by Ann Ku
I reminisced on all my good memories, sorrowfully said my goodbyes, packed my bags, and headed back to the US. Though I was happy to see my family, life back home has honestly consisted of a lot of ruminating…
On My Way Home…
One of the main reasons I studied abroad this semester is because I had been thinking about moving to Asia in the future. I wanted to take the chance to experience what it’s like to live abroad for a longer period of time. Thus, I spent the summer and fall abroad in Taiwan and Hong Kong, respectively. Coming back to the US honestly was really hard for me, and I felt a lot of homesickness for Asia.
Hong Kong Nighttime Skyline
Asia and the US are very different.
For one, life in the US is more spread out geographically. Most people have their own home or apartment complex and drive to their destinations and back. In Hong Kong, a large majority of people travel through the MTR – Mass Transit Railway. While I was there, I really enjoyed going on the MTR surrounded by people and sounds. Moreover, wherever I walked on the streets, crowds of people filled the areas. Many of my friends found this to feel claustrophobic, but I actually found it really nice to be like a community.
Crowd at The Peak
Another big part of my experience was being able to embrace the other half of my identity. Born and raised in the US, I’ve been used to the American lifestyle, culture, values, and even surroundings. The culture in Hong Kong is very different. Interacting with local Hong Kong students really widened my perspectives. For example, in Hong Kong, all high school seniors must take the public exam to enter university. The exam consists of many parts with a threshold for each part that all students must pass. As a result, a large number of students each year do not pass the public exam and have to wait one year to study and retake the exam. Understanding this part of their life really led me to realize how differently we grew up. Many say that Hong Kong students study a lot, but it’s important to understand how hard it is to even get into university. With that in mind, having hardworking students makes sense!
Beyond everything I mentioned, there were so many other things that I experienced and learned! But, if I were to sum it up, I’d say that it’s definitely important to travel or even to make friends from different cultures and hear their story and culture. It changes your life!