Australia Day

Today is Australia Day. The Aussies here got everyone super excited for it and a bunch of exchange students flooded the residence lawn and set up shop to barbeque all day. It was amazing. It was amazing because we all supported their day. They were excited and we got excited with them. Reminded me of the Bible verse in Romans 12 stating "rejoice with those who rejoice." The exchange students definitely lived by this verse today.

Today was truly indicative of my experience here so far. Amazing. It's hard to put into words, but at the most fundamental level, life here is awesome because I live with 450 international students who all come from different cultures, backgrounds, and religions, but the most important factor (as I have stated in earlier posts) is that we are all human. That is the only similarity that one needs to belong here. Everyone is hungry to learn about other cultures and to share their own story. It has been so refreshing to be in a place with very little judgement. I have already learned so many things and had great conversations with everyone. Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Australians, Saudi Arabians, Iraqis, Europeans, Africans, Asians- it doesn't matter, everyone has something to give. Everyone represents a unique culture and has a value-adding story to tell.

However, the biggest thing I have learned in my experience in Hong Kong so far is that it is OK to be myself. Although I have learned so much from other cultures and religions, I have also grown to love and appreciate my own on a new level. This is not to say that my culture and religion are flawless, because they are most certainly not. However, I am proud to share my culture as well. I am proud to contribute to the melting pot of Hong Kong. I am American. I am a Christian. I am from the humble midwest. I am Landon. And I have never been more comfortable or proud to say so.

It's interesting, really- That it took traveling to the other side of the world to finally feel most comfortable in my own skin.

Culture Shock

Since coming to Hong Kong, I have not really experienced culture shock in the sense that I am anxious or overly stressed due to a difference in lifestyle- that being said, there are some cultural norms and customs here that are extremely hard to get used to.

The biggest difference I've noticed is the expectation to obey without question- it seems as if most of the locals live their lives in complete subordination to rules and regulations. For example, when I first arrived I did not have a student ID. Apparently the student ID is necessary for one to scan into the dorms- so, because I didn't have it the first few days, every time I wanted to enter my building I had to have a 10 minute conversation with the guard (who I have explained this to many times) because he was so intent on following procedure- intent to the point of being irrational in my opinion.

I am not suggesting that rules are bad or unimportant, it is just different because people follow them without question here. If you know me well, you know I don't like being told what to do- just ask my parents. So, it is definitely an adjustment coming here and being expected to obey without question. I guess the "without question" part is what bothers me the most- I want to question. I want reasons. I want to know why I am expected to behave in a certain way. And this desire is something that even Hong Kong can never take away.

You also see this attitude of rule following and subordination in the classroom. The professors, for the most part, encourage class participation, but if there is someone talking in class, it is always an international student. I am not sure if it is because they do not want to speak aloud in English (which is probably the case) or if they do not want to question the professor's ideals. In my experience at IU, the professors encourage debate and critical thinking- so far, most of the lectures have been three hour monologues, so I may have to start participating more just to keep myself from going insane.

Another big difference is obviously the food. I have had some of the most amazing meals in my life here, and I have also had some of the most repulsive- the trick is finding a local who can spot out the good places because there are literally thousands of choices in any given area of the city and there are definitely some hidden gems. Last night, I had the chance to go out with a local friend I made named Alson. He took me to a hot pot restaurant in Mong Kok that was absolutely killer. I can't wait to come back with my family and take them there. Among some of the more interesting things we cooked in the pot were pig intestines and cow stomach. We also threw in some normal things like oysters and beef, but even the more bizarre stuff actually tasted very good. I will have to make my mom and sisters try the more adventurous options. ;)

 Also, they don't split bills here, so that gets a bit obnoxious when you're out with a group of twenty plus.

One thing I absolutely love about this culture is the non-stop, fast paced life. Every time I got into the central part of the city, I just take a moment to look up at the beauty of all of the skyscrapers and realize how blessed I am to have an opportunity like this. It's unbelievable to look around and see the beauty and brilliance that humans are capable of creating. Other than the sky scrapers, the best example of human efficiency and brilliance can be seen in their subway system. It's amazing how many people can be moved from point A to point B in such a short amount of time and how easy it is to switch from one line to another. The signs are excellent and it actually makes a really complex city seem relatively simple.

All in all, Hong Kong, although much different, has provided me with such an enriching experience so far and I can't wait to learn more.

Mong Kok

The last two days I have spent a decent amount of time in an area of Kowloon called Mong Kok. This place is absolutely insane- it is the most densely populated place in the world. People literally everywhere. It is definitely not a great destination for the claustrophobic.

Mong Kok is full of markets selling anything from bogus Kobe Jerseys, to HK souvenirs, to any kind of jewelry you can imagine. What's really cool about shopping here, though (other than the fact that I bought an awesome Notre Dame snap back for about 5 dollars) is the fact that all prices are negotiable. The original price of my hat was about 25 dollars, but I was able to talk the lady down to a more "reasonable" price. It's a really great place to practice your negotiation skills- if you're a fan of garage sales or Pawn Stars and you don't mind getting bumped into every now and then, Mong Kok is the place for you.

Mong Kok is also the place to buy crazy kabobs from street vendors. I haven't worked up the courage to try the intestines quite yet, but I'm sure I will give it a whirl before I leave.

As I walk around the congested areas- which is essentially everywhere, I am constantly amazed at how efficient this city is. From the queuing line at fast food restaurants, to the subways that move thousands of people at every stop, to the massive sky scrapers, it is amazing to see how the people of HK have adapted to their environment and surroundings to accommodate 7 million people living in 30 square miles.

Seeing how Hong Kong has adapted to their space premium issue constantly reminds me of an old saying that my Dad told me my grandpa used to say referring to being dealt a bad hand in life

"when you learn how to play with those cards, we will give you some new ones."

Hong Kong may have been dealt an unfortunate hand as far as space and land is concerned. But spending even a few days in this city, it becomes abundantly clear that they know how to play their cards right, and it is beautiful to see the brilliance of which humanity is capable.

Hot Pots: Equality at its Finest

Hot Pots. Essentially they are the HK version of Flat Top Grill. The way it works is brilliant and simple- a table of 10 gathers around two boiling pots heated by hot plates ( a massive fire hazard, and as my insurance agent and long time family friend, Brad Taylor, would say “an insurance nightmare”) - one full of spices and the other a more mild version full of vegetables and some other random stuff. The restaurant in general is outside is very simple. It is located under a tent very similar to one that you would see at a festival in the US, and there are people everywhere. Once everyone goes through a line and picks their respective meats and vegetables (oysters for me, of course) they take their plates back to the table and dump the contents into the pot. A few minutes later, when all has been cooked, everyone digs in with chopsticks. It’s a brilliant dining model- from both a social and business perspective. Very cheap fixed cost overhead, and everyone gets to eat exactly what they want without the added cost associated with hiring a cook.

More impressive than the cuisine, however, was the dynamic of the exchange student group. Being around 50-60 other students from all corners of the world and hearing stories about their respective cultures, customs, and ways of life was astounding and humbling. From the Nordic countries, to Europe, to Asia Australia, and South America- five continents (including my own) were represented at my table. I am starting to realize more and more that this is why I came to Hong Kong. To be challenged. To learn. To grow. And most importantly, to understand that being American does not necessitate being ethnocentric.

I will never forget last night- the night that the nations gathered together in Hong Kong as equals- as one collective unit of students eager to befriend one another and learn about cultures different from their own. There are no labels here. Talking about ones country is simply a conversation starter. It is not a superiority-measuring contest. Everyone is equal here. No one talks about how shipping jobs “overseas” is bad. No one talks about how “illegal” immigration is the “biggest” problem facing his or her nation. For once, everyone is human. Everyone is equal. And we all desire to listen rather than speak. To learn rather than teach. I realize now, more than ever, that the culture of Hong Kong may be one of the most fundamentally human and Christ-like places I have ever experienced.

In a way, the hot pot dining experience accurately represents Hong Kong in a very fundamental way. Everyone living here may come from a different background- everyone may choose different ingredients to throw into the pot. However, each ingredient serves an influential and instrumental purpose by adding flavour and accents to all of the other ingredients added to the pot. While we may all come from different backgrounds, we all end up rubbing off on one another- and this occurs for the enhancement of the entire pot. We rub off in a way that adds flavor. We rub off in a way that adds value. We rub off in a way that accents weakness. We rub off in a way that compensates wisdom in areas where there is a lack of knowledge. Hot Pots are representative of HK because they are a literal melting pot of flavor and ingredients. Hong Kong is a melting pot of ideas and cultures. And damned be the man who thinks his flavour should overpower any other. 

Earthquake- Unexpected beginnings.

Goodness, it is extremely difficult to wrap up my first two days in HK in a short enough blog that any rational human being has time to read. That being said, my first two days here have been absolutely incredible- in every literal sense of the word. In the US, many times we use words like “incredible” or “unbelievable” to describe phenomena such as video games or a mediocre football catch in a regular season game of very little consequence. However, I wish to convey my experience as incredible in every literal sense of the meaning- “unlikely to be true” or more accurately, “difficult to understand.” That has been my experience in HK thus far- impossible to understand without experiencing it personally. And I say that from more than just a culture shock perspective. I say that because I spent the first day of my time in HK with one of the most amazing people I have ever met- more on that in a bit.

            Initially, I say that HK is incredible, because unless you have been to Ladies Market in Kowloon and seen over 140K people living within a square kilometer you probably have not experienced what I am talking about. I mean wall-to-wall people as far as the eye can see inundating the local markets with billboards and fake iPods and Mac Books in abundance . Also, there is no sense of “personal space” because there is absolutely none to give. If someone bumps into you, which occurs AT LEAST every 15 seconds, there is no apology because it is completely normal- the way of life in Kowloon.

            Hong Kong also made an initial impact on me with its absolute breath-taking skyline. I was able to venture out to the harbor about a half mile away from my hotel and see the light show that occurs every night. It was absolutely stunning. Aside from the light show, which was actually very anticlimactic in comparison to the initial view of the Central Hong Kong district itself with the insane lights, the weather and breeze of the Pacific air added an element to the skyline view that created an instant sense in my spirit that simply stated, “Life is about experiencing moments this.” It is amazing to look at the skyline and gargantuan boats in the harbor and think- “Wow, mankind is capable of producing some extremely beautiful things.”

 And, I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this first moment that I saw the HK harbor that I would never be the same and I would never deny that man is capable of extreme beauty. In a world of madness and chaos, we are also capable of producing masterpieces. That’s what Hong Kong initially meant to me and I will never forget that initial shock. I know, it sounds absolutely cheesy and sophomoric, but unless you have seen the skyline of Hong Kong Island in person, I consider you opinion about as much as I’d consider a Fox News report on progressive liberal thought in America.

            I also say that this trip has been amazing so far because of my first day I spent with a new friend, Peter, hailing from the small, but mighty Ireland.

            I met Peter via a family friend and he was so gracious with his time and effort by agreeing to meet me at a train stop in HK when I first arrived.

Instead of taking me directly to my hotel, Peter insisted on offering his time in order to show me around the city. He also prefers Guinness, Americano’s, and U2, so we partook in all three endeavors throughout the day.

I spent the day following Peter and taking in as much of the city as I could. We also had the chance to talk about our upbringings in family life, politics, and religion, and I can say with much confidence that our conversations challenged me in more ways than I can currently express. Peter had a great deal of perspective and wisdom to share with me and I will never forget his hospitality or willingness to share his life and beliefs with me.

Sometimes you get lucky in life. Sometimes you meet people like Peter who are connected to you in a very uncommon and authentic way. And even more of an anomaly is this- sometimes these people connect with you and completely engage with you in a way that challenges how you see the world. That person, without any fraction of doubt, was Peter for me- and I am so thankful that Hong Kong, within less than 24 hours, has begun to shape me and change my life for the better.

God bless good conversation, new challenges, espresso drinks, pints of Guinness, and most properly, the IRISH!

Ready, Set, Hong Kong.

There are moments in life that that we define as “life changing.” Sometimes we are aware of these moments before they occur, and other times they happen unexpectedly. For me, I am acutely aware that the trip to Hong Kong on which I am about to embark will forever change and shape my life. As I reflect on my life thus far, I have encountered many challenges and have experienced many opportunities that have allowed me to grow intellectually, relationally, existentially, spiritually, etc. I expect Hong Kong to provide growth opportunities in all of these arenas.

When first telling people of my plans to study abroad in Hong Kong, I am usually then inundated with many questions regarding why I chose this as the place, out of many, to study abroad. If you know me at all, you know that making this decision was not done without much thought and calculation. So, the short answer to that question is this:

1.     I chose to go to Hong Kong because I have been to both Eastern and Western Europe and wanted a chance to experience a part of the world that was completely different.

2.     I am a business student, studying finance and economics. Studying in Hong Kong lends itself as a unique opportunity to study in the “hub” of the Asian business world. With one of the world’s busiest ports, flourishing economies, and unique style of government and free trade, Hong Kong offers me the chance to study my field from a completely fresh perspective. And I love to learn- about anything, really, but especially about business. So, Hong Kong seemed like a great place to do it.

3.     Hong Kong is warm year round and is located near the Tropic of Cancer. Aside from ski trips with my buddies, I really have zero desire to ever be cold, so this was an added bonus of studying here.

4.     As you could probably gather from point number two- Hong Kong is a happening place. It is a massive city as far as population is concerned, however, over 7 million people are confined to a space that is roughly 30 sq. miles in land area (about the size of Adams County, Indiana)- hence, the local government had to get creative with the ways in which it manages its daily operations such as traffic, public transportation, etc. I can’t wait to see this brilliant engineering at work first hand.

5.     Hong Kong is set in a great location as a hub to travel to other areas of Southeast Asia. I am about an hour train ride from Mainland China, and few hours away via plane ride from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam. I can’t wait to use this as an opportunity to explore.

I could go on forever about the reasons in which I chose to study in HK, but as I post my adventures on this blog, I think the reasons will become self-evident.

I realize that trips like this are truly very rare- many never get the opportunity to embark on such journeys. Because I have been blessed with so much, including this opportunity to live in another culture for an extended period of time, I want to ensure that I do everything in my power to take the most away from the experience. In my next post, I plan to share a few of my goals for the trip. I also plan to post as much as possible in order to keep all of my friends and family updated on my adventures.

Finally, before I leave, I must say thank you. If you have made it this far in the thread, chances are that you are either a close friend or family member. I want to take the time to say thank you to all of you for your love and support throughout the years. It is because of you that trips like this are possible, because no matter where I go in the world, our friendships provide the foundation from which I build my life and grow in character. Although I may not see most of you in person for quite some time, I truly treasure and value each conversation and each chance we have to spend with one another. It is in these times that I feel at home. Home has always been about people to me. It’s never revolved around a house or a city. So thank you. Thank you, friends and family, for providing me with many homes and safe places Through your conversations, friendship, and love, you have all had major influences on my life and have shaped me for this moment- the biggest adventure I’ve ever taken. And I know you have prepared me well.

More to come…