【明報專訊】“About myself
I am Fleur Boitelle from the Netherlands. I am 17 now and have graduated from high school. At this moment I am in Hong Kong as an exchange student because I want to learn more about other cultures and languages. I am positive, motivated and inquisitive (好問的).”
I arrived in Hong Kong on August 20. I am truly thankful for having such a wonderful host family. While all the other students were nervous about their first week with their hosts, I was welcomed warmly into this loving family which provided me with care and a real family life.
The first week in Hong Kong was hectic (忙亂的). I started my orientation week and Cantonese lessons. I loved the orientation week. It was the perfect opportunity to get to know the other AFS exchange students better and learn some Cantonese words. We also met our first friends, i.e. local student volunteers who have participated in the exchange programme. They helped us with opening bank accounts, applying for ID cards and all the little things we had never thought of. Without these amazing people my first week would have not been that much fun!
One thing that really bugged me though was the school registration. I had butterflies in my stomach (坐立不安) before meeting the principal. Luckily the principal was very kind and offered me great flexibility. I could choose the subjects I wanted and they gave me a uniform. The school placed me in Form 6, but I've also taken Home Economics with Form 2 classes. I even had a buddy for the first weeks at school. She was sweet and helpful, and helped me familiarise with the school. I really wanted to know more local people, so I signed up for the basketball team and badminton team. I've also become the treasurer (司庫) of the English Society and a member of several clubs and societies. I have only been here for a little more than a month, but I am learning so much! My English has improved a lot as well.
Since my time in Hong Kong is not long, I make sure that my time is well spent. Over the past few weekends I went to the Peak with friends, had an amazing trip to Macau with my family, had lots of dinners with friends from school and AFS, visited a number of dance performances, attended Picnic Day with school... Honestly, I was really scared to leave my family and friends behind and come to another country all alone. But I have not regretted it for a second since coming here. I made lots of new friends, got a new family and have already learnt so much about the language and culture. I enjoy my school life and of course the food. It has only been two months and I can already say, "I love Hong Kong!"
■AFS
AFS Intercultural Exchanges Limited is a non-profit, international voluntary organisation that provides intercultural opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.
Website: www.afs.org.hk
