Unexpected Opportunities

October 3, 2015
Posted in: Griffith University, Student Blog, Study Abroad, Study Abroad Blog, Study In Australia, Uncategorized
Tags: Australia, blog, Business School, Griffith Mates, Griffith University, student blog, study abroad, study abroad blog, study at Griffith university, study in Australia, study overseas

Unexpected Opportunities

What a couple months it has been! Let me tell you, I thought I was lucky to just study in Australia but turns out, I got an opportunity to study in Hong Kong as well. I studied abroad, to study abroad again. I clocked up my frequent flier miles, that’s for sure!

I prefer the cold, being Canadian and all so it was a little bit saddening to leave Brisbane during its winter…(Northern Australian winter is like Calgary spring temperatures). Little did I know that Hong Kong’s weather, the summer, would be horrendous. We’re talking sticky, humid weather in one day then massive buckets of rain another. I just couldn’t keep up.

Everywhere we went, there’s always some form of Chinese food and I’ve had a taste of what it was in Calgary, Brisbane and Gold Coast. But Hong Kong’s was something totally out of this world. From a financial point of view, it was cheaper but most importantly, there was variety and certain dishes you can’t get. Like their desserts! Shaved ice desserts with ice cream with flavours infused with taro, ovaltine, durian (delicious but stinky) and soft tofu.

While the food was a highlight, the tourist locations were also one of a kind. Our group went to see Big Buddha, Avenue of Stars, Victoria Peak and Museum. And of course the night markets! You can’t go to Asia without checking out the markets!

With all the fun and games, I was here for study (sigh). It was a condensed course where I had to study a whole semester’s work in four short weeks. We also got to interact with CEO’s and executives of several Hong Kong businesses and startups!

Sleepless nights compounded with daily classes took its toll. At the end of it all, after arriving back in Australia, I had to wait to see if I passed the course because it would allow me to apply the credits to my Griffith degree. The result was given to me at the eleventh hour but after all the pressure, I was so relieved to have been able to progress.

All in all, studying abroad to study abroad again to experience more cultures, different learning styles and people was certainly something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. Don’t think twice about studying abroad just go for it!

Pictures courtesy of my new found friends Anggita Ilmariandy , Naphat Sattuyut and Tawan Suebjakin (as I was too busy studying and eating to take pictures haha)