Returning after a 6 month sabbatical
Three years after stepping onto this second home of mine in the summer of 2016, I was back again after a 6-month sabbatical in France. Paris was a great detox and refresher that advocated a dedication to life quality, away from the hustle bustle of densely populated Hong Kong. It added colors to my palette of personal values, highlighted misguided perceptions, and stimulated unprecedented revelations. The transition in mindset was gradual, fascinating, and impactful. Implementing these changes of personal values back in the land that has once altered them can be a challenge, yet it is when we change environments that metamorphosis takes place.
I embarked on a journey of exploration of cwb, where my summer residence is situated in the midst of hectic commercial centers. Living as an inhabitant and visiting as a tourist can be extremely different, and so does living in the city center as to the “outskirts of town”. I looked at the city in a different light, exploring localities I normally would have neglected as a visitor. I visited the 鵝頸街traditional market, full of vibrancy and authenticity with vendors sprawling on both sides of the streets. It was situated right next to Times square, and I was amazed by the co-existence of everyday locality and multinational modernity side by side. Strolling along traditional local markets has always been my favorite experiences, I sink into the vibrant ambience, observe the spirited vendors, and watched the diverse folks from all walks of life — senior folks, Muslim helpers, and busy parents.
Goal setting is pivotal in initiated journeys of structured learning. These phases are set up with goal clarification, practical modification, and actionable implementation. *REDACTED*
During the first week of induction, I realized that goal setting before the start of internship also came with questions you wanted an answer about. How is HK as a city to live and work? How do I set my weekly agenda? What are technical and soft skills I want to develop? How is the firm culture? What are areas of further learning and development going forward?… To answer these questions, actionable plans should be set up in place, in areas of technical reading, people connecting, and self-learning. Learning how to ask questions, to yourself and people are increasingly important, directing your inner search and outer guidance that crafts a rewarding learning experience.
Internship is a condensed period when you are exposed to elites from multiple backgrounds. Fellow interns with privileged upbringings, senior management in multiple divisions, and your original friendship circles offer opportunities to stimulate people exposure and perspective exchange. My intellectual prowness, energy level, and social capacities are of a limited amount day and week, thus prioritization of “who”, “when”, and “how” I reach out and connect is of vital importance.
On the one hand, “professional connections” are like a flexible and strong tissue, as opportunities and up to date information sharing come out of rewarding exchanges. These require thought in conversation, include hints of interest exchange, and won’t be sexy and laid back. Yet, engaging yourself in meaningful conversation, you find yourself learning a lot from perspectives, backgrounds, and values that stimulate, contrast, and inspire.
On the other hand, catch-ups with the quality relationship that you cherish, no matter physical or through distant messages, pulls you back to inspirations, passions, and self-values that are pivotal in mental preservation and self-advancement. I reminiscent the conversations, ambiences, and mindset that are opened up during the pure old days of high school, the value-clarifying conversations with Jean and Jessie and Jennifer, and the self-searches during solo travels. These will definitely stay a part of me, directing future roads of endeavors and pursuits.
