If I had to sum up the last five months in two words, it would have to be Absolutely Perfect! My name is Sam (short for Samantha :P) and I’m a third-year Mass Communication student at Ngee Ann Poly. For the last few months, I have called Hong Kong home while completing my 20 weeks of industrial attachment at a local public relations company.
It seemed like only yesterday when my friends thronged Changi Airport in what my mum best describes as “an epic national day parade formation” when they fanned out from hiding behind a pillar at the departure gate.
That’s me in the Marilyn Monroe Tee in the front row with my awesome friends who came to see me off at the airport. (-waves- HI GUYS! I MISS YOU!!) It was hard to say goodbye but an adventure awaited me.
There’s a lot to love about Hong Kong…
‘Xiao Long Baos’ (soup dumplings) the size of your fist, and the extremely efficient transportation system. Tram rides are only HK$2 aka SG$0.40 per trip!
INSANE SHOPPING! Cue famous Nue Yan Gai or ‘Ladies Market’ in Mongkok! And some of the most gorgeous sights! :) This is the view from my apartment window! On the left is the Hong Kong Jockey Club that has weekly horse races. On Wednesday nights, I sit on my window still sipping a drink and watch the little horsie butts in the distance. Very cute.
I love how Hong Kong has all these old buildings and street signs with so much character!
3am. Hong Kong by night is surreal.
Huge signboards that extend and hang over the road. Bathed in the light of Hong Kong, everything seemed fascinating, even the neon lights reflected off the harbour. :)
Another perk- trips to neighbouring countries over long weekends and public holidays! I had the opportunity to visit Macau with some friends who were also in Hong Kong. It felt kind of strange seeing so much European-inspired architecture in Asia.
But it was without a doubt, an amazing experience. Here are my favourite shots from the trip:
Cobbled streets that are so European! Macanese money (funny story about money: I’ve been so used to seeing the Hong Kong currency that when I found two 20-cent coins from back home it took me awhile to realise what they were!).
HUGE STACKS OF BAKKWA! Plus! Portuguese Eggtarts (or Pastel de Nata!)
The most famous landmark of Macau and one of my favourite places- the ruins of St. Paul’s. That's me on the right in brown crouching over to take a photo, courtesy of my good friend Jarrel.
You know what’s the most awesome thing about being here? Not only did I get to choose the company I’m attached to (alternatively most academic schools attach you to your internship companies!) but I’m also using the money from my Edusave to help finance my stay here (loads of subsidies are available too!).
Things here have definitely been a lot more different but when I leave in a couple of days, I know I will have memories to last a lifetime and the experience of working in a “foreign” environment.
Here I am at a Hewlett Packard product launch with my colleagues.
While it took awhile to get over the initial culture shock of living in a country where business is conducted in Cantonese (yes, that means every one of my work meetings and events!) things here have been nothing short of exciting and inspiring.
I sit here now taking in, for one of the last times, the breathtaking view from my cubicle. Tall, modern buildings and old, derelict ones are juxtaposed against breath-taking greenery. Behind me, a beautiful harbour beckons with ships and yachts each carrying their own little story and memories.
I cannot believe that time has passed so quickly. It's been such a great experience and as I prepare to leave for home, I can’t help but feel a pang of bittersweet longing for Hong Kong. I leave behind a piece of my heart, but am taking a lot more in return: lessons, experiences and memories that I know I will be recounting to my children and grandchildren for ages to come. :)