“ But who can complain?”
DECEMBER 2016
“ But who can complain?”
FROM COPENHAGEN TO HONG KONG
by Maria Christiansen, a foreign exchange student from Denmark
From an apartment in Copenhagen to a mountain filled landscape in Hong Kong … That was my first thought when I saw my new home for the next four months. My name is Maria and I ' m from Copenhagen, Denmark. It was unreal that coming here was a reality; suddenly I was talking to Trinity from the International Office who I emailed months before my arrival. I had to become accustomed to the humidity and warm weather, eating with chopsticks, and not understanding the local language. I took a look around the campus and was amazed with the opportunities; we have a bank and a 7 / 11 on campus! This is new to me! In Denmark my campus had a canteen, but all these opportunities for sports activities, and restaurants-- this is new. But fair enough, I can get used to this! I am a big fan of the weather. I definitely feel sweatier than to what I was accustomed in Denmark, as we only have 20 degrees and low humidity, but who can complain? I have a beautiful view from my balcony at JC on the sixth floor and air conditioning in my room if I need it.
I came four days before the Orientation Week started, so I had some time to get around Tai Po and see how it functions with the shuttle bus and the Octopus card. It was in these days that I found out how helpful people are. They can definitely understand that you are a foreigner and from a different culture, but I also learned that smiling will make them laugh. Furthermore, I have learned the number song, so I have tried to sing it to the locals who I meet on my way, and they all laugh and understand me-- so it is just about showing them that I am interested in their culture! When everything had settled a bit more, I decided that I needed to take advantage of the awesome sports complex. I used to play soccer back in Denmark, but here I am able to join something new. On my way home from Tai Po with a friend, I could see the tennis team playing; I asked them if there was room for another player.
I wanted a picture of these people in their traditional clothing, and the mom said that she also wanted a picture of me. It is nice that we can help each other with experiencing different cultures.
I am now happily a member of the school’ s tennis team. I have practices every Tuesday and Thursday, and it is so much fun. One of the more interesting things is how everything is in Cantonese, so for me as an exchange student, I am forced to understand the local language. I am lucky due to the fact that some of the players gladly translate the directions from our coach to me. Yet, I like how the coach speaks in Cantonese, it forces me to learn some new words in a language that I do not know how to speak. I’ m enjoying my stay in Hong Kong, and at EdUHK; I cannot wait to experience more about the culture!
POSTMODERN PAINTING. Stella alternately paints in oil and watercolor
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