Ismail Mardin

Ismail Mardin - Hong Kong
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Classics
College year while abroad: Senior
About the photo: Photo taken from Lion Rock (left to right, Ken, Anthony, and Ismail).
Contact
Email Ismail or Schedule an appointment
Q&As
Why did you choose to study in Hong Kong?
It was by far the most interesting location for me, and the ability to travel to other countries in Asia!
What were your expectations before you went and how did they change once you were in Hong Kong?
I'd expected it to be more similar to mainland China, in light of recent events. However, it was clear from the very beginning that Hong Kong still has its own distinct identity - in terms of its demographic, the character of the people living there, in its architecture and social norms etc. - and it was such an enjoyable experience to live in it for three months.
What were some of the academic benefits from studying abroad in Hong Kong?
Being able to take classes about Hong Kong and China's culture, financial systems, politics etc. and then having the opportunity to directly experience what we learnt in what we saw around us.
What did you learn about yourself while studying abroad?
That I loved living in Hong Kong! It's made me really think about where I'd want to end up in the future, and Hong Kong is certainly a place I'm strongly considering.
What was the most challenging experience you encountered while abroad and what did you learn from it?
Dealing with Octopus cards - these cards are the primary way of paying digitally in Hong Kong. On the Octopus app however, foreign credit/debit cards wouldn't be accepted as methods to add value, and so it took a while to work around this - eventually I settled for a physical card and going down to the train station's ticketing machine each time I needed to top it up. There's often a fix to most problems internationals face when on exchange, and in a place as vibrant as Hong Kong, it's more likely than not someone has been in the same situation as you and found a solution.
What was the biggest cultural adjustment you had to make?
This was during meals with others: In Hong Kong it was perfectly normal to eat in complete silence. When I first encountered this it was a little unsettling - I would try to make conversation and there wouldn't be much coming back - but I soon got accustomed to it.
What was your favorite part of everyday life?
Being able to travel the entire length of Hong Kong within a couple hours, only using public transport.
What was the most memorable experience you had while in Hong Kong?
Spending the Mid-Autumn Festival with a local friend I'd made in my hall. His mother had prepared traditional mooncakes and lotus paste treats for us to share, and we spent the evening in Victoria Park, surrounded by hundreds of glowing lanterns, watching cultural performances and joining in traditional games. It was moments like these that really elevated the study abroad experience for me - not just living as tourists but mingling with locals and taking part in traditional festivals.
What 5 words would you use to describe the experience?
Immersive, Exploratory, Cultural, Enriching, Educational.
What was your favorite food or music?
Egg tarts!
What was the most valuable item you took on the program?
A backpack which could carry 3-4 days of clothes - invaluable when traveling on weekends.