Saying good-bye...

It's been a month since I left Hong Kong and HKU.  Last month was probably the most difficult month I experienced in Hong Kong.  As the semester was coming to an end, it wasn't the finals I had to study for or the papers I had to write that was hard, it was seeing all my friends leaving one by one that was painful.  Saying farewell to the 3.5 months I've spent in Hong Kong, to HKU, and most importantly, to the friends that I have met and shared this journey with was bittersweet. The people who I used to see almost on a daily basis, the people who I bump into on campus, the people who I studied and ate with, and the people who tried so many new things with me in Hong Kong are now all spread out around the world again.  Although my semester in Hong Kong is officially over and I have returned to my normal life in the U.S., this is not the end. I will forever cherish these wonderful memories and the amazing friendships that I have made through this semester in Hong Kong, and I can't wait until the day when we would cross paths again in the future. <3

For those who have come across my study abroad blog, I would like to encourage all of you to take the chance to study abroad at least once during your undergraduate career.  Although studying abroad really consisted of 50% studying and 50% fun time/exploring the country, this study abroad experience was truly amazing. For those who are still considering, I would advise you not to think too much about all those "what if's" and just go for it.  Live your life with no regrets.  You never know whether you would truly like it or not if you don't take the first step to try it.  Just a semester is enough, or even a summer abroad will probably change you in ways you would've never imagined.  If you are worried about financing your time abroad, remember that there are many study abroad scholarships out there to help you fund your study abroad trip.

I would like to thank the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for helping me achieve this dream of mines of living in Hong Kong and studying at HKU.  Anyone in the U.S. who is planning on studying abroad and who is eligible should consider applying for this scholarship.  Please look into it at:  http://www.iie.org/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program

Life in itself is a journey, so don't be afraid to be adventurous and remember to make the best out of your study abroad experience.  Have fun and stay safe! I wish all of you the best of luck!