Contemplations in Convivial Conversations
I enjoy a good conversation. Yet, in retrospection, the jovial and affable personality, the gravitation towards conviviality, and the widening of perspectives wasn’t innate born, but rather absorbed, comprehended, and appreciated for me. Each individual has a story to tell. Patience, compassion, and curiosity takes you far, as I find common ponders, clumsy negligence, and refreshed perspectives in synergies of my own in conversations. Extremely grateful for those sharing a moment in time — sharpening focuses, providing afterthought, and stimulating future aspirations.
Meeting D**** and H**** might be a few of those most treasured coincidental encounters in the first year of HKUST, in retrospection. Yet openness and trust created in early years brewed synergies and aggravated attachments throughout common endeavors. The portfolio of mutual experiences endeavored together or in parallel brought fresh perspectives and common ponders onto the table in each cherished encounter, and I’m extremely grateful of such beautiful bonds.
D**** reminds me of the curious, flustered, and challenged warriors we were back in Year 1 — in search of aspirations in studies, alarmed about simultaneous tasks needed balancing, dedicated to hard-work, and ready for a challenge. We went through the Headstart program, were unsuccessful in our initial MSE endeavors, gravitated towards Global Markets, and were strong aids during the preparation process in career navigations. The final year of University was no different. Despite us both being secured with our career endeavors post-graduation, the ponders don’t cease. “How long do you plan to stay in Hong Kong? Which field would you further like to study in? How are firm cultures in China and which industry do you see growth, potential, and fit? Have you thought about your career blueprint, 10 years down the road?”
Mutual ponders create synergies, and as we try to answer each other’s questions, the motivations, unknowns, and essential preparations were clarified, highlighted, and brought into focus. I found myself elucidating my personal aspirations and portraying possible paths down the road by talking it through with others. I’m extremely grateful from learning from the point of views and wealth of experiences from those dissimilar in background — those cultural mindsets, educated values, and available resources that are distinct from my worldview. D**** talked about the push and pull factors as a Mainland student navigating in HK — recent societal ambience, comparative living standards (and expenses), opportunity costs, and traditional family mindsets. “很多北上廣的同學不會想在香港久待的。我們這一代的父母吃過苦，想孩子最好的，在 family connections, available resources, and living standards 方面相比，香港的生活成本太高了。” “對你們台灣同學來說，社會氛圍可能不會那麽不友善，但對我們來說，the tension, chaos, and inconvenience directly impacts to how we perceive societal ambience.” … these were some of the stark impressions that toppled part of my original mindset. Never have I thought in a POV of mainland students in this way — feeling how they must have felt during such societal turmoil.
As I walked through my decision-making process, open-ended and rough future blueprint, and initial thoughts on further studies with D****, one thing became increasingly clear. We both knew that HK won’t even come close to a medium term place to be. We probably could enjoy a standard of living, appreciate the convenience of transportation back to Taiwan, or leverage on the strong connections that we have built through our undergraduate years. Yet, what’s stopping us from further exploring the “next stage opportunity” if we know that, *REDACTED*?
On the other hand, talking to H**** slows me down, refreshes, and transcends — in the end of the week when hectic-ness comes to a close. It is like slowly sinking into the deep woods of serenity, enabling me to sharpen focus, appreciate simple abundances, and remain grounded to roots. Family love, language learning, music composition endeavors, and her love of nature — personal pursuits endeavored not when we’ve got time, but when we dedicate time to such essential priorities that should be placed before anything else. H**** walks through personal challenges as if portraying encouraging anecdotes — I’m oblivious to any trace of laments, discouragement, or pessimism.
Rather than such emotions, she walks through her story openly, talks about the pains and challenges, and dissolves with gratefulness and encouragement of each learning experience. I’m extremely grateful. Such off-age maturity, such self absorbed serenity to life challenges, and deep-dive to the roots of human emotion has been a major stabilizing force for me navigating in unfamiliar torrents. “有時候生命中遇見這些挑戰、家裡發生這些事對於成長來說，是好的。我們眼界更開闊時，會發現學生時期學校發生的一切是多麽微不足道。眼前碰到的困難，再也不算什麼了。”, says H****. For me, that is maturity from life experience.
Thank you, for sharing, and for the moments shared in time.
