Submitted by Valerie Choy on the 2016 summer session program in Hong Kong sponsored by the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics…
One of the first things I noticed about Hong Kong is how alive this city is. No matter the day of the week or the time of day, people here are constantly up and running. Office buildings are still lit up at 11:00 at night because employees are still working. The nightlife here is not just Friday and Saturday or even the occasional Thursday through Saturday. The nightlife here in Hong Kong is weeklong – a complete Monday through Sunday. Places don’t close and people don’t stop working or dancing. The work ethic here and the night scene are both so intense. Hong Kong’s population gives the motto “work hard, play hard” a whole new definition. I have never seen or been surrounded by such a dedicated population of individuals. Hong Kong is truly the city that cannot sleep. Employees leave the office when the work is done, not when their scheduled business day ends. Individuals partying around the city literally dance until the sun comes up. It is such an experience just to witness this. As I’m writing this, I’m looking out of my window at one in the morning and I see dozens upon dozens of cars whipping to and from on the streets. I see so many windows in buildings still brightly shining. I’ve visited plenty of cities in my 19 years of life, but Hong Kong is definitely a one-of-a-kind city.
Another thing that stood out to me is how diverse this city is. If people think America is a melting pot, they clearly have never been to Hong Kong. I have never met so many people from so many different countries, religions and backgrounds. It was a very pleasant surprise and it’s been a really unique experience. I’ve met two Singapore soldiers who are passing through Hong Kong as they travel across all of Asia. I’ve met so many Australian and British individuals who are working, visiting or studying in Hong Kong. I’ve also met a lot of Hong Kong locals who have just returned from studying abroad in Australia, England or the States. I’ve met so many Mainland China citizens, Filipino workers, and Hispanic or Italian businessmen and women. After experiencing Hong Kong, I am truly convinced that Hong Kong is actually the world’s melting pot.
Despite the many differences I’ve seen and experienced here in Hong Kong, I surprisingly haven’t felt any culture shock. As Americanized as I am, I’ve always been very rooted to my Chinese culture. The culture here in Hong Kong is so similar to the culture in my household. I almost feel like Hong Kong is an extension of my home and childhood. The way the locals act on a daily basis are synonymous to how my relatives behave. The food, the language, the material goods all mimic bits and pieces of my upbringing as well. If anything, this program has made me appreciate the beauty of my culture. So much has already happened so far, and there’s still so much to experience. I’m quickly approaching the halfway point of this program and I’m slowly realizing that as long as two months seems, it’s still not enough time to completely explore this magnificent city. I really cannot wait to see how I feel and what I think by the end of this journey.