Tufts Blogs

Hey there!

It’s been about a month since I’ve arrived here in Hong Kong. And the trip so far has been thought-provoking. Below, you’ll see a graph that many universities use to describe how one will feel on a typical semester abroad. Now, I don’t disagree that this is how my some of my fellow Jumbos in Hong Kong feel, but you must understand. This is my 21st time visiting Hong Kong.

I made a list of habits that I wanted to implement in the new year. I told myself that I would do a better job of keeping in touch with my family back home. I told myself that I would blog at least once a week. And lastly, I told myself that I would do something that makes me uncomfortable every day. The great thing about being part of a Tufts Study Abroad program is the numerous organized trips that are put together by the Resident Director (shout out to Dr. Vera Yip). A while ago, we went on a trip to Lamma Island, one of the outlying islands of Hong Kong. A group of my friends and I saw a dark path, and against the wishes of Vera, decided to hike up. After about 30 minutes passed, and after passing by a bunch of grave sites and abandoned houses, we broke out of the foliage. 

We’d made it to summit of Lamma Island. Well, actually we stopped a bunch of times along the way, but I think you get the idea. I’m truly hoping that the rest of this semester is filled with more moments like this. Ones that have me, unathletic me, hike high up a mountain. High enough that the hawks seemed to stay at our level. And then perch myself on a rock outcropping and throw up a modified superman.

I’m hoping to be blogging a lot more frequently this semester. About long distance relationships. About travelling around southeast Asia. About taking engineering classes while abroad. About third spaces and never truly feeling at home.

I’m excited that you’ve come along for the ride.

Stay Golden,

Vincent Hwang