Arriving at HKUST: What to Buy, What to Do

If you were assigned an exchange buddy to help you out, your buddy will probably take you to IKEA and also suggest the things that they think you'll need. It would be best to buy these as soon as possible after your arrival.

Here are a few things that you should pick up in the city as soon as you get the chance. Your buddy will probably have a list of suggestions ready for you but just in case he/she doesn't, feel free to use what I have below as a general guideline.

1. Octopus card

• You'll be able to use this card for the MTR, public buses, and grocery markets, convenience stores and even our school cafetera. 
• First, go to any MTR station and ask for the Student Octopus form. Fill it out, have the school give you the required stamp from the Academic Records and Registration Office, and return the form the nearest MTR station. For convenience, I recommend checking "Hang Hau" or "Choi Hong" as the preferred pick up location. 
• You'll be paying $90 HKD up front for the student octopus card. $20 HKD for non-refundable admin. fees and a $50 HKD dollar deposit.
• After you return the form, ask for a temporary student octopus so you can use it while the card processes. 

2. Sim Card and/or Cell phone

• If you don't have a cell phone that works with a sim card, you can purchase a cheap cell phone in Hong Kong. I've heard that data plans are also available for those who want it. 

3. Pillows, blankets, bed sheets

• Your buddy will probably take you to the Ikea in Kowloon Bay to buy cheap dorm essentials. If you don't have a buddy to show you how to get there, go to http://www.ikea.com/hk/en/store/kowloon_bay for directions. The easiest way is to take the MTR to Kowloon Bay Station, Exit A, and take the free Megabox shuttle bus just outside of Telford Plaza II.

4. Cups, bowls, cutlery (Or borrow from dining hall)

• Once you start missing food from home, you'll start buying things to eat from the campus grocery store (called the Park N' Shop). Case in point: Cereal and milk, PB&J sandwiches, fruit. 

5. Handsoap, dishwashing sponge

• I never used the soap they provided in the Hall V bathrooms because the soap dispenser was always located right next to the dirty mop that the janitorial staff used to clean the toilets with. Plus, if you're in Hall V and you have a sink in your room, it's just nice to have some soap there because it can double as your soap for washing dirty dishes. 
• The dishwashing sponge comes in handy for cleaning. Get one, it's cheap!

6. Tempo tissues

• The Tempo brand is the local favorite. 4-ply portable tissue and toilet paper. It's strong, soft but not too soft, and you can't go wrong with an economy pack of these. 

7. Clothes hangers

• It's cheap at Ikea! 

8. Student ID

• You can get this during orientation, but I would get it earlier to avoid the crowd. Keep in mind that the day you go into the Academic Records and Registration Office to apply for your ID, you'll have your ID picture taken and printed immediately after.

9.  Towel, body wash, toiletries, toiletry basket/bag, bathroom slippers

• The toiletry basket is useful for carrying your toiletries in and out of the shower. 
• If you didn't bring flip flops, bathroom slippers are a must! The showers get unbelievably dirty, so it's better to protect yourself from foot fungus!

10. Laundry detergent, laundry hamper/bag

• Hall V provides a red tub of free laundry detergent leftover from previous dorm tenants. All of the Hong Kong brand detergents will be unscented so if you're particular, go with the American brands like Tide.
• Also, try and pick a hamper with stand attached to it because it'll make loading/unloading clothes easier from the tall dryers.  I recommend this cheap IKEA one named JÄLL:

11. Download HKUST's Path Advisor app.

• For detailed instructions, see my post here.