Week 15: Professional and Personal Blog (5/5/12)

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page”- St. Augustine.

I literally cannot believe that I am sitting writing my final blog. The question ‘where has time gone?’ is thrown around regularly, but I am genuinely surprised that time has gone so fast. This experience has been amazing, and the fact that it is all coming to an end is actually quite saddening, but as the saying goes ‘all good things must come to an end’.

I can remember the looks that Heather and I exchanged when we landed in Hong Kong, and the question ‘what are we doing here?’ was asked on numerous occasions, particularly during our first week of culture shock, and when the sheer scale of our adventure seemed intimidating. Yet, here we are, fifteen weeks down the line, and looking back at our time here as the best opportunity that we have ever been given.

Obviously as future teachers, gaining experience in teaching in Hong Kong was a priority of ours. Comparing and contrasting Hong Kong’s education system with that of Northern Ireland has helped us to appreciate the positive aspects of the curriculum which we are so used to, as well as giving us a chance to see where Hong Kong comes out on top, and hence giving us plenty of ideas that we both hope to introduce within our future classrooms. I also never expected that teaching English as a second language would be so different from teaching it back home, but this learning experience has taught me so much about my delivery during lessons, namely my diction and the pace of my voice.

5A

6B

I was incredibly thankful to have been placed with Miss Mak over the past three weeks, and it was great to learn from and observe her in action. Miss Mak’s relationship with both classes that I was placed with was very meaningful, and she actively cares for the children in her care. This quality is something which I really respect, and being the children’s friend, as well as their teacher, is a great way to keep them motivated in their learning. I wholeheartedly wish that I will develop and be shaped into a teacher like Miss Mak, and become someone who treasures their friendships with the pupils, and to support the students in the highs and lows that they experience in their journey through life. Although it is more ideal, in my opinion, for the children to have the same class teacher all day long, as opposed to a more specialist education, Miss Mak has put extra efforts into developing friendships with the children, and in overcoming this potential barrier to building more meaningful relationships with the students.

Miss Mak, Jason and I.

The children in my classes responded very positively to my interactive approach to teaching, and they really enjoyed playing some games at the end of each class. I also used ‘WALT’ and ‘WILF’ consistently with my classes, and after some getting used to, it really helped the pupils to be more targeted with regards to what they were learning, and it also gave me the opportunity to decipher between students who perhaps needed more assistance with certain concepts and those who didn’t by asking the children if they felt the learning intentions were achieved. In addition to this, I’ve learned a considerable amount of other lesson and activity ideas which I will be able to implement into my future classroom.

Teaching 5A about phrasal verbs.

First and second place of 'Mr Scott says'.

The children's favourite game to play is 'heads down, thumbs up'.

This week both Heather and I embraced further opportunities to visit some of the students at their homes. On Monday, I travelled to Jacob’s home and both he and his father brought me to a local restaurant for some traditional food- they were both very impressed by my chopstick skills! Jacob’s English proficiency was obviously quite low as he was only six years old, and as a result, communication with him was quite difficult. However, being with him actually allowed me to put my very limited Cantonese knowledge to the test, and I actually surprised myself at how quickly I was able to pick up some of the phrases he was teaching me. On Thursday, my third and final home visit took place. I visited Johnathan from year 5 and his parents at their home. I have been constantly amazed at the kindness of the Chinese people since day one, and it was such a great experience to have been invited into three, very different Chinese homes and to see how the children and their families live first hand.

Jacob and I during his home visit.

Another very enjoyable home visit with Johnathan.

This week, the International Office organised a little farewell party for the international students. As each student shared something about what they learned about themselves, it hit me just how grateful I have been of having the support of other students who, like me, where spending the semester immersed in an alien culture, and completely out of their comfort zone. Although our time in Hong Kong has come to an end, we will treasure the memories we’ve made here forever. I am definitely sad to leave, but with some amazing opportunities to see countries we have never travelled to before on the horizon, we are excited to discover what the next five weeks have in store for us!

The international group: semester 2 2012.

So the big question… If I could go back in time to that moment just before I handed in my application to Margaret last year, would I go ahead with it?…Answer? Absolutely, YES!

謝謝你這個機會! (Thank you for this opportunity!)

Andrew Scott

Week 14: Professional Blog (28/4/12)

“A teacher affects eternity, he can never tell where his influence stops”- Henry Brooks Adams.

With teaching in full swing for both Heather and I, and subsequently each of us finishing our days with endless stories about the children in our class, it is safe to say that we are loving our time in school! Both of my classes wrote about me in their weekly journals this week and I’m not ashamed to say that some of their responses literally had me on the brink of tears (and that wasn’t because of the comments about my ‘big, pointy nose’ or receding hairline!) with most of them talking about my patience, my sense of humour, or their amazement that I managed to learn all their names in the space of fifteen minutes!

Paul from 5A was very please with his weekly journal entry about me!

It’s a very strange concept to get used to teaching a class for an hour, at the most, each day, and in between times going to a designated room to do planning in preparation for the next day’s lessons. At home, it takes no time at all before close relationships are built between the teacher and the students, due to the fact that they spend all day with each other, but here, it takes longer as children have different teachers for each subject within the curriculum. Heather and I have both recognised this as one of our personal struggles, so interacting with the pupils during recess, in addition to class time, has been our biggest priority of the week. It has been amazing to see how well the students react to our additional efforts with them. The children also respond very positively to the variety of teaching resources and lesson ideas that I have used during my lessons. I think versatility is such an important quality for a teacher to possess, and using a variety of teaching methods can help keep children more interested and engaged in what is being learnt.

We got the chance to visit some students at their homes this week. On Thursday, I went home with Jackie Chan (not the actor) and his two brothers Henry and Charles, and I spent the evening just playing games with the boys, and enjoying a lovely meal with the family. The school also organised for us to have a tour of Tai Po, which was an incredible experience as we were able to see some of the sights, that we would have never dreamed of visiting, if it wasn’t for the company of the local students and parents who acted as our tour-guides for the morning. Interacting with the children in a situation outside of the walls of the classroom was an invaluable experience in getting to know them as individuals, and it also allowed them the chance to use their English skills to communicate with me. At first, some of the children were quite shy, reserved and unwilling to engage in a conversation with me, but, just like in a classroom by building up their confidence, they opened up more and I learnt a lot about them. The PTA of the school have been really supportive in helping us to really concrete meaningful relationships with the children by organising opportunities like this for us to participate in. Both Heather and I will visit two other families next week, and I really look forward to sharing my experiences of Hong Kong with them. 

Henry, Jackie and I exploring the gardens before dinner.

The Chan family prepared some typical Chinese dishes for me.

Some of the children and I at the Tai Po Railway Museum.

Experiencing the Tai Po Market.

Some children in our school were participating in a modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ this weekend, in which five schools from the local area came together to demonstrate how Shakespeare’s work can be used to create a ‘worldwide classroom’. Our school’s part was amazing, and I was blown away by the talent of the pupils who took part. The fact that these children, who speak English as their second or third language, were able to recite Shakespeare so well was amazing. Both Heather and I stood proudly in the wings, while the children performed, with two ridiculously cheesy smiles from one ear to another. We’ve been able to build such close relationships with these children in the short time that we’ve spent with them, and I was honestly so proud of them after the show. Looking at it from a more professional viewpoint, it struck me how teachers can very easily under-estimate the potential that children have, and pushing children to succeed and to aim high in life in general, is a key quality which I will definitely make a focus in my future classroom. I think at the same time that drama has a massive potential for the primary classroom in not only attributing to the children’s creative development, but also in allowing the children to express themselves as individuals, and it plays a significant role in their holistic development. Above all else, I’ve been reminded that my job is not restricted to the four walls of the classroom, and to a specific list of academic subjects, but to the education of the whole child, and in preparing them for future life, as a member of a global society. 

All the cast and crew of 'Shakespeare: A Worldwide Classroom'.

Zach, Adrian, Edmund and I backstage during the show.

Watching from the wings- the cast take their final bows.

Shirley, Jackie’s mother, asked me on Thursday night, what I had wanted to work as when I was younger.  When I told her that I actually always wanted to be a teacher, and that I used to pretend that my teddies were children in my class, she smiled and said “so you’re actually fulfilling your dreams now?” My time in the Hong Kong classroom has been so rewarding both on a personal and a professional level, and I have no reservations to say that I will be returning to Northern Ireland as a much better-rounded teacher than I was when I left. I have one more week in the primary school, and I am expecting it to be a very emotional one indeed… I don’t want it to end! 

我想這將持續到永遠! (If only this could last forever!)

Jackie and Henry called me their big brother!

Andrew Scott

Week 13: Professional and Personal Blog (21/4/12)

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement, nothing can be done without hope and confidence”- Helen Keller.

This week marked the beginning of our school placement at the Jockey Club Primary School. Our university classes are finally completed, and all that is left to do, is what we initially came here for… to teach! I will be teaching year 5A and 6B, which are Northern Ireland’s equivalent to P6 and 7. The past week has literally been such a learning experience, and I have learnt so much, from both observing the teacher interact with her pupils, and also in doing some teaching of my own- as expected, this experience has enriched me professionally so much, but I never expected the extent of this development to be as substantial as it has been!

The differences between the Hong Kong primary school we are placed in and with the placements which I have completed in the past (in Northern Ireland) have been among the biggest challenges which I have met this week. These have included the difficulties associated with teaching children English as a second language, as well as the actual teaching styles which are in place over here. One of the biggest struggles which I’ve experienced is the children’s reluctance to participate in teacher-led discussion, and I’ve came across a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘it’s like pulling teeth’. I always forget that these children speak English as their second language, and I am constantly amazed at their language skills and abilities. The language barrier is very slight between the pupils and I, with most of the blame for confusion and misinterpretation being down to my Northern Irish accent. I am learning to slow down and become a lot clearer in my diction with certain words, as well as changing my pronunciation of certain words to sound more like an English accent- this has allowed the children to understand me better.

Teaching 5A some information about Ireland.

The class structure differs from schools which I am used to also. The classes are laid out in rows, where children sit by themselves. This does make group work more difficult. Fortunately however, Miss Mak, the teacher who I am placed with encourages a more interactive approach to learning, and so the children in both classes are used to turning their tables around so they can engage themselves in group discussions etc. In addition, the actual structure of the lessons is much more structured and formal than it is back home, with English lessons focusing on the development of grammar, comprehension and listening skills.

The rows of tables in the classrooms.

Transitioning, rather unexpectedly, back to chalk for my lessons was quite strange. I expected that, being in Hong Kong, the school would have very technologically advanced and well-equipped classrooms, but this was not the case. None of the classrooms at the school have an interactive whiteboard. They all have overhead projectors installed however, which has allowed me to prepare PowerPoint presentations, as I aim to make my lessons as enjoyable and as engaging as I can, with as much help from the available technology as possible. I think that as a teacher, it’s important to make the most of what is available to you as after all, my future classroom may not have an interactive whiteboard, or even a projector, but it will still by my responsibility to deliver creative and exciting lessons to the learners in my class.

The week of teaching practice that we have now got behind us, has already began to shape me into a better and more well-rounded teacher. I feel that I am in such a great position now to teach children with EAL in my future classroom, which is a very important quality in a teacher, particularly in an increasingly diverse Northern Ireland. I’m looking forward to seeing how my professional development progresses as I spent more time teaching, and getting to know the children more on an individual basis.

Working with Jason, Emma and Angel.

On a more personal level, we met up with Dan, Keith, Sophie and Dani at the weekend, and it was great to spend time with them and just hear about their experiences from their study in China so far. They even commented on how much they appreciated certain home comforts that existed in Hong Kong, such as British food products and also the decreased language barrier which is present in Hong Kong in comparison with China. Throwing myself off a 233 metre building was by far my highlight of the weekend, even though the sheer volume of my scream was a little embarrassing. It is no exaggeration to state that Hong Kong has given me the opportunity to do things which I never would have imagined doing before. I will never forget that feeling as I plummeted of the Macau Tower (the world’s highest bungee jump), but it was an amazing experience, and which I will never forget!

Before our jump: nervous and excited!

過後談話!(Talk later!)

Andrew Scott

Week 12: Personal Blog (14/4/12)

“There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a smile speaks them all”- Anonymous

It is such a refreshing and satisfying feeling when showing someone around Hong Kong for their first time. Both Heather and I have become so accustomed to certain aspects of our lives out here, that we have almost forgotten what our first impressions of the place where we’ve spent the last twelve weeks were. This week Heather’s boyfriend, Mark, came to visit, and we used this opportunity to see some of our most loved sights again, such as Victoria Harbour, Ladies Market and The Peak. We also were able to explore new ‘places of interest’ with him, including the Big Buddha, Tsing Ma Bridge, and Stanley Village.

Me enjoying the Tsing Ma Bridge, the longest road-rail suspension bridge in the world!

Heather, Mark and I at the Big Buddha.

Fortunately, Mark’s visit coincided with the repair of the cable car system, which brings visitors up Ngong Ping, to the site of the Tian Tan Buddha, or the Big Buddha as it is more affectionately known by locals and tourists alike. Not letting the recent malfunction deter us, or compromise our visit in any way whatsoever, we opted to travel up in the crystal cabin, complete with a glass floor, which allowed us to gain a 360 degree view of the surrounding area. Hong Kong is such a beautiful place, and the contrast between the populous, concrete jungle of the city, the ranging mountains and the open sea is unbelievable- the views are spectacular! Personally, it also amazes me just how much the local people here value culture in their society, and even though the Buddha is a very touristy spot, the area is still sacred and meaningful to those who go there to pray. 

Our cable car had a glass bottom!

The views as we made our way to the Big Buddha- stunning!

Mark, Heather and I enjoying the cable car ride.

Also this week, it was my groups turn to present in our educational development class. Our chosen topic was quite relevant to me personally, as it was based on the growing popularity of studying abroad in mainland China. I was able to give a personal reflection on why I came to study abroad, and also to share with the class what I thought I had gained through this experience. I shared with them, very honestly, that although Hong Kong was not initially my first choice of places to study this semester, I am actually so thankful that I got placed here. If I think back to this time last year, Asia would not have featured heavily on my places to visit list, however, now that I have experienced it for the past three months (with two more to go) I have developed a hunger to learn more, to visit different countries within this continent and have even considered moving out here for a prolonged period of time to teach.

Developing close friendships has definitely been something which I have been so thankful for. In addition to growing closer with Heather, I also feel that my relationships with the other Stranmillis students studying in China, Dan, Keith, Sophie and Dani, have grown substantially, as we’ve spent some time with one another, and keep in regular contact through email. Heather and I are both really looking forward to spending next weekend with them in Hong Kong and Macau and to celebrate Sophie’s 21^st birthday with her also.

Heather and I went to Tei Mei Tuk this weekend. There we rented some bicycles and spent the afternoon cycling around and enjoying the views which the reservoir provided. The day also allowed us some time to reflect on our trip so far. It is so hard to believe, that we will start our teaching practice this week for three weeks, which also marks our last three weeks that we will spend in Hong Kong before embarking on our travels. This opportunity has been amazing, and with the end of our stay here in sight, it’s saddening to think of all the people who we will miss, and that this incredibly journey is going to end- we remain focused on optimising our time left and just making the most of every opportunity that arises!

Heather and I out for a cycle!

The view of the reservoir- beautiful!

Ci di gin! (See you later!)

If anything ever happens to the Big Buddha... I could step in?!

Andrew Scott

Week 11: Cultural and Professional Blog (7/3/12)

 “By three methods we may learn wisdom: reflection, imitation and experience”- Confucius.

This week, tragedy and sheer heartbreak descended on the walls of room 830, as rather stupidly I decided to carry my laptop with one hand. This move soon transpired to be my biggest mistake of my stay here so far, as my grip loosened, and the laptop plummeted to its death on the hard floor beneath me. Although this story may sound a little dramatic, it was very true, and I was without a laptop for the week. As I composed myself and began to really think if I actually needed it, I realised, that Hong Kong was the electronic capital of the world, and sourcing a computer repair shop, for a competitive price was not a difficult task at all!

It really hit me this week how advanced technology has become over the years, and I am constantly amazed at how easy it is to stay in contact with people on the other side of the world via Skype or applications on the iPhone. It also occurred to me how the very culture of Hong Kong is shaped by technology, with almost everyone having a smart phone (mainly iPhone 4Ss) in their possession. There was one occasion whilst waiting on a train, when Heather and I witnessed a young child crying in his pram. I was very shocked when the child’s mother handed him her iPad and he proceeded to open up the game ‘Angry Birds’, his crying subsided rather quickly around this point. If I was asked three months ago to compile a list of what constitutes or what defines a countries culture, technology would almost certainly not have made the cut. Being here though has really opened my eyes, and not talking about something which plays such an important part in the lives of the people who live here would be naïve of me.

Heather embracing the Hong Kong culture...

I was even able to Skype with my cat this week!

We experienced rain in Hong Kong for the first time since arriving here this week. We were warned in church by a man originally from Ballymena that when “it rains in Hong Kong…it really rains”. Sure enough, it did. I took the opportunity (laptop free) to sit in my room with the windows opened and to enjoy the sound of the rain as it bounced off the road outside. It was surprising to discover that the sound of rain was actually something I missed about Northern Ireland, and it was lovely just to think about ways in which the Hong Kong culture and N. Ireland’s differ. Since being here I have developed an appreciation for my own culture and that of other people around me, and I feel this is such an important value to have to pass onto the children in my future classroom.

Rain: the view from my room (apparently it doesn't photograph well).

A rainy day in Central!

We were also really excited to go to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Primary School (located on campus), this week and to receive some information about our block placement that will be commencing around this time next week. It was a great feeling to be within the walls of a primary school and we are counting down the days until we can begin our teaching! The school itself has around 500 students, and is similar in set-up to secondary schools in Northern Ireland, in that they have different teachers for different subjects. Interestingly, the children remain in the same classroom throughout the day, and it is the teachers who come and go from each class. This will take a little getting used to, and I feel this will make it a little harder to really get to know the children in each class, as we will only be spending a selected amount of time with them. I am definitely going to make the most of my time in the classroom, to really get to know the children so that I can tailor my lessons to meet their own individual learning styles and needs.

The teacher who I am paired with, Mrs Candy Mak, told me that Hong Kong primary schools are very focused on assessment, mainly due to the pressures of regular examinations, and from the pressures of parents who seem very hands-on in the education of their children. It was also useful to learn a little about the Hong Kong Curriculum, this knowledge will only deepen as I see it in practice for myself next week. I’m really looking forward to seeing how Northern Irish schools differ from Hong Kong ones, and I’m hoping that the children will learn a lot from me also.

Baai baai! (bye bye!)

Andrew Scott

Week 10: Personal Blog (31/3/12)

“Birthdays only come once a year- so when they do, make the most of them”- Celine Dion.

Thursday marked Heather’s 21^st birthday, so armed with Celine Dion’s advice we decided to make this one, one to remember! We spent the first part of the week completing some assignments, and just enjoying the sunshine, as the weather this week has been incredible. I’ve been glad to get the chance to don the shorts and the sunglasses for the first time in ten weeks!

The summer clothes have been unpacked- I am loving the weather!

 

Our buddy Monique told us within days of our arrival, back in January, that Ocean Park offered free admission to people on their birthdays, so our plan to visit on the 29^th March was concreted from a very early stage. Ocean Park is a cocktail of a zoo, a marine mammal park, an oceanarium and an amusement park, all rolled up in one, and it boasts a world ranking of the seventh most popular amusement park across the globe. The park itself is actually split into two parts, on either side of a mountain which stands in the very centre of the park- access to the other part of the park is obtained via a cable car ride, which offers panoramic, postcard views of the south of Hong Kong Island. I never appreciated views and the beauty of nature before coming here, and I took the splendour of Northern Ireland’s scenery for granted. Developing a more eco-friendly attitude was also something which I gained from our visit to the park, as the importance of keeping beaches litter free and treating animals with respect were key messages which were emphasised at nearly every turn. This would be something which I would hope to develop within the children in my future class.



Heather and I having a blast at Ocean Park.



The views are spectacular!

The cable car system which attaches one part of the park to the other.

A sea lion with his trainer during a show at Ocean Park.

After our fun-filled day at the theme park, we travelled the reasonably short distance to Soho, a district in Central which is notorious for its abundance of Western food and restaurants, for dinner. The amount of western people was surprising to me, and it was clear that I’ve become so accustomed to being surrounded by Chinese people. It really struck me, that in comparison to the local people, I feel more insecure around the western tourists. Although I don’t see myself as an insecure person, I am not as confident as I can come across to others, but this realisation really made me realise the importance of appreciating myself, of  being more confident in my own skin and also emphasised not to place such an importance on what other people think about me.

We also spent some time this week preparing a group presentation with two of the Korean exchange students, for our ethnic identities class. It was great to talk with them more about the problems that they face in their country and also to share some details about ours with them. The topic of our presentation was about conflict in multicultural societies. I actually found it surprising how much I learned about Northern Ireland’s past during my research. This was a great opportunity for me to build on my own identity and to increase my awareness of the culture which I come from, and to reflect on how my ethnic background has shaped me into the person who I am today.

Heather and I with our Korean friends Kim and Semi.

This week actually marks our half way point. When we arrive home on June 11^th, we will have been away for 20 weeks in total. This means that we only have five more weeks left in Hong Kong, before we embark on our travels. These five weeks are going to be action packed, and we are certainly going to make the most of the time we have left here, in which plans to do the highest bungee jump in the world with the other Stranmillis students have already materialised. We are also looking forward to spending some of our last weeks here at the primary school located on campus: Jockey Club Primary School. The time we spend here will no doubt be extremely rewarding and we look forward to getting first hand experience in teaching over here.



I got the chance to ride a sea lion at Ocean Park- even though it was a plastic one!



過後談話!(Talk later!)

Andrew Scott

Week Nine: Cultural Blog (24/3/12)

“Broaden your horizons- they’re the only ones you’ll ever have”- Jennifer Crusie.

This week, armed with a double entry visa, Heather and I travelled to Guangzhou to visit the Stranmillis students who are studying there. After a reasonably stress free passage through immigration, for me anyway, we boarded our train. I was expecting China to be a completely different world in comparison to Hong Kong. I imagined, rather naively, that it would be surrounded by people working in rice fields, and that it would be the opposite of the busy, cosmopolitan city that is Hong Kong. So naturally, it was a complete surprise for me when the train stopped in the midst of towering skyscrapers and city lights, and consequently when “this stop is Guangzhou East” sounded across our train. This was China.

All six of us managed to squeeze onto the back of this  motor-taxi.

My first impressions of the city where we would be spending the next five days, was the stark contrast in hygiene with Hong Kong. I had never really appreciated how clean and litter free the streets of Hong Kong where until I had something to compare it to. Also, it was clear that tourists aren’t as common in Guangzhou as they are in Hong Kong. This was evident from the number of stares which we received, and even from the odd person taking photos or videos of us on their cameras. This was very strange and difficult for me to get my head around, but the Chinese society is very a singular one on an ethnic basis in comparison with other countries, and honestly, I do have to say, that I loved being in the spotlight! I loved how the culture in China hasn’t been diluted like it has in Hong Kong, and it was great to compare in my head how the two places differ and indeed how they are similar.

On Sunday we celebrated Dan and Keith’s 21st birthday. We attended an international church in the morning. The pastor announced at the beginning of the service that, due to the church’s license, Chinese nationals were not allowed to attend. It really struck me just how much I take my faith for granted at home, and how hard it must be for people here to be suppressed to practice their religion over here. After church, the guys’ Chinese friends joined us for a well-deserved massage, and we headed out for dinner with everyone. I was really amazed, and touched, at the kindness of the Chinese people at the meal, as not only did they offer Dan and Keith typical Chinese gifts, but also Heather and I! 

Heather and I with our new Chinese friend, Kane.

All of the group celebrating Dan and Keith's 21st birthday.

We joined Jim Nelson, a former Stranmillis student for dinner on a cruise of the Pearl River on Monday evening. It was great to chat with him about his experiences in actually living here, and in being submersed in the culture every day. After the cruise, Jim took us on a walk around the city, through the back streets of Guangzhou. Robert Frost’s famous line “I took the road less travelled by, and that has made all the difference” could not be closer to the truth. Taking the chance to get away from the more concentrated areas where tourists are, and where sometimes it feels like locals put on a show for them, it is great to see what life is really like for the people that live here.

The view of Guangzhou from the Pearl River- very similar to Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong.

Stranmillis past and present: we met up with Jim for a boat cruise.

On Tuesday we joined Dan, Dani, Sophie and Keith in a Mandarin class at their university. The class was very interactive, and as the only students in the class, the learning was more tailored to our individual needs, and more time was able to spent on areas which we were struggling most with. Language is a defining part of any culture, and it was great to engage in conversations with each other and to put what we are learning into practice. Unfortunately, the Cantonese class back at HKIEd was cancelled before we arrived, so our Cantonese is very minimal, and rather frustratingly, Heather and I can now speak more Mandarin than Cantonese! The language barrier is far more evident in Guangzhou than here, and Heather and I can get by easily by just speaking English. It still feels however, like we’re missing out on such an important part of the Hong Kong culture by not learning the language.

Having a go at Chinese calligraphy.

Chinese calligraphy books: no ink required.

It was amazing to spend time with the Dan, Dani, Keith and Sophie. The simple fact that we are all studying in Asia, has really brought us together as friends, and we spent our time making memories which we will look back and laugh at when we return home. We plan to see the guys again next month, when they will come and visit us in Hong Kong, which Heather and I are both really looking forward to. The warm, sunny weather has officially arrived, and Heather and I took this opportunity to write our blogs outside today. We managed to find a nice, secluded spot by the outdoor swimming pool, where we can play the ‘Titanic’ soundtrack on as high a volume as we like!

All of us having a blast at Guangzhou's theme park.

Drenched! We decided to opt out of wearing rain coats for a water ride at the theme park!

Ci meng! (Loving life!)

Andrew Scott