Our youngest son, Carter, turned 21 yesterday…and, Saturday, he leaves for five months in Hong Kong. We weren’t sure if we were going to try to visit him while he is over there, but with the prospect of not seeing him until Christmas soon becoming a reality, I am investigating options for a trip to Asia this fall. So today Hong Kong is the object of my wanderlust…
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Carter is studying International Economics with an emphasis on Asia…so clearly studying abroad in Europe wasn’t in the cards for him. We have all been very excited about his upcoming time in Hong Kong – he will be finishing up his summer internship (June and July were spent in their New York office) and then doing his semester abroad at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. However, now that his departure is imminent, I am starting to get nervous! He has traveled extensively, including a school trip to China when he was thirteen, but there is still something daunting about sending one of your children SO far away.
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The campus where he will be living for the semester is in Shatin in the “new territories”, which is on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong harbor and is technically attached to mainland China. It seems a bit less crowded (and overwhelming) than Hong Kong Island. I am hoping to convince Carter to share a couple of guest posts describing his experiences while he is there. And, I am crossing my fingers that a visit from his parents is in order for the fall!
Here’s to amazing new experiences on your journey, Carter!
一路顺风
Yīlù shùnfēng
(Bon Voyage)
What a great opportunity for your son (although I understand why you are a bit nervous as his mom, but I am sure he will be fine and the time will fly). I've never been to Hong Kong! With the exception of Bhutan (and our quick stopover in Thailand) it's been Europe and Africa that have called more to me than Asia. But Hong Kong looks fascinating! Hope you get to go!
Happy Wednesday, Sandy! XOXO
Sandy… Sista's son spent 6 months in Asia. He lived with a family and positively loved it. Her family ended up visiting at Christmas. They had a blast!
Sandy… Nadine's son spent 6 months in Asia and loved it. He lived with a family. They spent Christmas there 2 years ago. I'm sure your son will learn so much. What a fabulous opportunity!
That's so exciting for your son. I hope he will enjoy it in Hong Kong. It is a very cosmopolitan and vibrant City. Looking forward to his posts here on your blog. All the best to him.
So exciting for Carter! You know this is going to be an incredible opportunity for him!
China is an incredible place to be right now, my husband travels there once or twice a year and comes back with the most amazing tales…of what is happening there at warp speed. Say what we will, we CAN learn a lot from them. While we are talking and planning on how to improve our infrastructure, they are building entire cities almost overnight..amazing!
I cannot wait to hear about his travels!
You wouldn't be a mom not to worry but this sounds like a once in a lifetime opportunity! Congrats to him.
We spent two weeks in Hong Kong as teenagers and loved the energy and chaos the island seemed to be teeming with. It was a shock after spending a month in the quiet and polite world of Japan. We hope Carter will share his experiences and perhaps visit Repulse Bay – one of our favorite spots!
xxoo
C + C
How exciting for your son! We're scheduled to spend a week or so in Hong Kong in October, can hardly wait!!
Good morning dearest Sandy! I am late; I took a day trip to my city and spent an enchanting day there with a blogger friend. WE HAD SO MUCH FUN!
When I was on a dance tour of Asia way back in 1978, we almost made it to Hong Kong, but had to return after spending three months in Japan, Okinowa, Guam, Korea and the Philipines. But this place looks like a fairy tale. HAVE FUN PLANNING!
Sandy, Hong Kong looks so dreamy! What a wonderful adventure your son will have, I know it must be hard to let him go so far though. My fingers are crossed that you will be able to go in the fall!
xo Mary Jo
Bonjour Sandy. My eldest daughter spent 4 months in HK last year for internship. She enjoyed her stay a lot and was quite sad to come back to France. HK is a very safe city and she preferred it to Shanghai or Pekin which are very crowded and polluted.
Caroline
Bon Voyage to Carter! What an exciting adventure for both he and you.
I have never been to Hong Kong so I will await the guest posts as well as more information from you before I make plans to travel there.
I hope that you are having a great week!
Elizabeth
Just love this post!!! So excited for your Carter's adventure. I can't wait to show this to my Carter tomorrow, as he'll get a kick out of your Chinese.
Along similar lines, my neighbor (middle of 3 children) just returned from his junior year in high school from China. He stayed an extra 2 months for an internship he garnered for himself. I was amazed at the confident young man he has become. He looked so much more grown up, but had a twinkle in his eyes that was new. He will be finishing his senior year at Andover and then hopes to go back to China during college. I love that there is a burgeoning group leading the way to this far away place so that when my son is ready, I will have lots of moms to talk to! Incidentally, my neighbor did go last year to visit her son and said it was amazing. If you want any tips, I can put you in touch!!
Hope you're loving the conference.
xoxo Elizabeth
What an amazing opportunity for your son. I'm sure he will love Hong Kong which is one of our favourite cities with so much to offer. I do hope you manage to get over there for a visit.
I have been to HK several times, usually for leisure trips. It's a short plane ride away from the Philippines and we plan to go there again next year when we visit home. HK is fairly a very safe city dear, tourists probably make up half of the population so their very keen on security (yes, mom, you can breath a little better now).
Kowloon used to be the crowded side of HK but I guess with all the expansion, it's not anymore. you should go, there's a lot of small tourists spots to see, but the main reason people go there is for SHOPPING!
This is just gorgeous !*love* it all as the messages, the pictures and the quality of the writing. Thanks !