The Great Wall- and not the Chinese Restaurant

If you are in Asia YOU MUST GO TO THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA. I have traveled all over the America's, Europe, Asia and even part of Africa, but the wall was one of my favorite places I have ever been to.

First things first- You need a visa. As an American you are required to get a 10 year visa, multiple entry. It'll cost around $1,500 HKD, but worth it, I've gone to China twice since I've gotten my visa. Everything needs to be booked before you can apply. I had to retake my picture several times because it has to be the perfect size, hair perfect, and most importantly no earrings!!! Make sure to make an appointment so you don't have to stand on line for hours.

We stayed at the Grand Millennium Hotel- OH MY GOD. The hotel definitely made the trip even more amazing. The first night we went to see the Olympic Stadium from 2008- if you go make sure it's at night. The lights are beautiful! DON'T FORGET TO PACK WARM CLOTHES!!! It was freezing-bring tons of layers.

The next day we took a tour to the Ming Tombs, a jade shoppe, tea shoppe, and last but not least the wall. It was amazing to learn about the culture in China. At the jade store I purchased a beautiful jade bracelet which should bring me good health. The tea store gave use a tea tasting where we were able to learn about different types of tea. The wall was amazing..... We went to the touristy part, if I ever go back I would love to walk along the more isolated parts. The one downfall was there were wayy too many people! And I went on a slow day!! But at the end of the day it was so worth it! 

The final day we walked around the Forbidden City- another beautiful day of touring. I also ate a scorpion while we were walking around the street markets- When in China!!

Chinese New Year

This Chinese New Year I went to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. At PolyU we have off the entire week for CNY which is basically your spring break. Traveling is ridiculously expensive during this week. My friend from CUA and I decided to go alone and travel to the three places. This is something that should have been planned before. Most people booked their trips the first week, but of course we waited and prices got more expensive. It was worth it to be able to travel to these new places.

Vietnam

The Boat trip to the village on the Mekong River.

Gooooood Morning Vietnam. On our flight to Vietnam we took Hong Kong Airlines and they upgraded us to first class. It was a great way to start our vacation! In Vietnam we went to Ho Chi Minh. I highly recommend to visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum! It was honestly one of the best museums I've ever been to. My best friends mom was born in Vietnam and her family still lived there. In Vietnam I was able to meet them. It was great to be able to meet them and hear all the stories they had of my friend and her mom! The second day there Grant and I took a tour to Upper Mekong River. Vietnam was one of my favorite places I have been to so far. They took us to a coconut candy farm, took a boat trip, as well as had delicious Vietnamese food. It was nice to see a part of Vietnam that wasn't the city. It was such a great experience I learn about the history and culture of Vietnam especially since I've heard so many stories from my friend's mom about her time during the Vietnam War and how she moved to America to have a better life. Stories like this make me extremely grateful that I live in the USA.

Cambodia

Cambodia was honestly my least favorite place I have visited. Since this trip was planned so last minute, we truly didn't have time to do research on where to go. We went to the capital Phnom Penh. We didn't do anything but walk around the city. If you are going to go to Cambodia visit Siem Reap!!

Thailand 

Thailand is the place where everyone needs to go! I wish I was able to travel all over the country and visit every part. Who knows maybe I'll come back in the future ;) Bangkok is such a fun city. It is worth it to pay to go into all of the museums and temples. The Buddhas are worth every cent. Asiatique was a fun shopping area to go that also had rides. If you're into the Hangover you need to go to Soi Cowboy! I was able to see where parts of one of my favorite movies took place. Everything was also incredibility cheap compared to the other places I have visited. While you're in Bangkok, make sure you buy a pair of elephant genie pants!! Everyone there wears them especially since it's so hot and you need to cover your body before entering temples. 

Let's see where my next adventure takes me!! 

Pre-Departure for the time of your life

After a month living in Hong Kong these are the tricks to survive.
Before I even began my time in Hong Kong there are a few items that need to be taken care of.

• The application process:

• I have been planning to study abroad in Hong Kong since freshman year at CUA. I knew this would be an amazing opportunity for me. I am studying Structural Civil Engineering with a minor in Management. I have been taking classes ahead of schedule since I arrived at CUA as well as during the summer. As a Junior I am 3 classes ahead and only have 1 more class for my minor. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND to not get behind on your tracking sheet. When you are in Hong Kong you will want to enjoy your time and explore, but you will also take 5 ridiculously hard classes.

• I am crazy and had to submit my application in June of 2017 when it was due in October 2017... I assumed if I submitted my application early I would get a decision earlier- I was so WRONG!! I still had to wait until November to hear back which honestly sucks since I couldn't book any tickets or actually be prepared (god forbid I didn't get accepted). I took my name off my lease in my apartment- thank goodness if you have the GPA you will be fine and get accepted (I hope).

• Talk to your professors about studying abroad. Dr. Abot and Dr. Massoudieh are both AMAZING. They will help you during the entire process. Talk to the Dean of your school before selecting classes- make sure they will actually count. Why would you study abroad if none of the classes will actually count for your major?? I am taking Hydraulics and Concrete Design along with 3 program electives. Since I have a minor and I wanted it to focus on Project Management I was able to talk to the right people when I was at CUA and 1 class here is counting for 2 back home. Make sure you get everything settled before you come here- you don't want to email your Dean to make sure a class will count then wait a day for a response (remember it's an 13 hour difference to EST).  

• Now you're actually accepted, what to do next?:

• After you submit your application the rest is a waiting game- I'm the type of person where I need to have everything organized and planned for the next three years of my life (I told you I'm crazy before). It's important to know everything, but not everything will go as planned. I found out I was accepted in November and was leaving in January. That isn't much time for me to prepare for being out of the country for 5 months. Once I got accepted the first thing I did was look for airfare- then I found out they didn't have an exact date of arrival... I had to wait longer and finally booked my ticket after Thanksgiving. All of my friends purchased round trip while I did a one way. We all paid the same amount for round trip and one way- but there was  no way I was telling my dad that, he'd kill me!! You're in Asia, let's be honest, when is the next time I'm going to be over here for a long period of time? I wanted to be able to explore as much as I could. Maybe I'll stay with my friend in Japan or backpack in Thailand with my roommate (stories about my roommate will be for another post!). It's already February and I still do not have a return ticket and this is the first time I'm ok with playing it by ear. Once I get back to America I will start my senior year then get a job, this is the real last time I am free without having to schedule time off work. 

• Packing was honestly awful for me! I struggled having a small closet in my apartment in DC and now I had to fit 5 months of my life in 2 suitcases that can only weigh 50 pounds each. Hong Kong is always warm even in January- complete opposite of New York, but if you want to travel to China or other parts of Asia it will be chilly. I'm fine in Hong Kong with a Patagonia pullover but bring a light jacket that can be folded. I know for a fact I over packed and I know my mom is saying I told you so- I will never admit to her that she was right! I brought a lot of clothes that if I got ruined I wouldn't mind throwing away. In case I don't have room in my luggage coming home I can throw out my basic v necks and what not and buy new ones back home. I also brought beauty supplies with me, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. They have everything here but if there is something you could not live without BRING IT!!! I love this one moisturizer I probably brought 3 bottles with me and I have no regrets. Remember you're not in a third world country they have H&M, Zara and even JCREW!! If you forgot something it won't be hard to find it here. 

• When you first arrive in Hong Kong you will be exhausted from your flight. I took a direct flight from JFK and it was 16 hours... that's a long time! Luckily for me, my friend got in 20 minutes after me and we took a taxi together to Hung Hom Halls. This is the hall all of the exchange students stay in, as well as locals. I recommend getting in the morning-noon. If you get in too late stores will be closed and it will be difficult to get everything for your first night. MY BIGGEST REGRET SO FAR: I should have brought a set of twin sets and towels!!!! Sheets, towels, a blanket, and pillow cost more money than anything else I have purchased here and it was FREEZING at night since they don't have any heat. I had to run around looking for a store that sold sheets the first day I got here. Thank god my mom bought me a sheet that is similar to a sleeping bag that I can bring when I travel, so I can make sure the sheets are clean, I just used that for the first few days. Here is the link for the sleep sack BEST PURCHASE! There is a store near the dorm called Aeon or as the exchange students call it 'the boat' since it looks like a boat in the middle of the street. Everything is there and you can find sheets and the best sushi in the world that is so cheap and discounted after 5! 

'The Boat'

This is basically everything you need to know about the pre-departure and what you will be expecting if you do travel abroad at Polytech in Hong Kong. One important thing- it will be extremely tough at the airport at least for my family it was. I'm an only child and have traveled a lot by myself and even studied in Italy for a month, but being away from my family for 5 months is tough. At the airport my mom was crying so much (I'm really happy she was-my luggage was overweight, but I think the lady felt bad for me and didn't charge me). But once I was on the plane I knew this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I couldn't dread on the fact I would miss my family and friends. 5 months might seem like a long time, but it's the 21st century facetiming is easy. Every morning when my moms at work and it's night here I call her and we talk for about 5 minutes and my friends are always available whenever I need to call them. The time difference does suck but it'll all work out- you'll get into a system when you know if they'll be available or not.