The Version of Myself I Discovered in Hong Kong
Aisha Toyekina | Kazakhstan | Year 1 Student | Global Development & Sustainability (GDS)
Becoming Someone New Abroad
My very first semester at Lingnan University has ended - a completely new exciting chapter for me, as it is for every first‑year student. Throughout these past few months in Hong Kong, I’ve noticed shifts in myself - in my habits, values, and how I look at both routine and global things.
These changes were unnoticeable in everyday life. But now, spending my winter break back home in Kazakhstan, I clearly see how different the current version of me is from the one who flew alone to Hong Kong in August 2025.
Immersing myself in student life
Having studied in different secondary schools, I was confident that adapting to the new lifestyle in Hong Kong would be the same. But this time, it was different. Student life in such an international and fast-paced city introduced me to a completely new culture. From the very first days, I was very excited - new people, events, places, climate. I went hiking, explored the city, and tried new food. Within the first month, I joined several student programs: Student Ambassador, Global and Cultural Ambassador, Toastmasters, and also became a Social Media Intern at the Office of Student Affairs.
Because of my love for sports, I attended several selection days for different teams, like table tennis and dragon boat, and eventually joined the Judo team. I settled into hostel life quite quickly, became more independent, and built a warm relationship with my roommate. It was easy to become part of the community - I made wonderful international and local friends.
Getting to know the world — and myself
As the days went by, I became more observant. I started noticing how small interactions were changing different sides of me. One of the biggest transformations has been becoming more open‑minded. Surrounded by peers from different backgrounds and countries pushed me to see things from perspectives I had never considered before. As someone who enjoys meeting new people, I found this diverse community very inspiring. Mandarin classes, conversations with classmates over lunch at Fu Tai, discussions with professors after lectures, and casual small talk with exchange students - each conversation was different, but from each I took with me a new idea or habit to my daily routine.
I also became more curious, asking more questions and trying to understand the deeper meaning behind people’s ideas. I still smile when I remember local students teaching me funny Cantonese phrases or trying to come up with a Chinese name for me. In those moments, I realized how small the world is. People from different corners of the planet gathered on one campus, sharing similar goals and dreams.
Saying yes to every opportunity
At the same time, Hong Kong also showed me how big the world truly is. I had never seen so many opportunities at every step before. My first semester was not only about studying - I tried to say “yes” to as much as possible and make the most of everything the university offered. I especially love the ILP system at Lingnan, which allows students to take part in a wide range of activities - from a latte-making workshop with Pacific Coffee to cultural tours in Central.
This openness to trying new things led me to more activities. At the International Day 2025, I had the opportunity to serve as an emcee, which became a valuable experience that definitely improved my confidence speaking on stage. Later that semester, my friends and I in a team created a project that won 2nd Runner‑Up and Best Presentation Award in one of Lingnan’s entrepreneurship competitions.
Every day brought something new that inspired me - especially the people around me. Many of them encouraged me to start sharing my university journey online, and I began posting more actively on my Instagram (@aisha_toekina), where I share my daily life at Lingnan and reflections!
Stepping out of comfort zone
Coming back home for the holidays, I found myself back in my comfort zone. But it also made me realize how much my first four months in Hong Kong have changed me. I was doing unfamiliar things every single day, and it made me braver. Now, I worry less about making mistakes. Now, I learn to stay calm in uncertainty and open to change, and I truly like this state of mind. And Lingnan has quietly become my new comfort zone. I have my favourite study spots, a daily route across campus, regular trainings, and people I’m happy to bump into every day.
This first semester became a point of growth and revealed a new side of me that is more open and independent. I can't wait for the second semester to begin and to step out of my current comfort zone again: new professors, new opportunities, and many more discoveries ahead! Maybe in a year, I’ll look back and realise that I’ve found yet another “new version” of myself. And that thought makes me excited for everything that is still ahead.
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Last updated: September 3, 2026