Orientation was nothing special. They spoke a lot while we sat there and then had student ambassadors take us on a tour of the campus. Only problem was, none of the exchange students could remember where anything was. Long story short, we walked a lot in the humidity and sun for no reason. This wasn't really the student ambassador's fault though. It's just not a very good way to introduce the campus to us because there are too many things to remember and we have to go in and out of buildings and circle back which really screws up our (my) sense of direction.
For lunch, they brought us to have Korean food and that was pretty good. The place was named School Lunch or something like that which I got a bit of a kick out of. Not out loud though. I'm not that crazy. Yet. But at this point, I was starting to wonder where the other students from the US were. I saw quite a bit of people stand up when the program director called out our country but I have no idea where they went. It's good practicing Cantonese and meeting people from Northern Europe and all but sometimes I really just want to speak English.
So aside from that I had to go back and get my schedule together because, yes, I am still a student and I still have to go to class. Sometimes it slips my mind just because we're being such tourists but it helps that the program director mentioned that some people chose to come to HKBU for the classes. I don't think its the most accurate or popular statement but I'll just use that as my excuse to do relatively well and not fail. I added on 4 options for classes I could take for add/drop so I hope that's enough.
When my roommate finally came back at night, I finally broke the news to her. I can speak Cantonese. She was really confused and asked me about my background. Then she got even more confused or overwhelmed and started saying how complicated my life is. Her reaction was quite amusing though and it's nice because she thinks I can speak well which is encouraging! I like talking to her in Cantonese. (Unless I'm tired. Or trying to get a story over with quickly.)
In retrospect from Day 13 (09/09/14), Rachel is a super polite roommate. She knocks every time before she enters like it's not her room. She also goes home on the weekends and holidays which means half the time, I'm living in a single. Woot woot. She also shares information with me if anything is going on and also stuff that I need too! Since she travels back and forth from home, she can bring things that I might need if she has it. We don't click quite as well as Sarah and I did though but it'd be surprising if I found a roommate to beat Sarah anyways haha.
For lunch, they brought us to have Korean food and that was pretty good. The place was named School Lunch or something like that which I got a bit of a kick out of. Not out loud though. I'm not that crazy. Yet. But at this point, I was starting to wonder where the other students from the US were. I saw quite a bit of people stand up when the program director called out our country but I have no idea where they went. It's good practicing Cantonese and meeting people from Northern Europe and all but sometimes I really just want to speak English.
So aside from that I had to go back and get my schedule together because, yes, I am still a student and I still have to go to class. Sometimes it slips my mind just because we're being such tourists but it helps that the program director mentioned that some people chose to come to HKBU for the classes. I don't think its the most accurate or popular statement but I'll just use that as my excuse to do relatively well and not fail. I added on 4 options for classes I could take for add/drop so I hope that's enough.
When my roommate finally came back at night, I finally broke the news to her. I can speak Cantonese. She was really confused and asked me about my background. Then she got even more confused or overwhelmed and started saying how complicated my life is. Her reaction was quite amusing though and it's nice because she thinks I can speak well which is encouraging! I like talking to her in Cantonese. (Unless I'm tired. Or trying to get a story over with quickly.)
In retrospect from Day 13 (09/09/14), Rachel is a super polite roommate. She knocks every time before she enters like it's not her room. She also goes home on the weekends and holidays which means half the time, I'm living in a single. Woot woot. She also shares information with me if anything is going on and also stuff that I need too! Since she travels back and forth from home, she can bring things that I might need if she has it. We don't click quite as well as Sarah and I did though but it'd be surprising if I found a roommate to beat Sarah anyways haha.