Outside Sights from Bright Lights
By: Daniel K., CAS ’21
Science Workshop – Hong Kong
After just a few days worth of the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong, it’s safe to say I was feeling the big city energy. Coming from Michigan, going to school in Philadelphia at Penn felt like a big city life to me. That was nothing compared to the central districts of Hong Kong. Flashing lights and street food. Crowds of people, extremely dense and all moving with a unique purpose. To give you an idea of the density: in busy areas, you wouldn’t even need an umbrella when it rained, since so many people would be holding their umbrellas over their heads it would form an impromptu shelter.
Despite all the culture shock, I soon adjusted to the new lifestyle and I was loving it. Jet lag doesn’t feel so bad in a city that never sleeps. Luckily, I managed to meet some new friends along the way. One thing that I found interesting: almost everyone I’ve met in Hong Kong has such an amazingly diverse and international background. I think it’s due to the intercultural history of the region. I love how the residents are united by the city they form, rather than the land that they come from. It actually feels eerily similar to the United States in that regard. If the American dream is a white picket fence and two kids, the Hong Kong dream is a penthouse suite with a sports car for every day of the week. The vibe is inspiring and moreover infectious.
One day, after hearing me talk about my life back home, a friend of mine told me she’d take me to a local area to see a different side of Hong Kong. We took the MTR (which is the transit system) to an area on the Kowloon side of the bay. It was a fishing village, and I couldn’t believe the contrast. Instead of skyscrapers, there were one story shacks. Instead of billboards and flashing advertisements, there were Buddhist shrines and wooden signs. Lamborghini’s and Ferrari’s turned into carts carrying fish and the equipment necessary to catch them. As for the view, it was spectacular. Looking out over the bay, you could see the distinctive city skyline. More romantic, however, was seeing a young couple take wedding photos with the backdrop of the city. Walking along, we even ran into a traditional Chinese opera; it looked like all the local residents were gathered outside to watch. Quite a day to remember, but then again, I don’t think anything about Hong Kong is “forgettable”. It’s definitely a crazy, high pressure, and jam-packed place, but at the same time, it’s filled with a medley of different lifestyles and people–which I can’t wait to further explore.
The Global Research and Internship Program (GRIP) provides outstanding undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to intern or conduct research abroad for 8 to 12 weeks over the summer. Participants gain career-enhancing experience and global exposure that is essential in a global workforce. Placements and funding awards are available.