Merel during her internship in Hong Kong

What was the first thing you thought when you arrived in Hong Kong?

Finally! I’m here! After all those years of dreaming, I arrived completely independently. A new adventure can begin for me. Although, I have to admit, I find it quite scary, but that’s part of it. That’s what makes it an adventure.

What was the most shocking difference between the Netherlands and Hong Kong?

The humidity! You’d think the Netherlands is on the coast, but once you arrive in Hong Kong, you realize how spoiled we are. Hong Kong is partly surrounded by water and there isn’t nearly as much wind as in the Netherlands! That makes the heat even more intense.

Was there a typical local dish that you REALLY couldn’t eat?

Chicken feet. And I’m not talking about the chicken thighs we eat, where a large part is already filleted. With these feet, you have to be careful their claws don’t scratch your tongue. You can feel every joint the little creature walked with. It’s greasy, but people in Hong Kong eat it because of the collagen. They say it gives you beautiful skin! For me… once and never again.

What did you learn from your experience abroad? Was it the beloved community you liked? The cheap cocktails? The beautiful nature? Or was your experience less than expected? Details, we want details!

They say everything is done differently in Asia. Yes, Asians do a lot differently. But who goes on vacation to a country expecting they can do everything the way they are used to at home? As long as you travel with open eyes, the change won’t affect you negatively. Embrace it! This is what you came for.

The nature is definitely beautiful! Every time I realize how boring the Netherlands is. And FLAT. Very boring. Hong Kong and Japan—that’s real nature. Although they have many ‘concrete jungles,’ they put a lot more effort into keeping the parks and nature they have grand and beautiful. Wherever a tree can be planted, they do it. We Dutch could definitely learn from that, I think.

In short, my experience was more than I expected! I met very special people and truly enjoyed every moment I was there.

Have you ever felt homesick? How did you deal with it?

I’ve never really felt homesick. I was so happy to be in Asia. I had never been to this side of the globe before. Every day I was grateful to be where I was. Of course, I sometimes felt the need to tell people back home about my experiences, but homesick? No, not really. I know I would regret it if I longed for home even for a second too long. Then I’d forget how amazing this trip is, and I simply didn’t have time for that.

Do you feel at home in Hong Kong? Why (not)?

Yes! But actually, I think that’s a bit unfair. Hong Kong was colonized by England for a long time. You see, hear, and feel the Western world in everything they do. They even play Mozart and Strauss loudly in the metro tunnels. Hong Kong is independent, but everyone speaks English very well and doesn’t bat an eye at my pale skin and long legs.

Give us tips on who you should befriend abroad. The Russians? The Irish? The Chileans?

Everyone!! When you’re abroad, almost all tourists you meet are friendly. You immediately have one thing in common with them, and that’s the destination you’re already in! They have the same curiosity that made them get on the plane to explore this world. The most important thing is to stay true to yourself. You want to soak up as much culture as possible by immersing yourself in others’ cultures. But if you do that for too long, you lose sight of why you’re here and then you get homesick. Other cultures know you have your own ways and will appreciate it all the more if you stay yourself!

Describe the people of Hong Kong in three words

Efficient. Fast. Open.