b'leading us to recognize it would happen more than once in our lives where we must make the best of things sometimes. I never drank tea prior to being in Hong Kong, but tea is free at every meal and bottled water had a price tag. I learned to like tea. Many students did not want to try the food options and would rather eat the Western fast food chains we had back home, but many challenged themselves as well. Everything was a process during our stay here, and regardless of our schedules, we learned from every new encounter, every new piece of information, and every conversation we had with one another. The most gratifying part was standing on one of the tallest buildings in Hong Kong at night with everyone, viewing the skyline painted with Christmas lights, and thinking to myself of how lucky we were to be able to see something so beautiful in a place we probably thought we would never be.On a much deeper level, studying abroad is something special. We must be willing to learn, willing to step outside our comfort zones, and willing to be brave when deemed necessary. Life will test us, especially when we never see it coming; Hong Kong was a test for all of us. I tried chicken feet, hiked the Great Wall in below freezing weather, and spent far too much money every chance I had. The only thing that ran through my mind every single time was, This is a chance I wont ever get back. This is worth it. This is going to pay off in the long- run. This was true. We learn to appreciate the little things in life that we are blessed with. For me, I passed the test of self-reliance and came back with a better approach on personal responsibility. Seeing the world is an exciting opportunity, altogether, and for some, the opportunity is a lifetime experience. What a newly-acquired global mindset teaches us are those lessons that are not taught in the classroom. Theres more to studying than just reading books, as theres more to traveling than hotels, fancy dinners, and entertainment. When we merge the two together, life offers us raw aspects of culture, knowledge and wisdom. Over time, we learn to develop respect and value these aspects of studying abroad; only with an open mind do we recognize and make ourselves aware of these things. I caught on quick that Hong Kong was more than just a business hub in seeking potential career opportunities and learning in a classroom; it was also about focusing on who I was as an individual, my goals, and how I could take everything around me and use it in a positive manner. As I write my reflection on the memories and life-long friends Ive made during this trip, I can say that the experience altogether was truly a blessing.16 Langdale College of BusinessSPSRPIRNIGN G2 1717021091 9'