By Lina

Fourteen days later and here we are at the very end of our journey. We started out as inexperienced student travelers, who thirst for adventure and yearned for knowledge. Although there were some obstacles, we overcame it as a group. Throughout the days we became experts at public transportation. Not only mastering the MTR, but also the bus, taxi, ferry, and maneuvering around in this highly populated city. With every waking day our physical health was put to the test. Especially in this hot, humid, sporadically raining, so called typhoon season. It gave us the health outcome of being in shape, getting in at least our 30 minutes of light weight cardio. Nonetheless sweating out  whatever toxins we had in our bodies. This journey not only shaped us physically, but mentally. We learned to overcome language barrier and fear not of this foreign culture. Especially the bugs that found our presence so attracting. We learned about the history, system, people, and places. It taught us how to become more acceptable to other cultures through different aspects. Not only did we gained knowledge of the Hong Kong culture but basic skills within that. Many of us put our digestive system to the test by trying food from the street to the local “wet” market. We had the honor of meeting host students from PolyU which taught us the value of family/friendship, food culture, tradition, and ideals. Even developing the skills of tolerance to disliking factors. Compassion was built between the groups. There was always a helping hand whenever needed. Simply, it was a successful journey. To recollect, here are the list of the places we visited:

• Day 1: SFO-HGK
• Day 2: DORM CHECK IN, POLYU SJSU 1ST DINNER, MONG KOK DISTRICT- LADIES MARKET
• Day 3: POLYU INSTRUCTIONAL DAY-INTRO TO INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CULTURE, HK HC SYSTEM LEC, AND TCM CASE STUDY LEC. POLYU CAFETERIA LUNCH. HK HISTORY MUSEUM
• Day 4: SHUN DE KUNG DIM SUM, CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE OF HK
• Day 5: COMMERCIAL/CENTRAL DISTRICT, STAR FERRY, VICTORIA HARBOUR, PRINCE’S BUILDING, HSBC HQ, BANK OF CHINA, ST. JOHN CATHEDRAL, SOHO DISTRICT, OLD POLICE QUARTER, CHA CHAAN TENG EXP-HOI AN CAFE, SPACE MUSUEM, AVE OF STARS, SYMPHONY OF LIGHTS.
• Day 6: KOWLOON DISTRICT/PARK/POOL, JADE/TEMPLE/GOLDFISH MARKET, TOFU MASTER VISIT-JEN HEUNG YUEN, DAI PAI PONG WET MARKET, LITTLE KITCHEN, TAI ON BUILDING-SCAVENGER HUNT, NEARBY PARK, SEAFOOD DINNER.
• Day 7: DRAGON’S BACK, HK VS US BBQ, BIG WAVE BAY
• Day 8: HOST STUDENT FAMILY DINNER-GROCERY SHOPPING, PREP/COOK/EAT
• Day 9: LAMMA ISLAND-ABERDEEN “LITTLE HK”-HUENG GONG TSAI, FLOATING/HAKKA VILLAGE, SEAFOOD LUNCH, STANLEY BEACH
• Day 10: ORGANIC E-FARM-FISH, PREP LUNCH.
• Day 11:TAI CHI-FUNG TAK PARK, WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE, DIAMOND HILL-NAN LIAN GARDEN, CAUSEWAY BAY-MUSIC BOX, SUPER CITY MALL
• Day 12: MACAO-CHURCHES, RUINS OF ST. PAUL, FORTRESS AT MONTE, OLD CEMETERY.
• Day 13:VOLUNTEER AID-SHAM SHUI PO
• Day 14: POLYU PRESENTATIONS & FAREWELL DINNER

I hope that as you read down this list of all the activities it brought back positive flashbacks. I want to remind you that throughout this journey there were a lot of accomplishments and memories that were made. We all deserve a pat on the back for surviving this educational roller coaster abroad. There was the development of awareness between Hong Kong culture and San Jose’s, and how we respectfully adapted. I am grateful for having the privilege for all opportunities and experiences given during the course of this program. Therefore let us not forget FLP SJSU takes on Hong Kong Summer 2016!On behalf of SJSU I bid you farewell Hong Kong. As for the the FLP SJSU members, safe travels back home, and thank you for the memories!

P.S. epic video of the trip will be put together.