【明報專訊】I am a 17-year-old exchange student from Japan, now living in Discovery Bay.

Speaking of Japan, how much do you know about it？

1. In Japan we drink water straight from the tap.

2. In 2020 we will host the Olympic games in Tokyo.

3. Almost all Hong Kong people know about sushi. It is actually very difficult to make sushi, but I often have sushi parties with my family and friends.

4. I am from Toyota, Japan. The city is famous for Toyota Motor Corporation. Toyota cars and taxis are commonly found in the territory, and I'm very excited to see them.

I have indeed had culture shock here. For example, sushi here is not the same as it is in Japan. Different kinds of rice are used. Also, when I travel by bus or by the MTR, I hear many talk on their mobile phones. In Japan, it is very rude to make a call on a train or bus.

I think most Hong Kong people are very busy. People always run on the platform to catch the MTR. I think that is very dangerous. Many Hong Kong people use the MTR, as most of them don't have cars or bicycles. MTR stations are very crowded. In Hong Kong, when I want to cross the road, I have to watch out for cars or bus moving fast. In Mong Kok, I've watched street performances at night, which are very exciting, but there are too many people in the street and it is very noisy.

Although school starts very early and finishes late here, I love Hong Kong because Hong Kong people are in general very kind to me. I am happy that I am here. My target is to make 1000 friends and learn to speak English and Chinese in Hong Kong.

Text﹕Reo Nitanai (an AFS exchange student from Japan)

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