Bayan YAZDANI

Student of Flinders University, Australia
Exchange to The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

One year ago I had no clue that I would end up in Hong Kong on a student exchange, but this scholarship and support from my university have made this possible.

I have learned so much about the local culture and how it differs from others in some overt and some subtle ways, adding a very interesting dimension to my understanding of China.

I had lived in Shanghai for a year and a half after high school before commencing my university studies at Flinders, and as someone who has lived in five other countries, Hong Kong has really been the ideal destination for a semester abroad. It truly is "Asia's Global City," and living here has not only allowed me to obtain credit for my university studies in Psychology and French, but also to continue my study of Mandarin and begin Cantonese lessons. I have definitely gained a greater understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of Chinese culture and languages, and how colonialism, history and consequently politics have created a uniquely distinct identity in Hong Kong.

My exchange would not have been possible without the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards, as it can be quite expensive here. The financial support has also enabled me to explore other places in the region as well. Thanks to these extra-curricular travel experiences, I now also have a much better understanding of the Vietnamese, Laotian, Cambodian and Burmese peoples than before. While I enjoyed exploring Hong Kong, I found it exciting that other destinations such as Macau, Shenzhen and Guangzhou are all just a stone's throw away. Coming from Australia, I am not used to such convenience and diversity in travel choices.

While Hong Kong may be a concrete jungle and I am a nature lover, I have not been disappointed with the many trails, mountains, and even forests that are ideal for hiking. I was surprised to find that the crowds and urban residential areas are confined to a relatively small portion of the entire city, which makes Hong Kong feel more crowded than it really is. It has a great balance between good food, natural landscapes, unique opportunities and a traditional culture that lives in harmony with modernity, commercialisation and arguably excessive wealth.

Despite this, there are some harsh social realities here that I have been learning more about. Interaction with unrecognised refugees and domestic workers have allowed me to gain an understanding of a side to Hong Kong that most expats and exchange students never witness – economic inequality, cramped living conditions and general hardship for particular groups living here. It has been encouraging to meet different NGOs helping these people in various ways – and providing them with the support necessary to navigate through life's difficulties.

I have definitely become more aware of my social privileges as a middle-class Australian, and am encouraged to see widespread social movements for greater tolerance, diversity and respect. I have also been impressed by the many organisations and groups devoted to social action, volunteering and service to others on campus and beyond.

I have made friends with students, locals and expats from many different places: China, HK, Taiwan, France, US, UK, India and Spain. In this way, I have learned about global identities and have been able to reflect on the shared experience of being an internationally minded person with a global outlook.

There is also a small, albeit growing, Baha'i community here that I connected with – including four lecturers at my university along with a few students! Thanks to this, I have learned more about the community life of people with my religious affiliation but in a different social context. I am looking forward to my last few weeks of study here and the travel that is to come before returning home, and feel grateful and happy to have had this experience. Thank you Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards.

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