What is the biggest similarity between your hometown/country and Bath/UK?
I’m from Hong Kong and I’d say the biggest similarity is how culturally diverse both places are!
What’s surprised you about moving to/living in the UK?
I first came to the UK when I was thirteen, and I lived in a small town in Warwickshire then. I was pleasantly surprised by how much more slow-paced life here is. Although I love the buzz in a busy city like Hong Kong, the chill life in the town I was in & Bath is just as enjoyable.
What do you miss most about your hometown/country? How have you overcome this, was there a positive outcome?
Definitely the sheer number of things you can get up to in one day in Hong Kong! Even though it’s a small place, there’s so much going on and everything is so close to one another. You could go on hikes, play water sports, go ice-skating, bouldering, karaoke, explore a theme park and have great food – all in one day. It’s also crowded and lively 24/7, shops are often open until early in the morning. But like I said, there’s definitely merits to a quieter life too, especially when I’m a student. And there are so many things to explore in Bath as well! It’s a stunning, historical city that has an entirely different aesthetic to Hong Kong.
What are your top three things to do in Bath?
I would definitely recommend: the Skyline Walk, Bath City Farm, and the Millenium Viewpoint. If you love hiking or just going on walks in the nature, the Skyline Walk is perfect for you. If you’re an animal person and/or want to do some volunteering work during term time, the Bath City Farm is a great place to visit. They’ve got alpacas, goats, chicken, pigs and ponies. They’re all extremely friendly and cute. You could feed them, or just exist with them and I promise the stress relief would be almost instant. In terms of the Millenium Viewpoint, there simply are no words for how beautiful the night sky is when you’re up there – you’d be met with a stunning starlit sky. Perfect place for a bit of romance or just friendship bonding!
Are you part of any clubs/societies at Uni or in Bath?
I’ve joined the Salsa Society, LitSoc, Fashion Soc and PhotoSoc this year. Looking forward to seeing some of you there!
What do you love most about living in Bath?
The houses. The design and aesthetics are exquisite. Everyday I feel blessed for living in such a beautiful city with a rich cultural and historical background.
What’s your favourite place to eat/favourite takeaway in Bath?
If you love Chinese food like I do, the Chili Family Noodles is the best restaurant to visit in town! It’s right by the coach station. Or, alternatively, Thaikhun or Square Grill House Piano Bar are both excellent.
What’s the best or worst thing you’ve eaten since being in the UK?
This is a tough question. The worst has to be the roast lunch my school offered every Wednesday. As for the best – probably the roast potatoes my flatmates cooked for us last Christmas.
Is there somewhere in Bath/UK that you’d like to go but haven’t been yet?
I would love to visit Edinburgh at some point.
What’s your favourite or weirdest UK tradition you have learnt about?
I don’t know if it does count as a UK tradition but the annual Nettle Eating Competition…?
What’s your favourite British slang/word?
Hahaha “loo” is my favourite. I get made fun of for it a lot whenever it slips out when I’m back in Hong Kong with my friends.
What’s your top tip for International Students?
One of the most difficult things I’ve had to learn to cope with when I first came to the UK is racism. To every international student reading this, if you’ve encountered any situation or conversation that makes you uncomfortable or feel targeted, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Wellbeing team or us ambassadors. You’re never alone and racism can never be excused. So my tip would probably be, don’t be afraid and speak up – you have our support.
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