The Exchange - My Hong Kong Experience

As I finished the first part of my Hong Kong experience last week (my work placement with Clover Group International Ltd ), it was now time to start the second and final chapter of our time here, as an International Exchange Student at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.  Having the opportunity to study abroad in Hong Kong, within the Intimate Apparel specialism here at PolyU, is such an exciting and beneficial experience to have, that I know will enhance both my personal development and future studies. As the university here offers such a great technical insight, thanks to the fantastic, international manufacturing industry and culture available at our doorstep, we have lecturers working full time as Technical Designers in Mainland China for the Crystal group, as well as publishing journals and textbooks on their work in the Intimate Apparel industry. This gives such a great advantage to our learning, as I know we could not get this experience or understanding anywhere els...

As the first part of my experience here in Hong Kong draws to a close, my four week international placement with Clover Group International Ltd has come to an end... Clover International Ltd, are a supplier and manufacturer based here in Hong Kong, providing high quality manufacture and supply through innovative design and construction to the leading lingerie brands across all markets, these include; Victoria’s Secret, Under Armour, Aerie, Gap and Spanx.  As previously mentioned, my new job role for the past for weeks, was the Technical Design Intern. This was at first a job role I felt less confident within, as I have never had any experience within a Technical Design placement before, only Creative Design, which I always felt stronger towards. Nonetheless, looking back over the past month, I am so pleased that I landed within the Technical Design team, as I cannot believe the amount I have experienced, learnt and practised over the past few weeks, that has positively ope...

If this week has taught me anything, it’s that nothing can prepare you for the climate in Hong Kong, it’s a climate of it’s own thats for sure. Amongst the often daily 90% humidity (hello frizzy hair!), thirty plus degree heat, occasional torrential thunderstorms and blazing sun, not to mention that this time of year (August-September) usually poses for ‘Typhoon Season’ too.  This was hard to believe in the first couple of weeks, as we were so lucky to wake up to beautiful sunshine every morning, planning for beach days and sightseeing in the sunshine.  But, as I now know, Hong Kong’s weather is seriously unpredictable, and little did we know we were about to experience the strongest Typhoon in the city since 2012… As we awoke for our usual Wednesday work day routine, the curtains opened up a city that we were seemingly un familiar with. The twenty-four-seven buzz of traffic, beaming sunshine and the hustle and bustle of people getting about their morning w...

Getting used to city life is fairly overwhelming at first, living in the great British countryside and suddenly finding myself in the depths of Hong Kong’s metropolis took at least the first week of getting to grips with.  But little did I know, I was yet to experience the beauty beyond the concrete jungle of Hong Kong… Surrounded by handfuls of beaches, offering undisturbed serenity or a laid back party atmosphere, as well as beautiful mountainous peaks and views amongst the surrounding islands, there really is something for everyone.  Venturing to Hong Kong’s most beautiful and undisturbed beach Tai Lon Wang, is an experience I will never forget. Travelling for almost two hours by train, bus and speedboat - it was oh so worth it! The crystal clear turquoise water and powder white sand beach sat on a remote island of it’s own, nestled amongst luscious green peaks and national parks - it was heaven on earth! Above: Tai Lon Wang Beach (Tai Lon Wang, Hong Kong) ...

What a crazy, exciting, daunting and surreal first week it has been…Within the first 24 hours, I knew Hong Kong was one of kind, like no place on earth, completely unique in it’s own peculiar and unexpecting ways.  My first time ever visiting Asia, and here I am to stay, in Hong Kong for the next  two  months!  There have been so many adjustments to make, including the time zone, culture shock, weather (so far we have been extremely lucky with beautiful sunshine!) and the language barrier to name a few. But, I can already tell my time here will be full of amazing (and maybe even quite strange) experiences that I will never forget.  Above: Streets of Jordan (Jordan, Kowloon, Hong Kong) The bright lights and buzz of the city, from dawn to dusk makes this place almost indescribable. Living in the more traditional and local district of Hung Hom (Kowloon), and travelling twenty minutes on the MTR to Central (Hong Kong Island), feels like a transporta...