Hi, my name is Ashley Hom, and I recently graduated with a degree in cognitive science with a concentration in AI/HCI. Through UCEAP, I studied abroad in Hong Kong at the University of Hong Kong during the fall 2024 semester.
Studying abroad as a first-generation student gave me the opportunity to connect with my heritage further. Being raised in the presence of my native Cantonese grandparents and parents, I developed the ability to understand and speak Cantonese with elementary proficiency. However, as I began to attend primary school, my ability to speak the language slowly diminished, a story that is not unheard of among those navigating multiple languages. I have always been interested in relearning Cantonese, but found limited opportunities and resources to do so.
At UC Santa Cruz, I took several film classes alongside my degree requirements, including Introduction to Film Studies, and International Cinema, which expanded my global perspective. In my introductory film course, I watched the critically acclaimed film “In the Mood for Love.” Set in Hong Kong, this was one of the few films I had watched in full Cantonese. I was able to understand pieces of the film without looking at the subtitles, and though I was not able to understand everything, it left me with a strong sense of connection to my family and culture. I felt proud that the language was openly being shown to my peers, some of whom may have never been exposed to its beauty before. My interest in Cantonese continued to grow, and thus, I began to look into study abroad programs specifically in Hong Kong.
Studying abroad in Hong Kong provided me with the chance to practice my language skills in an academic setting, an opportunity that was more difficult to find in the US. I took Cantonese 2 at HKU, a class designed for exchange and non-local students who have prior language experience. Over the course of four months, I learned new vocabulary terms in Jyutping (a romanization system for Cantonese) and recalled old ones, while focusing on grammar, sentence structure, and sentence final particles. To refine these language skills, I worked on multiple video and in-person class presentations, covering topics such as my family tree and my life in Hong Kong.
However, living in Hong Kong also challenged my understanding of the city. While I knew that Hong Kong was an international hub, I did not fully process this until I arrived for my exchange program. I expected to pick up Cantonese instantly, but at the beginning of my program, I still found myself relying on English in public spaces– sometimes out of convenience and other times out of fear of accidentally saying the wrong thing. On the other hand, many student associations on campus use Cantonese as their primary language during meetings, which made me question whether I had the language proficiency to participate.
Nonetheless, I was determined to further my language study by signing up for individual tutoring sessions with teachers from HKU’s Chinese Help Desk program, and I made an effort to practice consistently. From ordering in restaurants to asking a stranger if a certain bus stop was my correct stop, I strengthened my confidence in my ability to speak the language, despite knowing that I was potentially making mistakes. One specific memory I have is from a day trip to Macau with friends who were also on exchange programs. I had a brief, friendly conversation with a store owner who asked us where we were from. I also became more involved with student organizations, which provided me with unique opportunities to build connections with new friends. One such event was an orientation hosted by local students to help non-locals to explore Hong Kong from their perspective. In an activity, they challenged us to navigate to a specific street by asking a stranger for directions. After being waved off by the first stranger (with signature Hong Kong charm), I asked another person who had more time to help, and they kindly gave me the directions in Cantonese.
Following my semester in Hong Kong, which was my last semester of college, I stayed with my family in the Guangdong Province in China to celebrate the Lunar New Year. It was a rewarding experience to communicate more fluently and confidently with my grandmother and relatives in Cantonese than the last time I had visited them. I was able to ask questions and engage in conversations to learn more about my family history. Additionally, I had learned that right before my dad immigrated to the US, he had lived in Hong Kong for three months, an experience that came full circle with my own journey.
Living in Hong Kong for an extended period allowed me to immerse myself in its resilient history, explore the beauty of the region’s unique districts, and embrace local experiences, such as celebrating festivals and sharing tables at restaurants with strangers. These experiences not only deepened my connection with my family heritage, but also highlighted the importance of language in connecting communities together. Through my time abroad, I learned that language proficiency is not achieved instantly, but through a continuous but rewarding process. Upon returning to the US, I brought back cherished memories and connections I’ve shared with new friends around the world, along with improved Cantonese language skills and a strong commitment to continue practicing.