Backpacking day one

Packing was interesting: I ended up with two bags of extra clothes I could't fit into my two backpacks. I spent several minutes relearning how to adjust straps to desired lengths. I found an esky that I had left in the top of my cupboard and completely forgotten about. I found out that a friend lived just opposite me from the main road and that he was willing to store my extra stuff (Thanks again!).

Walking around in the hot Canberra weather, I learned how to use my backpacks. It took me a while to realise that I could wear one on the bag and the other on the front; that you can use the straps to support the weight of the packs; that there are always two straps that can be strapped over the front of one's body. I will be able to bring 30 KG on Malaysia Airlines, so this is the first time that I have travelled overseas and not worried about the weight!

It will be freezing in Hénán, so I'm bringing the sleeping bag that I bought for participating in the ANU Mountaineering Club. And when I wrapped it up by rolling it out tightly as I sat on it, I was reminded of my one camping trip in the Snowy Mountains (in which I only brought one change of clothes for the whole weekend and had to borrow stuff from everyone. Let's hope I'm better prepared this time).

I am also bringing some cash, travel EFTPOS cards for HK, a MP3 player, a cellphone, an international student ID, travel itineraries, warm clothing, a seat pillow, a watch (that I can't figure out how to tune), running shoes, gloves (I hope they're still in there!), socks, underwear, passport/visa, earplugs, face masks for pollution (which I got in the mail on the day I moved out), a waterproof jacket, a padded jacket, a medical kit, medicine, extra bandaids, notebooks and stationary, travel insurance and accommodation details, and finally, a travel diary my mum gave me... which included a sense of adventure and a book in its "To bring" list. I should have thought the sense of adventure was automatically included! In any case, I should probably buy protein powder, creatine, icepacks and power transformers as well...

I was given a lot of advice about travelling in China: I should only speak Chinese, I should never drink tapwater, I should stay away from street food, I should plan the taxi to the hotel before I arrive, I should always look like I am going somewhere. 

I am now a student backpacker.

10 Things I learned from applying for an exchange programme

1. It's always worth applying for and finishing exchange programmes even if you don't think you'll make it.
2. Institutions that are involved in the exchanges are primarily concerned with filling spaces with reasonably adept candidates.
3. It's always monumentally easier to get all paperwork done in person if possible.
4. It can be difficult to find teachers to give you academic recommendations, but this is easier if you do the exchange later on in your degree.
5. Some universities have 2 semesters, whilst others have 2 terms. Timetabling always varies.
6. Many courses in Hong Kong are taught in English.
7. Cantonese has a lot of glottal stops.
8. Hong Kong is not a popular place to go on exchange in Australia (everyone wants to go to China or Japan).
9. It's like a job application: You have to explain what you have to offer and why your exchange is worth all the fuss.
10. The more communication with staff from institutions and fellow exchange students, the easier it is to fulfil all the requirements.