By Maya Haziza
Its crazy to think that I arrived in my apartment in Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong just 5 months ago. I remember sitting in the back of my taxi from the airport and seeing the city lights of Hong Kong from and feeling so much excitement about the unknown journey I was about to embark on. I have now visited so many countries in Asia, but there is something very, very special about living, studying, and now working in Hong Kong. Most people who are unfamiliar with China and Asia in general can’t exactly picture what it is like to live in a city like this and little do they know that Hong Kong is also an island. The reason I love this place so much is because it is the most fast paced, dynamic, disorganized, exciting, and beautiful place in the world. It was easy to transition to living here because most people in Hong Kong speak English in certain areas and the city is filled with expatriates living and working abroad. After noticing the amount of international expats who are now so synthesized into the city, it showed me that being outside of your comfort zone is sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself. Many people are not brave enough to pick up their things, move to a foreign country, and start their lives from scratch. But I think that this exact challenge is what makes the people in Hong Kong different than any other city. In Hong Kong – there is comfort in discomfort and there is a ceiling for possibility higher than you can imagine. I have met people from all over the world simply by sitting at cafes and starting up a conversation and even landed an interview for a company based in LA, when meeting someone in Hong Kong. The connections are endless and I strongly urge people studying abroad or planning to – to take advantage of every single moment of every single day and to talk to as many people as possible, no matter where you are. Casual and professional connections are the greatest assets a person can have and can get you very far if you are genuine and trust in people. Be kind to others and be open, because you never know where it will take you.