By Frankie

Three days into our study abroad trip and it cannot get any more amazing. Today was a very busy day. Our day began at 8:45 AM as we all met in the lobby of the residence hall. As a group, we walked to the train station and headed towards Austin MTR station. For breakfast we started very light. Just a small breakfast at Shun De Kung Dim Sum. Okay it was not a light breakfast when we started seeing all these dishes pile up on our table. One after another, both tables were served with over 40 dishes.

Does not look like a very light breakfast does it? The table was covered with delicious food.

Artistic photo credit: Kathleen

Before eating, our tour guide Franky went a little into detail in terms of what is common to do before eating. It is common to use hot water to clean our plates before being served. It does not necessarily mean that the dishes are dirty, but it is something that is a tradition to do. There is a set of communal ‘serving’ chopsticks, which are used to serve yourself or others at the table from the food that is available in the middle. While waiting for the food to be served, you will see people reading the local newspaper to be up to date in terms of what goes on in Hong Kong. While eating, it is polite to tap the table gently with two fingers as a sign of saying thank you when someone else serves food on your plate or pours drinks in your cup. In addition, it is respectful to serve other people before serving yourself. As a side note, it is common to drink green tea, especially among the elderly.

Here are photos of cultural exchange between Frankie and Ringo. Another photo of Frankie and Alina along with Ringo and his wife who were eating at Shun De Kung Dim Sum.

Later in our day, Dr. Li Meng talked about the Confucius Institute of Hong Kong. This program at Poly University is a recognized place for people to learn Chinese Language, understand Chinese culture and know about China. The mission for this program is to support China’s cultural construction, enhance local education of Chinese language and culture, and promote international understanding of Chinese language.

Dr. Li Meng and other staff members welcomed our group with delicious pastries.

Group at Confusious Institute of HK

Following our religion and cultural lecture from Dr. Li Meng, the class had the privilege of meeting the Head of the School of Nursing, Prof. Alex Molasiotis or “Alex.” Alex was eager to meet our class as much as it was an honor to meet him. We all sat in a classroom where all students gave a brief introduction and afterwards asked Alex plenty of questions regarding education, his journey to Hong Kong, and perspectives of life as a student at Poly University. It was amazing how engaged everyone was because Alex was very sincere and honest with his responses. Alex Molasiotis is from Greece. His first five years in Hong Kong consisted of being a backpacker. One of his cultural norms is family connection, which he believes it is something that the Western countries lack. One of the most difficult obstacles in his life was leaving his family. Towards the end, Alex mentioned that one of his dreams is to give every student the opportunity to travel outside of Hong Kong. He believes that as global citizens, it is important to value and appreciate other places around the world. Nowadays, technology has decreased communication. At the very end, Alex was willing to hang out with the class, which was a surprise to al of us knowing how important and busy of a man he is and was still willing to spend time with us. However, the class was dismissed and was the last event for the day as a group.

SJSU group with Prof. Alex Molasiotis, Head of School of Nursing at PolyU.

Late in the night, students are given free time to do what they desire. Some students go shopping, while others go around Hong Kong appreciating new places.

This is another picture with some of the students from the program who got lost getting to the Lady’s Market, but getting lost was a beautiful ending. We came across this site and plan to go again to take more pictures.

Overall, today (6/14 HK time) was a day where the entire class had the opportunity to try Dim Sum, learn more about religion and culture, spend time with Dr. Alex Molasiotis, and end the night with individual adventures.