HKU Bulletin October 2003 (Vol. 5 No. 1)

EXCHANGE STUDENTS 20 21 G lobal ization is more than a concept for Thomas Colonna because this Italian has managed to fit in a year at The University of Hong Kong before embarking on a Master’s degree in Germany, this autumn. This experience of life in the former colony has given him a greater taste for both China and the Fragrant Harbour and provided he is not blown off course he intends to drop anchor back at HKU. He said: “I decided to come to Hong Kong to study English because I wanted a different perspective on my subject. I believed that a former British colony, caught in the middle between China and the West, could make me experience the true meaning of concepts like post-colonial and East meets West.” Arriving in autumn 2002, Colonna took up a batch of courses in the Department of English with the aim of broadening his experience as a l inguist with both Engl ish and Chinese on his agenda. By his own admission the hardest part of adapting to life in crowded Hong Kong was getting used to sharing a room in his residential hall after the comparative privacy taken for granted in Euro C p o e l . onna said: “I was not used to it but I believe that staying in a hall has given me a new experience and the chance to share the lives of young students in Hong Kong. With this I have got a better understanding of Hong Kong society in general so on the whole I am positive about the experience.” At the same time Colonna began learning both Cantonese and Mandarin in a bid to better understand greater China culture. He said: “I believe that China will be an essential global power and I wanted to learn Chinese and experience the Mainland. I thought having Hong Kong as a point of arr ival and departure would help cushion the possible cultural shock.” Now in Freiburg, Germany, the Italian scholar is studying for a Master of Arts degree that combines English, French and Spanish studies which he will complete in 18 months’ time. He does, however, intend to brush up on his Chinese. Colonna said: “I am very interested in the International Relations Master degree because it focuses on relations between China and the West. I thus plan to come back to Hong Kong after completing my Masters.” The Italian freely admitted he has fallen in love with the Pearl of the Orient. He added: “There’s a special atmosphere in Hong Kong that is hard to find anywhere else in the world. I think the main reason for it is that it is a truly international city, combining Chinese values with a Western style of life, without ever losing its link to Asia. “HKU is a good representation and realization of this spirit.” A Taste for the East