Embracing Cultural Differences in Birmingham, the UK

SABRINA WONG (FS 2021/22, POLYU)

Going on an exchange is a perfect opportunity to challenge oneself. I am honoured to receive a scholarship from the Foundation which gives me the opportunity to explore the U.K. and study at the University of Birmingham. I enjoyed learning sociology and criminology (e.g., feminism, race, class, criminal injustice, cybercrime) in the British context. The discussions in class encouraged me to think from different perspectives and embrace cultural differences.

I treasure the friendships I made and the encounters I had during the exchange. Homesickness is inevitable but learning how to cope with it is the key to enjoying the exchange life fully. I am grateful to my roommates and classmates for arranging social gatherings and giving moral support, especially during times I felt homesick and lonely. Visiting the world-class museums (e.g., The British Museum and the National Gallery), watching musicals and having small talks with strangers in the UK are some of the new experiences that spiced up my exchange.

A memorable moment along the journey is my participation as a helper in the Commonwealth Games 2022 held in Birmingham. The Commonwealth Games is an international sports event bringing together athletes from 72 countries competing in 20 sports. Watching the gymnasts who continued to complete the whole performance despite misses and mistakes, I was reminded of the importance of being persistent amidst obstacles.

During the exchange, I lingered around museums and galleries in different countries and observed nuances of museum management between the U.K., Paris and Amsterdam. For the display of art pieces, the British Museum tends to organise art pieces by their origins and provide a general overview of the connotation.

Museums in Paris organise art pieces around the world by periods (e.g., 1900–1949) and provide less information about the artwork. Artworks in Amsterdam are mainly based on sceneries and politics and their expression has a sense of humour. . I found joy exploring these cultural differences along my exchange.

Most importantly, this journey has taught me to slow down and be more observant. Hong Kong is a hectic and crowded city where people are efficiency-oriented and have little time to slow down and pay attention to their surroundings. I started to learn to live life at a slower pace after arriving in Birmingham. I walked slower, ate slower, and spent time sitting by the bench to enjoy the sun. I often walked around the lake near my accommodation to clear my mind. The exchange has given me the head space for self-reflection and greater clarity in life.

All in all, this exchange has brought me precious memories and personal growth. At first, I had doubts about living independently. During these few months, I have learnt to believe in myself and to ask for help. I have achieved things I never thought possible— travelling alone from Hong Kong to Birmingham with 40kg luggage, living with new people, completing house chores independently, exploring other countries alone and many more. These experiences have made me more confident and mature and have formed a fruitful and surreal chapter in my life.