Hong Kong: All in one!

From a long list of interesting courses, we could choose two to attend for 5 weeks. My choices were General Psychology and Urban Sustainability. Urban Sustainability focused on the three indicators for sustainable urbanization: economy, society, and environment. As we delved into the key aspects of achieving a sustainable city, Hong Kong was often compared to the cities where we, the international students, lived. This led to discussions, and I not only learned about Hong Kong's culture but also about the Mexican, American, British, Chinese, French, etc., cultures. The course was taught by an enthusiastically unrestrained lecturer who enjoyed standing in front of the class to convey his passion to the students and inspire them to build a better future on a global scale.

This turned out to be characteristic of the summer school: looking beyond one's own perspective, challenging oneself, and collaborating in a multicultural environment. The summer school was an opportunity for me to take interesting courses outside my Nanobiology bachelor study, and I not only expanded academically but also learned that presentation, discussion, and interaction methods are strongly influenced by cultural aspects. During group assignments and projects, it became evident that thinking one way is not necessarily better than another; the best result is achieved by leveraging everyone's strengths.

While there were times when hard work was required, we were also encouraged to explore the surroundings. After classes and on free days, I quickly jumped on the metro to tick items off my lengthy bucket list. Often, I had to make difficult choices in advance: join a hike, visit the tourist hotspots, or simply relax on the beach? And tonight, horse races in Happy Valley or visit a night market? Go to bed early to hike to a waterfall tomorrow morning, or enjoy the night at Lan Kwai Fong? You do not get bored easily in this city of skyscrapers, culture, and, above all, people—lots of people. While life on the streets rushes on until late at night, you can escape the hustle and bustle in wooded peaks and sandy bays.

What will stay with me the most are the views. Whether from a rooftop bar during the Symphony of Lights, from an office in the impressive city, or during a hike in the surrounding nature; the view was always impressive. It was almost impossible to resist taking another picture and making those back home jealous. Additionally, the day we spent on a junk boat in Sai Kung was also memorable. It was a fantastic experience to build our own party in a foreign city with such a fun, unique, and enterprising group.

Hong Kong is now a warm, familiar memory of an unforgettable summer. In short, seize your chance and sign up for NAHSS 2020! Do not hesitate to email anne-wiet@hotmail.com if you want more information about my experiences with NAHSS in Hong Kong.