Hong Kong is one of the best places for young professionals to gain experience. As one of the world’s top economic hubs, there’s no better place for competitive interns to get a step ahead. As an intern in Hong Kong, you’ll be exposed to experts in your field from all around the world, making it an ideal place to network.
Around 40% of Hong Kong’s land is made up of national parks. As an intern in Hong Kong, it is easy to escape from the concrete jungle and visit the nearby parks. During the summer months, locals like to cool off at the Tai Mo Shan Country Park. This park has some of the coolest temperatures in the territory. Tai Mon Shan also has Hong Kong’s highest waterfall, unsurprisingly named “Long Falls”. Wildlife fans will especially enjoy Kam Shan Country Park where interns can interact with macaques and other primates.
China is one of the world’s biggest business powerhouses, and it is continuing to grow. The rapidly expanding Chinese economy overtook the United States in 2014. Anyone hoping to pursue an international career, regardless of industry, needs to understand Chinese business culture. Interns in Hong Kong will understand the important role of Asia in the world economy, and be uniquely positioned for global careers.
One of the best reasons to intern in Hong Kong is the delicious cuisine. Rice and noodle dishes are staples in Chinese gastronomy, along with scallions, ginger root, sesame oil and garlic. Popular snacks include pineapple buns, egg tarts and preserved prunes. Hotpot dishes are common meals in Hong Kong, where the soup-based food is cooked on a stove built into the restaurant table. Stir-fry is also a common plate, both at restaurants and in homes. However, because Hong Kong is an extremely multicultural city, interns will find cuisine from all over the world.
With over 1,000 skyscrapers, the Hong Kong skyline is one to remember. The best view of the city is from the Victoria Harbor. Among the most famous towers are the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank headquarters. Designed by architects Foster + Partners, the three tower structure is meant to embody Hong Kong’s identity and culture while also reflecting the concept of Fung Shui. The building allows for natural sunlight and were constructed with the banker’s experience in mind. Another architectural wonder is Hong Kong’s fifth-highest skyscraper, The Center. It is most famous for its prominence in the nightly light show that glitters beside the Victora Harbor.
Despite the fact that Hong Kong’s official language is Cantonese, an intern in Hong Kong will be exposed to the world’s most spoken language, Mandarin. This is because of the city’s close proximity to China. With over 955 million speakers worldwide, any intern looking to expand their professional network will benefit from learning Mandarin. The language will come in particularly handy for those interested in international trade, business, finance and economics.
Hong Kong is the third most important city in the world for finance. Along with New York City and London, Hong Kong is the best city for young professionals looking to stand out. It also happens to be a global trading hub, great for interns interested in trade, business, finance and economics. The Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom has even listed Hong Kong as the world’s freest market economy, as the area is known for low taxes and free trade.
Although Hong Kong is a city that never sleeps, it does meditate. Interns abroad have the chance to learn about Buddhist practices and visit temples, as many locals practice Buddhism. An intern in Hong Kong will find the peace and stillness of the Po Lin Monastery a stark contrast to the city’s frenetic bustle. A tribute to the Gods of Literature and War, the Man Mo Temple is another beautiful place to meditate and is located in downtown Hong Kong, near the financial district.
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Photos:
1. Wong Tai Sin Temple, by Andrew Moore, CC BY-SA 2.0
2. Courtesy of The Intern Group
3. View from the Peak, by Bernard Spragg, CC 1.0