Ten Things I've Learned About Hong Kong (pt. 1)

1. Not everyone speaks English

I was fully under the impression that everyone here was fluent in English and more than willing to speak it. That is not the case. I would say less than 25% of people here can speak passing English. Even the students cannot speak English very well, even though all their classes are in English. It's very odd.

2. Never order a "sirloin steak"

I don't know what kind of meat it was, but it wasn't anything I've ever seen, or tasted, before. The food on whole is pretty lacking, that is unless you want a bowl of meat, noodles, and fried eggs for every meal. (sidenote: the eggs are also always served sunny side up, and they are not cooked all the way through. Not very appetizing) I bought some breakfast food and some peanut butter and jelly. They even have milk. Thank God for that.

3. You never need hot water

It is so hot here that I have yet to take a hot, or even warm, shower. Cold showers are a must.

4. Asian people are loud

It's really surprising how loud the locals talk to one another. They basically shout. I thought I was going to go insane in the elevator the other day because every person in there, aside from myself, was talking, actually yelling, at the person standing next to them.

5. Asians are not into physical activity

I don't know how Americans got the reputation for being lazy, but Asians are terrible. No one works out. No one would ever dream of taking the stairs. It's really surprising, coming from the hyperactive campus of BC, to see students take the elevator up, or even worse, down one level.

6. Time is relative

I am very anal about getting places, especially class, on time. The local students, however, see no problem strolling into class 40, 50 or even 60 minutes late in a class that only 80 minutes. The professors don't even say anything to them. I would have a fit if I were in their shoes.

7. But academics are still #1

It's kinda disconcerting to see a student walking out of the library at 11pm on the first day of class.

8. People are extremely friendly, except the people living in my dorm

Most people have been very nice to this little lost foreigner, but the locals living in my hall are not. They don't smile back when I walk past in the hall. I might just stop trying altogether.

9. Running is extremely difficult

The air here, no matter what time you go running, is extremely thick and moist. It is very hard to run in conditions like that. I went running on Tuesday night and had to stop after twenty minutes because I thought I was gonna pass out. I think I have to slowly acclimate myself to the air.

10. International students are great

I've met a lot of great people since my arrival, and I am very glad for that.