1) Octopus Card: An Octopus Card is somewhat similar to a Charlie Card but has many more functions than a Charlie Card. They are very easy to get because they are available in every single MTR station. The card’s main function is traveling through the subway system (MTR) but it can also be used as a sort of debit card for the entire city of Hong Kong. Almost every restaurant and store throughout the whole city accepts payment from an Octopus Card. Essentially, by putting a substantial balance on the card you can bring it with you instead of bringing your whole wallet. Late night 7/11 trips are made much easier with the card. Lastly, and maybe most importantly, you can apply for a student copy which gives you 50% off on all student transport! Having one of these things is an absolute must!
2) Pollution: Hong Kong is a truly amazing city. Unfortunately pollution is a major issue in China and that includes this city as well. Pollution levels on the AQI (Air Quality Index) for Boston generally hover around 20-40 and in Hong Kong they can range anywhere from 80-200. Yes, you read that correctly but don’t worry because it is manageable. Despite this being high it is only dangerous if you are outside for a large portion of a bad day. When I did this I had some shortness of breath for a couple of days but the effects do not last that long. Luckily I now know about this and check the pollution level everyday just like I check the weather. It is not a big deal as long as you know to be conscious of it and be careful on particularly bad days.
3) Measurements: Just like everyone else in the world other than America, Hong Kong uses the metric system. This may not be that big of a deal on a short vacation but when you are living somewhere for 4 months it impacts your life. I have definitely had to adapt to using centimeters, kilograms, kilometers per hour, and celsius. Situations that require these measurements are more frequent than you might imagine. At the barber shop I needed to know how many centimeters I wanted to cut off. In the fitness center I was unsure of how many kilograms I would be able to lift. Finally, knowing Celsius is instrumental into knowing what to wear for the day.
4) Traveling the Islands: Hong Kong is actually a chain of islands that is centered around the main island, Hong Kong Island. HKU is located on this main island and the other partner Universities of Northeastern are located on Kowloon Island. It is extremely easy and worthwhile to explore the other islands of Hong Kong. Hong Kong Island is very famous but day trips to Kowloon, Lamma, and Lantau are all great. Lamma is a small tranquil island that has hiking trails and beaches. On Lantau some Westernized areas can be explored, including Hong Kong’s very own Disneyland resort. Kowloon is the second main island of Hong Kong. It has lots of bright lights and the buildings are much more modern, resembling New York City in some ways.
5) Traveling to Mainland: By the time you get your Hong Kong student Visa you have filled out tons of paper work, but I advise you to not stop there. Getting to mainland China is not too difficult for people coming from other countries. However, coming from the US makes it much more difficult. This process is made much easier if you apply for a Chinese Visa from the US, rather than from Hong Kong. Not only does it expedite the process, but it also limits the paperwork. Typically, students can take the 40 minutes trip across the border and visit Shenzhen with a special 5-day Shenzhen Visa. This is no longer available to US residents, forcing Americans to apply for a 10-year Chinese Visa. I am in the process of doing this, but wish I had taken care of it before I left. Luckily, every other country that I am visiting during my time here does not require a Visa for the length of stay I am planning as a US citizen.
6) Using Subway Stations: Many exchange students live on the bottom of the hill that HKU is actually located on, as I do. While a hill might not sound bad, it is extremely steep and combined with the heat and humidity of Hong Kong you will most likely be sweating by the time you get to campus. The entire first week of school I used this route to get to campus, always feeling gross by the time I arrived. Then, I discovered the underground route to campus. By entering through the subway, you can walk the entire path underground in air conditioning and then simply ride an elevator up to the top where the campus exit of the station is. When making numerous trips daily, this makes a world of difference. There is also a third exit, exit c, which leads towards the athletics facility/gym. Using this network of passages is way too convenient to not take advantage of. In lots of ways, it is quite similar to the Northeastern tunnels, although you are certainly not evading the cold weather here!
7) Laundry: The laundry system here is extremely convenient. I bought lots of laundry detergent pods before coming here but it turns out I did not even need them! Many of the laundry shops here charge an inexpensive price to wash and dry all of the laundry for you. They even FOLD IT FOR YOU. In total it costs me about $7.50 for a full load of laundry, which still astonishes me. You can pick it up approximately six hours later and they pack it nicely in a bag. There are of course traditional laundry facilities where you can still do your own if you don’t feel comfortable handing over your clothing, but the firms do a great job.
