Park n' Shop: Crabstick Handroll and Roasted Eel Handroll

Both the Roasted Eel Handroll and the Crabstick Handroll can be found in the refrigerated section (next to the vegetables) of the campus Park N' Shop.

The rolls were kind of bland on their own but tasted much better when I added the complementary soy sauce that came with the package. I probably wouldn't get the Crabstick Handroll again just because it didn't have much flavor, but I liked the Roasted Eel Handroll enough that I would get it again. 

Crabstick Handroll

 

Preparing to eat the Crabstick Handroll

Roasted Eel Handroll

One thing to note is that the handrolls do not come pre-wrapped in seaweed. The seaweed is actually packaged in a separate plastic sleeve for you to take out and wrap the roll on your own.

Final verdict: 

Crabstick Handroll - Nay

Roasted Eel Handroll - Yay

HKUST Academics: What To Expect

The Exams

Most of the students of HKUST are extremely intelligent and study very very hard. You'll find students in the library and the learning commons at all hours of the day and sometimes it almost becomes an issue to find a seat to study. For my management and marketing classes, the average exam score usually ranged between 75-85. Your grades will be based off of a bell curve and I've heard that if your score is around the average, your grade will be a C+, B-, or a B depending on the professor.

I found the best way to study for exams here is to study directly from the lecture slides and your class notes. Compared to exams in the US, there is a much less application of concepts. Exams rarely seem to deviate from the lecture material and in some courses, students don't even find the need to buy the textbook and study straight from their class notes. That being said, attending class seems to be more important here because sometimes professors will throw in questions that refer to a very specific topic they only mentioned in class. Professors will post their powerpoint slides on a website called "LMES" but the powerpoint slides are often incomplete versions of what they show in class. Most local students print out the lecture slides beforehand and add in their own written notes during lecture.

Attendance in class is usually mandatory and is marked by the TA or  recorded using the digital Personal Response System (PRS) that you'll need to pick up at the beginning of the school year.

Click here for my post on the things I didn't expect from HKUST academics.

How to Save Money on Multiple Passport Pictures

During the first week of school, HKUST typically requires several passport sized photos for various reasons such as your student ID or dorm registration. The classes you take at HKUST will also ask for a passport photo attached to an introduction card as your first assignment. It's also nice to have additional passport sized photos on hand for official government documents or visa applications if you intend to travel.

Instead of wasting money on purchasing passport photos that typically cost $5 or more for a set of two, you can save money by doing the printing and cutting work yourself.

Step 1: Buy 1 set of passport photos or DIY a photo.

• Some people prefer to DIY a passport photo so they can use a more flattering picture.
• If you go with this route, make sure you follow the passport photo regulations listed on travel.state.gov
• CNet and HuffPost both have articles titled "How to take your own passport photo" for reference

Step 2: Scan the photo into a computer.

Step 3:  Use a photo editing program (Microsoft Paint, Adobe Photoshop, etc.) and copy and paste the scanned image on to an 8"x10" canvas. To view the ruler guidelines, you can try clicking "View" on the menu bar at the top of the screen and click "Ruler".

Step 4: Use the marquee tool to select the photo and adjust the size down to 2"x2".

Step 5: Copy and paste your 2"x2" image several times on the 8"X10" canvas. I would recommend leaving some space in between each photo so that when you go to cut it, you'll have more room for error.

Step 6: Save the 8"x10" image with your passport pictures on a USB and print at a local photo printing location.

**I recommend printing at Fedex/Kinko's because they have a paper cutter that you can use to really make your photos look professionally cut. Be warned though, they only print 8"x10" photos at the largest and if your image canvas is any larger, the photos will be shrunk to fit the 8"x10" size. I made that mistake when I used a 8.5"x11" canvas instead of 8"x10". Luckily, there wasn't too much of a noticeable difference so it turned out alright.

In total, I was able to print the entire set of 20 passport sized photos for a total of just $5.49.

That's pretty amazing, especially when you think about how a set of 2 passport photos alone can typically cost you $5 or more!

An HKUST Exchange Student's Packing List

Thestudyabroadblog.com has a great packing list for students studying abroad for a year and is applicable to semester exchange students as well. For my list, I've pulled together items from thestudyabroadblog's packing list & UofI's packing list and added a few items/comments of my own.

School

• Cantonese-English Dictionary or App
• Backpack/Day bag
• If your school backpack around the size of a Jansport or smaller, I would recommend bringing another larger-sized hiking/traveling backpack for weekend trips. 
• School's Program Guidebook
• You probably don't need to print these, but just read over the guidebooks before you go. The University of Illinois and UCEAP both have great ones to prep you for your trip and HKUST's Global Student Office also produces a fantastic one with in-depth details about local living. 
• Pens, Pencils, eraser
• Scientific calculator or a cheap pocket-sized 4 function calculator 
• Graphing calculators are usually not allowed for most tests unless you're taking certain engineering or math courses. 
• Schedule Planner for class

      What not to bring: Folders, binders, notebooks 

• HKUST uses size A4 paper (8.3x11.7" or 210x297mm) which is slightly longer than the standard US Letter size (8.5x11" or 216x279mm)
• These can all be purchased cheaply at the campus book store or at some of the dollar stores in Mong Kok. 
• Note: The folders in Hong Kong aren't your typical two pocket folders, but are instead an L-Shaped plastic sleeve. Two pocket folders seem hard to find in Hong Kong, if you're picky about that sort of thing.

Two Pocket folder

A4 L-Shaped folder

Bed & Bath

• Toiletries - Travel size, full size (?)
• Bring at least a weeks worth to last you until you can buy more
• Dove, Head & Shoulders, Pantene, Herbal essences, Tresemme, and Johnson & Johnson brands are really common and are usually priced between 50-65 HKD, but any other American brand will be difficult to find.
• Bring travel size toiletries for your travels outside of Hong Kong
• Anti-Bacterial lotion/gel/
• Bath & hand/face towel
• Bring a small and thin towel because sometimes towels are difficult to dry in the small dorm space. 
• Make sure the towel is something that you'd be willing to throw away at the end of your trip. 
• Small hand towels can be purchased at the school's Park N' Shop.
• Sunblock
• American sunscreens are really expensive in Hong Kong and other parts of Asia. I've heard that some of the Asian brands are quite good, but its much more economical to bring your own from home. The asian brand sunscreens also give you a white cast and are super small in size.

• First Aid Kit
• Bandaids/Plasters are a must for mosquito bites. The bandaids here aren't very breathable and the American brands are expensive.
• Hydrocortisone, calamine lotion, or anti-itch medicine for mosquito bites
• Advil, Tylenol, or Ibuprfoen
• Midol - Not available in Hong Kong

What not to bring: Cough/cold medicine

• Most exchange students usually catch the "Hong Kong Cough" which is a nasty cold that lasts for 3 weeks. Lots of coughing and sniffling during this time, but the on-campus health center will provide cough syrup and medication free of charge. 

Clothes

• Always pack less than you think you might need. It saves space for everything you buy!
• That being said, don't expect to supplement a huge part of your wardrobe here or do too much immediate shopping.  While Hong Kong is a shopper's paradise in terms of store variety and brands, most clothing stores are quite expensive (especially in comparison to the US). Many shops, branded or not,  even small boutiques, often have price points that start at $50 USD just for a single shirt/top and the prices are non-negotiable! Between traveling and studying, I didn't really have time to shop at all.
• Pack for versatility (pants and shorts, long and short sleeved shirts)- winter is really cold, summer is rainy and temperature varies dramatically.
• You'll most likely be traveling outside of Hong Kong as well so you'll definitely need at least one heavy coat if you plan on going around Northern China (Ex. Beijing) during the fall or winter. Temperatures drop below freezing there!
• Nice clothes for going out 
• There are always people going out every Thursday and Friday night. Weekends as well. Some exchange students go out as many as 3-4 times a week, but some don't go out at all. Identify the group that best matches your interests and pack accordingly.
• Good walking/running shoes
• Preferably rain resistant and it’s hard to find sizes larger than 10 in Hong Kong
• Flip flops or waterproof sandals
• These are absolute critical for showers. The bathrooms tend to get really dirty so the thicker your flip flop, the further away you'll be from the grime!
• Laundry can be expensive. 
• You can borrow an iron from the front desk if you need it
• Bring a jacket - one that works as a rain/wind breaker is great
• Sunglasses
• Business formal
• Many management and marketing classes have group projects that require student presentations. It's the culture here to dress in complete business formal for presenting.
• It's also necessary if you plan on finding an internship or interviewing in HK.
• Local HK girls usually wear a black blazer, a white collared shirt, a black skirt, black opaque or semi-sheer black tights, and patent black high heels.
• Local HK guys usually wear a black blazer, a white collared shirt, a tie, black slacks, and black shoes.
• You don't have to strictly follow the local dress code, but looking sharp is well respected and business formal is a must.

     What not to bring: Rain boots 

• Check the weather before you come, but for the most part when I arrived at HKUST around September 3, the rainy season had already passed. Rain boots were definitely not necessary.

Electronics

• Power Converter
• Digital Camera
• SD card(s) for your photos
• USB
• Flashlight
• Really useful for hiking trips that go unexpectedly late
• Watch

Miscellaneous

• Print the Chinese characters for HKUST (香港科技大學) on a slip of paper
• Pack this in your carry on in case your buddy doesn't show up or you're traveling alone. 
• I found that my taxi driver didn't understand "Hong Kong University of Science and Technology." The closest way of saying this in English is "Fo gae dai hok"
• Print out my post on getting Internet access at the dorms
• A duffel bag or a large backpacking bag
• I really regretted not bringing this because this is extremely useful for weekend trips or the week-long breaks when your school backpack won't fit everything you need. When you're traveling to other countries, it wasn't practical to bring a suitcase (even a small one) because they're difficult to carry onto buses and overnight trains. 
• Laundry bag
• Fabric softener/ dryer sheets
• The laundry detergent in Hong Kong is completely unscented. I didn't think I'd miss it, but I realized having fresh, pleasant smelling laundry is really what convinces me that my laundry is actually clean.  
• Pictures of your family
• Non-perishable foods (Poptarts, favorite cereal, favorite candy, trail mix, granola bars)
• No need to bring peanut butter, the on-campus Park N' Shop now sells this!
• Journal
• Hong Kong and/or China travel guide (Lonely Planet, Let’s Go!, etc)
• Water bottle
• Fanny Pack/Neck Wallet
• You won't need this in Hong Kong, but if you plan to travel anywhere, you could consider it.
• Extra bag to bring back souvenirs
• Change holder
• Luggage Lock(s)
• I didn't bring this, but some people had it for peace of mind
• Small personal lock to lock up suitcases while traveling/out of your room.
• $300 HKD to use when you arrive
• A reliable umbrella
• Umbrellas in Hong Kong are of extremely poor quality and are very prone to flipping. It doesn't seem like it would be a big deal, but a higher quality umbrella will save you the headache on rainy days. 
• If you must buy an umbrella in Hong Kong, the locals tell me that they usually buy the higher quality ones from Esprit. You can find the stores here.

Document List

• Visa invitation letter from HK school
• Passports and Visas (plus extra passport pictures)
• Driver’s License
• Immunization record ( I didn't bring this)
• Insurance Card 
• A dozen passport sized photos
• Absolutely necessary for school paperwork, government documents, and class introduction cards.
• Click here to see my post on how to do this cheaper.

Remember to leave photocopies of everything with
your family back home!


Read more for the things I recommend you do before you leave.

Things to Do Before Leaving

(Taken from the Univ. of Illinois's HKUST packing list with added commentary)

MONEY CONSIDERATIONS

• Cash: It is a good idea to bring about $300 HKD cash, to use as soon as you arrive.

• ATM Cards*: ATM machines can be very convenient. Check your bank for international fees or what to do in case of an emergency.

• Credit Cards*: Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. For credit cards there is sometimes a minimum amount of purchase to use them plus a fee for using them.

• Traveler’s Checks: Rarely accepted and thus not very useful.

THINGS TO DO BEFORE LEAVING

General Things, in no particular order:

1. Talk to the IPENG office and/or the University where you will be studying about what classes you will be taking
2. Check out the HKUST website: http://www.ust.hk/eng/index.htm
3. Check out this website: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/login.html
4. Learn courtesy phrases in Cantonese, such as hello, good bye, and especially thank you (for gifts and for favors). Check out my post on gift etiquette here.
5. Brush up on 80’s and 90's popular music (essential for karaoke)
6. Be familiar with law in Hong Kong – drinking and smoking is legal at 18, laws are pretty similar to the States, driving is left side of the road (but don’t drive there)
7. Apply for a Chinese visa for visitors if you plan on visiting mainland China (a visa is also needed to visit Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, etc., so make sure to check on entry requirements while making travel plans)
• Especially for US citizens: Apply for a multiple entry visa while you are in the US. 
• You can only apply for a double entry visa here in HK. If you go to China more than twice, it's annoying and expensive to have to go back to the embassy and pay again for another double entry visa.
8. Set goals to accomplish in Hong Kong (visit every stop on the MTR, etc)
9. Figure out your height, weight, and clothes size in the metric system
10. Find directions on how to call the U.S. (Or just use Skype)
11. Talk to someone who has gone on the program in the past
12. Meet at least one person also going on your program
13. Know a little about your hometown and your home university
• The locals are really interested in school rankings/school achievements and the special things that your school/your hometown is known for. 
14. Let your friends at home know you are going
15. Put your contact info in your carry-on, as well as anything else you might need if your bags got lost
16. Confirm your plane ticket 24 hrs in advance
17. Take a deep breath and don’t worry

OTHER TIPS

• Print the Chinese characters for HKUST (香港科技大學) on a slip of paper
• Pack this in your carry on in case your buddy doesn't show up or you're traveling alone. 
• I found that my taxi driver didn't understand "Hong Kong University of Science and Technology." The closest way of saying this in English is "Fo gae dai hok"
• Print out my post on getting Internet access once you've arrived at the dorms
• Notify your bank and credit card companies that you will be leaving the country so that they do not cancel or place holds on your account due to suspicious activity.
• At the same time, unlock your credit cards for international use. 
• Keep all receipts and record how much you spend, it will help you stick to your budget and you may need them for customs
• Make sure your wallet isn’t exposed—use fanny pack or neck/belt wallet
• I actually think that Hong Kong is very safe. The exchange students and I haven't had any terrible experiences that warranted extra caution; however, you'll definitely need to be more cautious if you intend to travel to Mainland China or anywhere else. 
• Don’t use ATM machines to pull out small amounts of money, it isn’t worth the fee
• Always have coins available, in case you need to pay to use a restroom or bus/taxi
• Shop around, the most expensive hostel or bus doesn’t necessarily mean the best quality.
• Frequently check your online bank account to make sure everything is in order