I’ve lived my entire life in Jakarta. So when I moved to Hong Kong to study at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, I admit it was nerve-wracking.

Transitioning to a new country is a big deal, especially for first-timers, and feeling unprepared and even a bit clueless about what lies ahead is understandable.

I know from personal experience. If I could turn back time and go through the process again, here
are some things that I would definitely do!

Seek help from your admissions officer and seniors

Although the amount of counseling depends on the university that you go to, usually you will have an admissions officer to get in touch with, who is there to help you take care of your visa, orientation schedule and course registrations.

Better yet, contact the students or seniors in your respective university for information. Don’t hesitate to ask help from these “insiders” because they know what’s happening out there and they’ve been through the transition in moving abroad. Their experience is invaluable!

Get your accommodation in order

Living costs in Hong Kong are considered expensive and while you can always opt for apartments, the best option for students is to live on campus (dormitory). On-campus accommodation is cheap compared to living outside and usually costs around HK$7,000 (US$902)-$20,000 per year.

Pack light!

One of the biggest challenges is picking clothes and possessions for the journey abroad without having to ship them all there. Well, first of all, don’t bring too many clothes. Chances are you’re going to buy new ones anyway: considering Hong Kong is one of the top destinations for clothing and shopping, I’m pretty sure your small cupboard will be full in no time (you’ve been warned). The rule of thumb is to bring clothes for two weeks’ use.

Tip: Use a vacuum bag to compress all your clothes – it’s the best solution for bulging luggage!

Weathering the weather

Good news: you are already used to Hong Kong’s heat in summer if you come from Jakarta, and the winter is not too cold, with the lowest temperature being 6-7° Celsius. Bad news: summer humidity is a killer. Plan to be in a full sweat after five minutes of waiting for the bus outside, even at night. My advice? Stick to tank tops, shorts and sunnies. And pray that summer doesn’t last long.

Bring more money – at least for the first few months

Your first few months in Hong Kong will be costly because you will need to buy living appliances, pay administrative fees and travel around. As a newbie in a new city, you might want to explore what Hong Kong has to offer, and it offers a lot: countless shopping centers, amusement parks, performances and adventurous activities. Also famous among students and expats is Lan Kwai Fong, a neighborhood known for its bars and clubs where you can party and have fun. With additional expenses bound to pop up, it pays to be flexible financial wise.

Star turns: It’s important to find balance when studying abroad, including taking time out to enjoy a night on the town with friends.(JP/Alberta Lowe)

Open a local bank account

It’s always better to have a local bank account as foreign transaction fees and bank fees for withdrawing money from foreign ATMs incur a lot of additional expenses. I recommend you open an account at the same bank where your school has an account. That way, you won’t get extra charge for transferring your tuition fee.

Enjoy those student prices!

One thing I like about entertainment in Hong Kong is that they always offer student prices. From
the MTR tariff, movie theater tickets, to museums and restaurants, you can always leverage your
status as a full-time student and
get an almost 50 percent discount! I got my La Traviata ticket for only $300 compared to the $600 non-student price.

Learn basic Cantonese

Months before I got to Hong Kong, I learned some basic Mandarin in the hope that it would help me communicate with people. Lesson learned: Mandarin won’t help you that much. Although some people in Hong Kong can also speak Mandarin and English, save yourself the time and learn Cantonese instead. It helps in everything from asking for directions, ordering food and talking to cab drivers.

Comfortable shoes are a must

This is something I learned the hard way. One of the biggest differences between Hong Kong and Indonesia is the transportation system. Hong Kong has one of the best public transportation in the world – buses, trams, taxis, the MTR. They are so affordable, clean and efficient, you will want to travel around the city, but with that comes a lot of walking. I brought my flats from Indonesia that unfortunately don’t have enough cushion inside; after a day of wandering around Hong Kong, my heels hurt for two days. So gals, and also guys, when in Hong Kong, comfortable shoes are worth the investment.

Get a weight scale

This might not occur to everyone, but I started to gain a lot of weight after living three months in Hong Kong. The reason is simple: Hong Kong is the place to eat! From exciting local cuisine such as yum cha and dai pai dong, to authentic Shanghainese, Mexican and Italian food, the culinary possibilities are endless.

Studying abroad in Hong Kong has been one of the best choices I’ve made. Not only has it exposed me to a variety of different cultures, but it has also shaped me to
think globally and have an international outlook.

My last tip for those of you who have the chance to study abroad, wherever you’re going – take it. It’s a confusing journey with a lot of twists and turns, but it’s one heck of an enjoyable and worthwhile ride!