Life in a Foreign Home

Since 1947, over 250,000 students have joined the AFS Intercultural Programs to experience foreign life. Living far away from home, the participants confront many differences in daily life.

     Angelo Lo Piccolo, 17, came to Hong Kong from the United States last August. He is now living with his host family of three members.

     Angelo joined the programme as he wants to learn more about different cultures.

     Said he: "My parents are Italian immigrants and I was born in America. I've been to Europe, which is similar to America. I want to go to different places."

     Angelo is now a sixth former in a local secondary school.

     "Though I'm studying only four courses," said he, "I find the syllabus too difficult for me.

     "When I was in the U.S., I took eight courses at school but they involved fewer details than the courses here."

     He finds local students serious and hardworking. The education system emphasizes too much on examination.

     "Students in the U.S. don't work so hard," said Angelo, "they have more freedom to design the courses and decide what they want to do. While in Hong Kong, students have less freedom."

     Angelo's daily schedule is packed with different activities. He has joined the 10th anniversary celebration committee of his school as well as some clubs.

     After school, he teaches two children English. Every Saturday, he and some exchange students teach English at different schools.

     Despite his tight schedule, he tries to grasp every opportunity to learn Chinese culture. He takes tai chi, Chinese writing, Mandarin and Cantonese lessons.

     The Mid-Autumn Festival is the Chinese festival that impresses him most.

     "I had dinner with my host family and their relatives in a Chinese restaurant," said he. "Then we went to a park where we lit candles . The lanterns were very colourful."

     Regarding his host family, he appreciates their friendliness and generosity.

     "In America," said Angelo, "children are more independent from their parents. Family relationship is not so close. While in Italian and Hong Kong families, it's much closer."

     However, there are disagreements and misunderstandings sometimes.

     Ms Lee Yim Hing, Angelo's host mother, said, "His friend was sick one night. It was about 11 o'clock and her home was far away.

     "He wanted to stay at her home overnight to take care of her. I told him that it would be dangerous to go out alone at night. He would also disturb his friend and her whole family.

     "He insisted on his stance and finally I allowed him to do what he wanted.

     "Sometimes he regards my concern as control."

     "I didn't know anything about Hong Kong in the past," said Anne. "It is an interesting experience to live in a new environment.

     "I can see a mixture of Chinese tradition and western influence in Hong Kong."

     At the Chung Yeung Festival, Anne went with her host family to pay respect to their ancestor at his grave. Burning incense sticks was interesting to her.

     "The younger generations follow the traditional rituals but may not know the significance," said Anne.

     "Although some Chinese food like snake soup and chicken feet are strange, I still like them because they are much better than German ones," said Anne, "dim sum is my favourite.

     "I love moon cakes too. I got sick during Mid-Autumn Festival as I ate too much."

     Anne commented on the differences between the education systems in Hong Kong and Germany.

     Said she: "In Germany, students are more active. They participate in discussions during lessongs and even argue with teachers. Teachers usually respect their opinions.

     "Students in Hong Kong study all the time for examinations and there is little time for class discussions."

     Learning Cantonese is a challenge to Anne. She once had Cantonese lessons in Germany. However, no such course is provided for her here.

     Anne's host mother, Ms Wong Shuk Yi, said they speak Cantonese in daily life. English is only used for explaining to Anne.

     Said she: "We sometimes use gestures or facial expressions to facilitate communication. We don't intentionally change our lives in order to integrate a new member.

     "In fact, it's important for Anne to adapt herself to a new environment."

     As the only child in her own family, Anne treasures living with her large host family of eight members.

     "I love them as much as I love my own family," she said.

     "I treat her like my daughter," said Mr. Lai Wai Ming, Anne's host father. "She is an integral part of ourfamily, rather than a guest.

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