"Keep Hong Kong in Your Heart"

Just like in the beginning of the semester, where we had our Welcoming Dinner, my university gave us an IASP End of Semester Gathering. They wanted us to arrive and leave with a full stomach :)

Dinner. For $120 HKD (about $15 USD), we were given a buffet of pork, ravioli, fried seafood, salmon, cream of mushroom soup, bread, and coco puffs. At the end, we were all stuffed. Let's also not forget my university's tradition of playing games and making champagne the prize. My friend at my table won us a bottle after correctly answering a few questions. Cheers to our last month together.

Message. One of the speakers informed us that we were a part of the "35th or 36th cohort" in the International Asian Studies Program. Although she could not recall which we were, it was still pretty amazing to hear, as I was expecting us to at least be past the 50th. Her colleague alongside her also reminded us to keep Hong Kong in our hearts even after we leave the university, and she continued on to say that some exchange students even got married and sent their kids to CUHK. Sadly, I don't think I'll be doing the latter half, but I will always remember Hong Kong and how it taught me so much within the five months I will be here. No matter how many times we may complain about how far our university is to other places or compare Hong Kong to other countries like Japan or Korea, I would not trade my experience at the Chinese University of Hong Kong for anything. The professors, staff, and students are so welcoming, the campus is gorgeous, and the wide range of cultural activities and events are endless. Hong Kong in general has so much for me to do that there are a few more things on my bucket list that I need to do before I leave.

In short, I am proud to be a part of the Chinese University of Hong Kong's "35th or 36th cohort." Hong Kong passed my expectations, and I will miss living here and being with the people I've grown to consider my closest friends. It might not be for a while, but I cannot wait to return again in the future. Hong Kong, you will always have my heart.