The “Study” Part of Studying Abroad
I am taking this class entitled “Heritage and Culture” with an American professor visiting from Harvard University. It is a small class, mostly of graduate students who are auditing the course, and I am finding it to be a delightful change from the typical business related classes I usually take. I have gained a deeper understanding of the Hong Kong history as well as that of China, Taiwan, and surrounding areas, while learning about how the world deals with issues of heritage and conservation.
Last week, we discussed Tin Hau (Goddess of the Sea) temples. It inspired me to go visit one. I took a minibus with a friend to the area of Sai Kung, which is a fishing pier. The Tin Hau temple there is not touristy at all, and simply consists of 3 ornately decorated rooms. It had just gone through a 4 million HKD renovation sponsored by the community, and is still in use today. Apparently, the local people pray to Tin Hau to protect them from the sea and have been doing so for many many hundreds of years!
Why is this awesome? Because there is no way that I would have visited a place like this, unknown to most tourists, unless I ventured into a different realm of study and took a course that I couldn’t find back at the University of Illinois. My sincerest advice to anyone going abroad (or planning on it) is to take courses unique to your previous experiences — try something that you may never get the opportunity to do again, as I was advised to do before I came to Hong Kong. You may find a great deal of value in straying from the beaten path. I must say, it has definitely added to my experiences!
Until next time,
Trisha
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12.02.09
12:14 pm
Hi Tracy,
I did not actually know that– the class focuses more on conservation of heritage around the world and less on the political side of things, but thanks for letting me know =)
I actually went to Beijing in May already! It was a great experience for me as well.
Trisha
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Tracy
12.01.09
6:24 am
It was really cool that you’ve been to China! You know that even some people from the mainland of China have no access to Taiwan even though they’re the owners of that land.
Your picture’s really nice!
Chinese words reflect Chinese culture precisely. They demonstrate that China is a country with a long history and I’m sure you’ll be pleased if you travel to Beijing