Illumination

By Taylor Raimann

It has been about two and a half months since we returned from Hong Kong. I still keep in contact with my friends there; we share moments on Snapchat and message each other on Facebook. Although it has been a while, I still find myself thinking about the trip as if it happened just yesterday. I think back to when we conquered the steps to see the big Buddha, or the view from Victoria Peak, or when we were at the final banquet dinner sharing strange foods. It’s not just the big moments that run through my mind. More than anything I think back to the small moments. Fragments in time that dance around in my mind comforting me with their trivialness, but also entertaining me with their nature; waiting in line for the bus, gazing at the coast, walking to the canteen for food, the feeling of sand between my toes.

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Painful goodbyes

By Taylor Reimann

Seeing the end of this trip has been hard in a lot of ways. Although I am excited to go home, there are so many things about Hong Kong that I will miss. Chief among them are the friendships that I have made here. I had a group full of all stars, and each one shines in a different way. The input they put towards the project was important, but the kindness and openness they showed me and the other ASU students was invaluable.

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An epic learning curve

By Taylor Reimann

We are approaching the end of the course and I can’t even believe it! We have managed to fit an entire semester of work into two weeks, and it has been rigorous. I have been impressed by the structure of the course and how it has managed to facilitate a lot of critical thinking, meaningful discussions, and deeper understanding of the complexity of sustainability issues in a political context. I now have a grasp on why federal and local governments require so much time and energy to pass legislation- it’s so difficult! By no means do I consider myself an expert in sustainable policy after this course, but it has certainly changed the way I frame and address sustainable issues and their solutions.

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Hong Kong: The journey begins

By Taylor Reimann

Going to Hong Kong as my first abroad destination has been one of the most intense experiences of my life. I knew this course would be difficult, but I did not anticipate how the new climate, food, people, and density would induce culture shock.

Everything about this city has been new to me. The transit system is very convenient and fast, the buildings tower high above the ground, they drive on the opposite side of the road, and it is SO GREEN. I was told about all of these things before I came here, but nothing could have prepared me for all of this.

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Pre-departure feels

By Taylor Reimann

The opportunity to study abroad in Hong Kong has been an equally exciting and nerve-wracking experience so far. I have never been out of the country so I have had to do a lot to prepare for the trip. As my departure day draws near, I feel more and more confident that this will be an amazing journey.

I was born and raised in the valley, and I am very interested to see how the city of Hong Kong is different from the less densely populated area that I have grown up in. I am sure there is so much for me to learn from this trip, and I plan to soak in as much as I can! It’s also comforting to know that I will be sharing this experience with new friends that are also passionate about sustainable policy.

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