This page will be general observations about Hong Kong in general, its most significant differences from the States, and then some observations about the City University of Hong Kong (CityU). It may help to browse through some of these points to have a better grasp for what Hong Kong and CityU are.
General
- Hong Kong is very humid and hot in the summer. Depending on where you go indoors though, due to the air conditioner, the location may be extremely cold. In the summer, it is also very likely to rain (since it is a monsoon region), which cools off the heat (and pollution) a bit. Due to the drastic changes in termperature between the summer and winter and the lack of an effective heating system, the winters here can be very chilly as well. The best season to arrive would be in the fall, in which the weather is actually quite cool and comfortable, at around 15-20°C.
- Hong Kong is a densely-packed city, wtih Kwun Tong and Mong Kok being the most packed areas within Hong Kong.
- The main language of speaking is Cantonese, though most people here do also speak some Putonghua (Mandarin) and English. The main language for reading is traditional Chinese; most public areas also have English words. Though not as common, some areas do also have simplified Chinese.
- Hong Kong’s currency is Hong Kong dollar. About $7.8 HK is equal to $1 US.
- Hong Kong uses what is known as the Octopus Card (八達通).
- This card is used for public transportation, – this includes the MTR (mass transportation system, i.e. the subway), buses, and minibuses – parking areas, and some shops. The best way of describing it would be a mix of a debit card and New York’s MetroCard.
- Unlike the MetroCard, where the card has to be used to swipe, the Octopus Card may simply be scanned without removing it from the wallet or wherever the card is stored. Some people have also made it such that even everyday items, such as watches, function as the Octopus Card.
- When taking the MTR, the price depends on the distance traveled. This is determined based on when you first swipe in and when you swipe out. As such, there are also machines that allow you to purchase a specific ride pass. Due to the system used, you are allowed one ride that may in fact cause you to have a negative balance.
- Students (even university students like myself) can receive half price for Octopus Card usage in the MTR so long as an application is filled out. We don’t have that once you graduate from high school…
- Hong Kong has red, green, and blue taxis depending on where you board, with blue being least common.
Major differences from the United States
- The driver’s seat is on the right side, not the left. Cars drive on the left, not the right.
- Since this is not the US, Standard International (SI) units are used instead. That means kilometer and meter instead of foot and mile, and Celsius instead of Fahrenheit.
- Instead of individual stores, you are more likely to see many malls (plazas). Many areas do have individual stores though. You will also commonly see street markets.
- 7-11 is found in many areas in Hong Kong (albeit smaller). Here, you can refill your Octopus Card (in units of $50).
- You must have either a Hong Kong residence ID (if you are a local person) or a passport (if you are an international student) at all times. Police officers have a right to check to see if you have that identification. This is the only valid form of identification (i.e. driver’s license and student ID do not mean much in this respect).
- Due to previous occupancy by the UK, British English is used.
Other general differences and observations
- Much like how the same franchise may sell different items in different locations, Hong Kong’s franchises are no different. You may expect to find legitimate meals (not just fast food) at McDonald’s and Pizza Hut, for instance. These restaurants may sell rice meals or congee.
- I’ve noticed that once people are finished reading the daily newspaper, they give them to elderly people who collect them. I thought this was interesting because it just seemed so random the first time I saw it.
About CityU
A dorm room at CityU
- There are three academic buildings. Each academic building has a canteen.
- The first academic buidling (AC1) is comprised of five color zones: red, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
- It is one of the smaller universities in Hong Kong.
- As with other universities, there is a gymnasium, an outdoor pool, and practice rooms for piano. However, for some of these facilities (notably the music rooms), booking via Blackboard is required.
- There are dorms (halls), but exchange students (such as me) may not get priority. To compensate, the school helps in searching up places to rent.
- Contrary to what one may think, lectures are in fact conducted in English for the most part.
- Similar to the City University of New York (CUNY), the City University of Hong Kong is comprised of many schools and colleges. Unlike CUNY however, they are all close by, that is, within walking distance.
