【明報專訊】I am an 18-year-old exchange student from Akureyri, a town in north Iceland. I arrived in Hong Kong in August 2013. Everything was new and exciting but scary at the same time.
I go to a school that is quite far away from home. I love transport in Hong Kong, which is new to me. With the MTR, buses and minibuses everywhere, it's easy to go anywhere. I enjoy taking the train to school. My school is so wonderful and everyone makes me feel welcome. I have made lots of friends at school.
Education is very different in Hong Kong than in Iceland. Students here seem under so much pressure. Friends I have made at school do not really have time to hang out after school. I have also made many friends from AFS. It's amazing to get to know someone in such a short time! It is only seven months since I first met them, and I know I will remain in touch with them for the rest of my life.
I have had such a fantastic time in Hong Kong that it is almost impossible for me to choose a favourite day or moment. However, I am certain that my birthday was one of the best days. I had a ''birthday weekend'' as the celebrations began on a Friday and ended on a Monday! My classmates, AFS friends and my host family really put themselves forward to make my 18th birthday the best birthday ever!
In March I went to a Temple Fair. I went with AFS friends and we dressed up in Chinese costumes and took part in a parade. That was the biggest Temple Fair I had ever gone to. Even though we were really tired, we had so much fun!
I have become more independent. This has been the best year in my life, with occasional ups and downs, of course! I will have a very hard time saying goodbye to this city and the wonderful people I have met here.
Text： Gunnur Vignisdottir (An AFS exchange student from Iceland, left)
■Go to www.afs.hk or call 2802 0383 to know more about AFS.
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