Hong kong – the ins and outs
Hong Kong is a unique place, from having lived there, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. I was born and raised in Hong Kong and believe it or not, I barely speak or understand Cantonese. That’s because Hong Kong is so versatile, people are lovely and friendly and I had probably met someone from every corner of the world whilst living there. Read along to hear about my childhood experiences and my future visits after having moved to England.
Life growing up in Hong Kong
Coming from a mixed background of different ethnicities, my mum always worried about how our life would be growing up in Hong Kong, where we’d typically be a minority. But I can assure you (and would also assure my mother back then) how peaceful life was there. Everyone is accepting of each other and extremely respectful, curious (but in the most loving way). My father lived here from the age of 12 years, so he was fluent in Cantonese which I suppose made processes such as living, communicating with locals are markets was made a lot easier for us. But as we grew, English expanded a lot more in Hong Kong, even in the markets. So if you’re an expat or someone who’s considering a relocation to Hong Kong, keep reading.
YOU CAN LEAVE HONG KONG, BUT HONG KONG WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU
Schools, affordability and life for children.
My siblings and I went to an international school, for primary and secondary education (which we half way through left for England).
Bradbury (Primary): cannot recommend it enough. Teachers back then and even now are exceptional. Everything is taught in English, Mandarin is taught and is mandatory, but not overly difficult to grasp. Facilities were amazing 18 years ago and have only gotten better. From year 3/4 and above, children will go camping for a week in a different destination each year, learning essential life skills like hiking, cooking in mountains/beaches, making tents and many more survival techniques whilst exploring.
South Island School (Secondary): Again, amazing. Education standards are high but there are a lot of extra curricular activities and sports (even during PE) such as hockey, cross country, volleyball, football, badminton and many others (which are often done outside of the school) which children love to join in on. Only negative part was that bullying does take place, which I have witnessed. Teachers and the Head Department are amazing at dealing with these issues, so always speak to your children about their day and assure them. If you are a child yourself, always seek help as it is there and nothing will be worse than allowing this to continue.
I would say, in comparison to the UK, Europe and other countries, Hong Kong and Asia in general have a higher standard of education which can be slightly more advanced and demanding than other places. But there are a lot of extra curricular and additional support staffs across all schools who are there to support if needed. Teachers all speak English and it’s nice to have teachers with various accents. Primary education is from year 1 – 6, and secondary from year 7 – 11.
The Perfect Blend of Old and New
What I love most about Hong Kong is how it manages to be both old and new at the same time. Hong Kong offers a variety of experiences for people who like a modern touch such as Disney Land (or Hong Kong’s local version is Ocean Park), sky scrapers and fancy shopping centres, but you won’t miss the traditional temples, architecture and nature either which shows the history and traditions of Hong Kong.
Market visits are a must. Stanley market was local to us and we’d visit every weekend. You will find traditional markets around and then walk into a modern side of Hong Kong where you will find a plaza along a beautiful bank and breathtaking views. If you want to visit somewhere cheaper and more market-y, try Mong Kok where prices are more reasonable too and haggling is a must!
Safety
Hong Kong has been the safest country I have ever lived in. I remember walking through the dark with my siblings and family during late hours of the night with no sign of crime, a gated and secure community and locals who will always be there to help. Hong Kong also has many police stations spread around so you will always find one relatively close to you and the police take their job very seriously.
You will be respected wherever you go and we never felt like a minority, rather Hong Kong became home to us and many others.
A City of Festivals and Culture
Hong Kong loves a good celebration, and all festivals are widely celebrated from Chinese New Year, Christmas and Eid to many others. Hong Kong is diverse and you will learn about cultures and festivals which may not even be from Asia itself.
The decorations will amaze you and you will have the chance to visit beautiful mosques and churches and temples. Again, this is amazing for educational purposes.
If you’re thinking about visiting Hong Kong, do it. If you’re thinking about living there, do it. Salaries are very well paid and higher than many countries with little to no tax if you have children. An opportunity for a lifetime and I will forever be grateful for having Hong Kong as my first stepping stones in life.
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