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Depending on the orientation of your eye, Hong Kong is modern-western but with under-lying Chineseness, or it is Chinese with a surface of English-speaking internationalism. No one sees it as half and half.

Hong Kong today is a product of its unique history, populated by many cultures, deeply traditional in some ways and in others more modern than tomorrow. The surface is certainly western and high-tech, but you will find a society of traditions underlying the diversity. You’ll share Hong Kong with lots of people, and learn to get used to the crowds, noise, street traffic, and speed. With more cellular phones per capita than anywhere else on earth, more than 70 percent of Hong Kong is still rural, with traditional villages and country parks to balance the skyscrapers and neon lights. In short it is a city of contrasts.

People, Culture, & Language

One of the world’s most densely populated areas, Hong Kong has been commercial and urban from the start, multi-racial as well as multi-cultural. There are Parsees and Sikhs as well as Muslims and Hindus, Jews and Christians as well as Buddhists, Confucians, and Taoists. Social life moves beyond the ethnic group more today than in the past, but the dominant culture is Chinese.

As a newcomer to the community, it is you who will have to adjust to the native culture, and the culture in Hong Kong is complex indeed. Be ready to see Hong Kong perpetually in motion. Appearances, as well as substance, can change every day. It is important to keep an open mind and a cool head as you approach life in this city. Once acclimatized, you will enjoy the wonderful opportunities Hong Kong has to offer.

Hong Kong’s two official languages are English (British) which is used mainly for business, banking, and law, and the Chinese dialect known as Cantonese generally used for day-to-day activities. Mandarin, the Chinese dialect that predominates in China itself, is increasingly in use and will be taught in the Syracuse language classes.

Arrival and Orientation

Upon arrival in Hong Kong, the Resident Director will met you and together you’ll spend a day in orientation activities in Hong Kong in order to rest, recover from jet lag, and receive valuable information about their semester in Hong Kong. You’ll have time to prepare and pack your travel luggage for the field studies seminar. The following day kick starts your ten-day field studies seminar to Guilin (or sometimes Xian), Beijing, and Shanghai, where you will be introduced to the culture and political economy of the region, and be able to speak with the resident director about the coming semester.

At the end of the field studies seminar, you’ll return to Hong Kong for more orientation, move into your semester housing, and register for courses. The resident director and staff are available to assist your transition. Your orientation and transition into Hong Kong culture never really ends as Syracuse University staff are available at all times throughout the semester for advice, explanations, and help.

Living Arrangements

In Hong Kong, local university students usually do not live in residence halls, which are reserved for visiting researchers and international guests. For the SU program, arrangements have been made to enable you to live in double rooms in a residence hall on or near the City University campus. You will have an opportunity to meet exchange students from the Mainland, who are also housed in the residence halls.

City University is conveniently located near a modern shopping center and major subway station in Kowloon, the central district of Hong Kong. Please note, meals are not included in the program fee, but you can find many small restaurants near the university, and City University’s canteen is very affordable.

Climate

Hong Kong lies along the southeast coast of China, on much the same latitude as Hawaii. June marks the beginning of summer, sunny but with occasional thundershowers. June is also the wettest month, when the summer monsoon begins. Temperatures from June through mid-September range from 26°C (79°F) to 33°C (91°F). Autumn lasts from October through December, and the weather is generally sunny and dry. Temperatures from October through December range from 18°C (64°F) to 28°C (82°F).

Winter in Hong Kong is chilly, with winds and overcast skies, and the occasional cold drizzle. Although there can be warm and pleasant days, you’ll need a warm sweater or jacket, preferably rainproof. Winter lasts from late December through February and temperatures range from 14°C (57°F) to 20°C (68°F). Spring comes in March and continues through May. In Spring, it can be very humid with occasional mist and rain showers. Temperatures from June through mid-September range from 26°C (79°F) to 27°C (80°F).

Typhoons vary in size and usually occur from mid-July to mid-October. They bring rain and wind, and can last for days. During a severe typhoon, businesses may close. There will be warning broadcasts on TV and radio when a typhoon is pending.

Transportation

Public Transportation is efficient and inexpensive in Hong Kong. A well-developed network of buses, trains, and underground railways allow you to travel throughout Hong Kong with ease.

Mass Transit Railway/Subway (MTR) is the Hong Kong subway system. It is air-conditioned and serves almost all urban areas in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. The subway system is fully automated and easy to use - just follow the signs. Normal service hours are from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) is an above ground railway that runs from Kowloon to the Chinese border at Lo Wu. There are special express trains that run all the way through to Guangzhou (Canton). Normal trains are in service from 5:35 a.m. to 0:58 a.m. and cross-border trains operate from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Buses normally begin service in the early morning from around 5 a.m. and operate through midnight, but each route has a different timetable, so be sure to check details at the bus stops.

Taxis are readily available and inexpensive. When waiting in line for taxis you should know they will not stop at a double yellow line. Taxis will stop only on single yellow lines. Women should avoid traveling alone by taxi late at night.

Banking & Money

We recommend you bring traveler’s checks with you, as well as a major credit card and/or ATM card networked to an international financial network. Check with your bank or card issuer for details of use in East Asia. International credit cards, such as Mastercard and Visa, are widely accepted and ATMs are easily accessible. Most ATMs in Hong Kong are linked to global systems, like Cirrus, Access, and PLUS, so you will be able to withdraw HK$ from your home accounts. Remember that cashing traveler’s checks, like making withdrawals with a credit card, incurs a fee.

Phoning Home

It’s best to have a cell phone (mobile) or an international phone card (AT&T, MCI, etc.) for your long-distance calls. These will give you the much cheaper U.S.-abroad rate, rather than the higher abroad-to-U.S. one. You can also purchase Phone cards in denominations of HK$50, HK$100 or HK$250.

Passport and Visas

Don’t forget to pack your passport and both your student and tourist visas. Keep these handy to present at customs, then store them somewhere safe.

Luggage

The word is light-Use study luggage and pack as lightly as you can. You are responsible for carrying all your own luggage, so more is less. Call your airline to double check weight and size restrictions.

Clothing

For Hong Kong, the best advice is to bring clothes that are light, cool, and easy to care for. Things that dry quickly are good, because you’ll be caught in the rain many times. Include good walking shoes for Hong Kong and for your field studies seminar and visits to the People’s Republic of China. You’ll want a backpack that can take a beating and still look presentable, because you’ll be using it daily. Pack a light jacket or raincoat (Gortex recommended) but skip the umbrella, you will be able to buy a cheap one in Hong Kong.

You will notice that people in Hong Kong are very fashion-conscious and that many students at the City University of Hong Kong will be decked out in trendy American sportswear: Gap, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, etc. Cheap, irregular versions of designer brands can be found in the many markets and shopping areas you’ll visit on Saturday mornings. If you wear larger sizes, however, you should be aware that big sizes are a problem to find in Hong Kong, especially shoes and underwear.

Appliances

Hong Kong is a 220 Volt area, so appliances you bring from the U.S. will require a converter/adapter. You will need adapters with three-rectangular pins, British and US RJ-II are the norm. Bring along things like battery-operated alarm clocks, or buy what you need when you arrive in Hong Kong-there are lots of places where you can purchase cheap hair dryers, etc.

First Aid Kit

Bring along a small first-aid kit with pain-killer, diarrhea medication (Pepto-Bismol/ Kaopectate), etc., bandaids, antiseptic cream, sunscreen, and insect repellent (best kind is with DEET, for maximum mosquito-repelling).

Please let us know if you have a special academic concern (such as a learning disability), or a medical or psychological concern (such as depression, anxiety or an eating disorder). We cannot provide appropriate support and assistance unless we are informed in advance of the start of the program.

Medical Care

Syracuse is a member of International SOS, a service that provides students with information about, and access to, a full range of medical and emergency services including travel, health and safety advisories, referrals, care assessment, and translation services in case of hospitalization. See http://www.internationalsos.com for further information.

No special vaccinations are required for Hong Kong, although your normal childhood vaccinations should be up-to-date: measles, mumps, rubella; diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis; and polio. It may be useful to have a vaccination for Hepatitis B; consult your personal physician for advice. If you plan on traveling extensively in Asia before, during, or after the program, be sure to research the issue of necessary vaccines for the additional countries you will visit. Not all countries have the same requirements, and many require additional vaccinations.

The most common health complaints are sunburn and diarrhea. Bring a hat, waterproof sunscreen, and sunglasses with you; and pack antibiotic cream and diarrhea medication in your medical kit. For additional information and health issue recommendations for East Asia, consult the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm).

Travelers to East Asia may be exposed to potential diseases from a number of sources. The most frequently reported illness is traveler’s diarrhea, but there are other diseases which are unique to East Asia or the tropics. These diseases are transmitted by insects, contaminated food and water, or close contact with infected people. Specific diseases are discusses under each of these topic headings. In order to reduce the risk of infection travelers must (1) protect themselves from insects, (2) ensure the quality of their food and drinking water, and (3) be knowledgeable about potential diseases in the region to be visited. Finally, diseases are not restricted to cleanly defined geographical areas, i.e. mosquitoes can fly over city or country borders, therefore, all travelers should protect themselves by taking the basic preventative precautions.

Medication

Bring enough prescription medication to last for the duration of your program abroad. All prescription medication should be kept in the original containers and packed into your carry-on, not your checked luggage. You should have your physician’s prescription with you and available should you need to show it at customs. All prescriptions should include a generic equivalent and your recommended dosages, just in case you need to replicate the prescription overseas.

Eyewear

If you wear glasses, bring your prescription in case you wish to buy new lenses and frames which run significantly for less.

Personal Safety

Hong Kong is like any other large city; exercise caution and common sense when out and about. To protect yourself from pickpockets, be alert in crowded areas especially while on the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and do not carry large amounts of cash with you. Backpacks or purses slung over your shoulder may be vulnerable. You should keep a close eye on your friends, drinks, and wallets or purses while out at night. Make everyone gets home safely whether by taxi or on foot.

In addition to the field studies seminar that takes you to Beijing, Guilin, and Shanghai, you will have opportunities to travel on your own. Macau, Guangzhou (Canton), and Shenzen are three close locations you might visit. You must have a valid, multiple-entry China visa to make this trip.

Hong Kong also has a fantastic World Wide Web site, with information about everything you’ll ever want to know. The Universal Resource Locator (URL or web address) is: http://www.info.gov.hk

You’re not in Hong Kong as a tourist-you’re a student, living here for a semester or year, and dealing with the culture at a more-than-superficial level. This takes time and some effort. It is great fun, but can also be frustrating. Take things a step at a time. Realize that the initial euphoria and excitement can give way to fatigue, even depression for a while. Everyone gets a little homesick, a little overwhelmed by all the differences, but you’ll find SU Abroad Hong Kong staff and teachers understand this and can be extremely helpful in smoothing your transition.

Again, congratulations on your fabulous decision to go beyond the conventional and to embrace the unknown. Your time abroad will be unforgettable in so many ways. Enjoy every moment- it is all part of being a traveler.

• Call your bank and credit card company to inquire about international transaction fees and to notify them of your travel dates and destinations.
• Make copies of important documents (visa, passport, travelers' checks, credit cards, etc.) to leave with a trusted friend or family member.
• Read up on your destination
• Fill all medical prescriptions for your entire journey abroad. This may require contacting your insurance ahead of time.
• Notify SU Abroad if you have any special medical and/or psychological needs or conditions.