In this episode, we follow the footsteps of Clara Hluszko pontet, an exchange student from France, as she rediscovers Hong Kong through her sincere observations and heartfelt experiences. Through her eyes, we see a city layered with contrasts, rich with complexity, and generous in its ability to embrace those who arrive as strangers. This is not just a temporary journey — it is a profound exploration of cultural collision, identity reconstruction, and the search for emotional belonging.
Clara is from Paris, the "city of fashion," a place admired around the world. When she first arrived in Hong Kong, her expectations were modest, if not skeptical. With a hint of comparison, she thought, "This place probably won't be as charming as Paris." Her initial choice for exchange was actually the Chinese Mainland — a destination she believed would offer a more "authentic" Asian cultural experience, especially since she already spoke some Mandarin. But life had its own plans, and a twist of fate brought her to Hong Kong — a name that once meant little more than a vague dot on the map, now transformed into a place she would grow to love deeply.
Her first days in Hong Kong felt like stepping into a colorful yet chaotic dream. Language barriers, unfamiliar customs, and strict school rules left her confused and overwhelmed. She vividly remembers her first detention for arriving late — standing in line with unfamiliar faces, surrounded by conversations in Cantonese she couldn't understand, feeling like a lost child in an unfamiliar world. But slowly, gently — like waves brushing the shore — she began to open up. Moment by moment, she started to find her rhythm within the city's unique pulse.
Before she realized it, Clara was confidently bargaining in Cantonese — albeit with a French accent — at local markets. She could walk into a packed cha chaan teng and order "Satay beef noodles, no veggies, iced lemon tea, less sugar" without hesitation. She recalls the first time she tasted sweet and sour pork — the unexpected clash of flavors shocked her. But today, it's her comfort food, her "taste of Hong Kong," especially when she misses home.
One of her most unforgettable memories came during last year's Dragon Boat Festival. Unlike most spectators, Clara didn't just watch — she joined the dragon dance itself. Under the blazing sun, she and her teammates carried the heavy dragon head for three long hours, drenched in sweat, their feet pounding the asphalt to the beat of the drums. Her muscles ached, the air was thick, and the noise deafening — but in that moment, she wasn't reading about Chinese culture in a textbook. She was living it. For the first time, she didn't feel like a curious observer; she felt like a Hongkonger — part of something bigger, older, and more meaningful than herself.
Clara often says that what fascinates her most about Hong Kong is its constant contradiction in perfect harmony. Glass skyscrapers reflect the fading walls of century-old tong laus. The modern escalators of Mid-levels run alongside herbal tea shops filled with the scent of bitter roots. The ringing of church bells might overlap with distant temple chants. It's a city like a masterfully mixed cocktail — complex, unexpected, and uniquely balanced. This strange, beautiful blend reshaped her understanding of "home." It is no longer a fixed point on a map, but a space that accepts all your changes and holds you gently through them.
Every day in Hong Kong, Clara learns something new — not just about the city, but about herself. From the warm care of her host family, to squeezing into photo booths with her "little sisters" in Causeway Bay, to laughing with friends in the bustling streets of Mong Kok — these small, scattered moments have come together to form a safe harbor. The sense of distance and alienation she once felt has slowly faded through shared meals, mountain hikes, local slang, and movie nights.
She says she may return to France one day, but Hong Kong will always hold a special place in her heart. The lights of Victoria Harbour, the silhouette of Lion Rock, the flakiness of a perfectly baked egg tart, and the memory of dancing under the dragon's head on a hot summer afternoon — all of it has become part of her. The city that once overwhelmed her has now become a home that shaped her.
Clara's story is not just about cultural exchange. It's about transformation. About losing and finding yourself in a place that wasn't meant to be permanent, but somehow became irreplaceable. Hong Kong is no longer just where she stayed — it's where she grew, where she belonged, and where she became.
(Produced by Kiki, Jack Wang, Ian and Felicia)
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