September 2009 Archives

It has been two weeks since my last entry, but it doesn't mean that there was any less going on.

Food

One thing that is quite achievable is to eat out for dinner each night. Yes, you are not looking at it funny: each night. Affordably, healthily, and from a large selection. It's not often you eat out everynight, forgoing eating back on-campus at the local canteens or in the hostel kitchen. I didn't want to buy pots and pans for one semester's meals, bringing them back with me. Although sometimes I think as to whether I will return fatter due to the amount of non-home cooked meals, or thinnner due to a potentially healthier diet.

 Shopping

Hong Kong's reputation as a location for near-endless shopping is thoroughly intact. Not only are there the many malls/shopping complexes, but also the renown street markets are thriving with various goods (Tai Po, Temple Street, Ladies Market, etc.). They all sell items that can be negotiated (aka Haggled) for, if you know what to say. They may also carry calculators, but it doesn't mean you will get the cheapest price.

Nightlife

The nightlife, especially in an area called Lam Kwai Fong (LKF) is known for its many nightclubs and bars. It's common to see students from many universities moving (by however means) back to their hostels early in the morning. Thursdays are also Ladies' Night in LFK.

Location and Proximity

Given a break, and it does happen, especially during the lazy Sunday, take a trip to the Mainland or any other areas around south-east Asia (i.e. Macau). You may need a visa for some areas, but it's better than sitting around in your room staring at the side of a hill during that time.

Hostel Life

If you have not read into the make-up of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), then you most likely don't know that CUHK is comprised of four colleges: Chung Chi, New Asia, Shaw, United. Each college has a set of hostels which, combined, house half of the student population. International students, which includes the exchange students, may instead choose to stay at the I-House. Recommendation: I-House may seem like a great idea, but in my opinion it is not. Some student helpers like to talk about each of the colleges and their attributes in terms of canteen, gyms, class proximity, etc. but go silent when you say you are at the I-House. O-week in the hostels is a great time to interact with fellow hostel-mates, participating in activites for bonding and making new friends. It's also part of the culture of CUHK, and each of its colleges. As an analogy I heard, it's like "Hogwarts and the Four Houses."

Recently, I have joined a few clubs within CUHK (none of them are archery) and participated in trips put organised by IASP, the international centre in CUHK.

The number and variety of international students in CUHK is extensive. The number of students is approximately 450, and range from:

*       America
*       China
*       Canada
*       Germany
*       Italy
*       France
*       Poland
*       Sweden
*       Korea
*       Singapore
*       UK
*       Mexico
*       Australia
*       Kuwait

I'm almost sure I got them all, but one thing is certain: I am the only kiwi. Definitely makes for an interesting start to a conversation.

The university itself is something that needs mentioning. It would be wrong otherwise. The campus 135 acres and is spread across the side of a very steep hill. This hill can make for some really good cardio workout. On one of the many bright sides, the views from the many hostels is astounding - especially during the night. To help offset some of the effort required to scale and transverse the hillside, there are free shuttle buses and lifts in the campus, effectively cutting around 10min off your time travelling. The facilities here are both extensive, efficient and most off all cheap. Extensive in the library resources. The library statuses of each book is traced online, and you can gain access to texts off campus from other universities such as Hong Kong University. There is a 'dairy' on campus that sells most essentials, and you can have breakfast at a canteen for just over NZ$3.
What makes the most of my semester so far is the number of students whom I have met in the past week, and experiencing some of HK's attractions in good company (i.e. Victoria Peak, Avenue of Stars, Symphony of Lights, etc.). It is also nice to have a nice, cold beer at the end of a hot day. On the other hand, I can't really say much about drunken antics yet.

And to think that I have only begun the actual semester at CUHK.

We have neither been to the Hamilton Gardens nor to the zoo yet, but the campus with its flowers, trees, lakes, ducks, hares, birds, amongst others, has been scintillating with hundreds of colours during spring. Me and my wife are experiencing spring for the first time, since in Mauritius, which is a tropical country, we have summer and winter only. I guess this might be the reason why we  stare in awe and marvel at the beauty of the spring flowers, each time we go for a walk on the campus.

Everything is blooming most recklessly on the campus and this explosion of colours is a real pleasure to the eyes. 

  I celebrated my seventh month in New Zealand last August 20, so I look back at my favorite moments since arriving at Hamilton on the 20th of January. 2009 is such an eventful year for me, and because I got to be part of all the action, I think it is a good time to be an international student at Waikato this year.

I remember my NZAID scholar friends, who helped me feel so welcome and at home here at Waikato. I remember my mates in Orchard Park, international students and locals alike, and how we bonded through sports, food festivals, and parties. We eventually became good pals.

I remember my first friends Berthina Auguste-Walter from Saint Lucia (the Caribbean), Chandan Boodhoo from Mauritius, Kerren Vali from Papua New Guinea, and my Timor Leste flatmates Kika, Ani, and Tina. We had good times, and we still do, whenever we get the chance to get together and catch up.

I remember my neighbors and Ultimate-disc buddies Thomas Debacker, Truels Dentler, and Philippe Thuaud. They brightened up my day each time we let discs fly in the Uni field (or on any patch of green!), and they are great companions to any grand food buffet. I miss Thomas (who went back to France to run marathons and teach Ultimate to willing French disciples) and Truels (who went back to Germany to take salsa dancefloors by storm). I am glad Philippe is still here to keep me company, and to bring me delicious Melting Moment cookies from Grey St. Kitchen every now and then. Merci beaucoup, Cheri.

My current flatmates Kaya Boonputh (Thailand), Shoko Kita (Japan), and Amrita Maan (India/Auckland) are wonderful flatmates, and never fail to keep our flat a lively place to be in. My favorite people next-door-- Amar Durakovic (Croatia), Johanna Berheide (Germany), and Carolyn Thomson (Tauranga)-- are fantastic people...I can rely on them whenever I need to get that quick cinema fix (Chartwell movie night, neighbors!)

I suppose the best moments about NZ-Hamilton-Waikato events are with the people we meet. These people make our stay in the University worthwhile. I thank God for them everyday. (Amen!)

  Most NZAID scholars and their dependants turned out for the ‘NZAID Scholar Support Evening’ organised today by the Waikato International Office at the Guru Phabians Lounge. This event was an opportunity to get together as a group during this teaching recess, have some fun (the children enjoyed having their faces painted!), share some words with friends we haven’t met for some time and take a group photo of the NZAID family at the University of Waikato.

Staff members of the Waikato International Office, Huy Vu, Matt Sinton and Christine Kokiri, made mini-speeches each since they didn’t want the evening which they had promised to be an entertaining one, turn into a boring one. But most of all, those three ensured that we all had a good time and we did.

Well, well, the picture below shows the good spirit that prevailed during the get together!