How I have been here

Dad had already gone back to Malaysia, I'm really grateful for having great parents and friends, it's really a blessing from God. Two weeks have just passed, I have already got used to the life here, I'm glad to have awesome seniors who keep assisting us in any means which indirectly makes us not to feel being isolated in this Cantonese speaking country. The living pace here is fast and everyone keep rushing all the time. We can hardly have a slow walk in the busier areas of Hong Kong like Wan Chai or Causeway Bay, but we still can enjoy the spectacular sea view everyday in the university. I can't get enough of just seeing the scenic view from my dorm, blue sky, blue sea, green mountains and fields, white clouds, tiny yachts and so on. This beautiful campus makes everyone here feels refreshing and brightening to start doing daily routines.

The fall term has just commenced, the academic concourse is always crowded with people during the peak hours. I keep rushing from one place to another, my academic timetable is tight, some courses do only have 10 minutes in between. Hectic studying life is typical in this Asian university, I even have my meal when I'm rushing to lecture hall sometimes. The course enrollment system here is not really good, it is really bothering and inconvenient, this mostly happens to all of the freshmen, I sincerely hope the university will solve this issue as soon as possible. And finally, none of my enrolled courses are in the waiting list.

I have dropped my year two mathematics course, taking basic calculus course as suggested by my program advisor. My program advisor is a mathematics professor, he eventually found out that I don't have a competently strong background in mathematics (he said UEC mathematics students have the common problem) when being compared to other students especially the students from mainland China. He also said that my curriculum is better not to do credit transfer as I have enough time to complete all of my major requirements so I withdrew my credit transfer which has already been granted for year one mathematics course. I would still work harder in order to get admitted to pursue my intended major. Now, I can have more time to complete my healthy lifestyle course and to do my common core coursework.

I have been studying in library these few days and I feel glad to be here. I really want to highlight the library here, it's really superb! A high-tech library with nice sea view! It's really convenient to use every provided facility here, I was really impressed when I was having the library tour with my friends. I guess I'll spend most of my studying time in the library, a really relaxing and comfortable place to study and revise. There are specifically designed areas for both group study and individual study, there is an outdoor library area too for students to study. I really feel honoured to have this privilege to study here.

Besides that, the sports facility here is good too. I haven't tried the swimming pool yet, my friends told me it's really a good one that we should not miss to use it. I have been playing squash with my Malaysian friends these few days, I start to love playing this sport! The good thing of studying at HKUST is that we should also complete healthy lifestyle courses in order to graduate. At the mean time we work hard for academic studies, we are all ensured to have enough exercises and sports here to secure a healthier studying life. Squash is fun, I usually play squash with my friends here, I'm gonna be stronger and fitter. We do also have gymnasium here and other great sports amenities like archery, field track and more.

There are a lot of things I want to share with you but it's hard for me to put them into words, especially the experiences I went through these few weeks, both good and bad will shape me into a stronger better person. There is still a long way to go, my university life will be a really exciting one, all of these are the blessings coming from God.

Me with the mascot of HKUST

Me with the President of HKUST