Julian, where do you come from?

I am from Bielefeld, a city located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia , Germany. With a population of around 350,000 it is one of Germany’s twenty largest cities. In the past, Linen was its most important industry. Nowadays, approximately 27% of its people work in manufacturing, 19% in trade and more than 50% in service industries. About 15,000 people work in the Health sector and Bielefeld is home to the famous social welfare establishment, the ‘von Boldeschwing Bethel Insitute’ which cares for the sick and the disabled.

What are its main attractions?

Sparrenburg Castle (pictured ) is its most famous landmark. It was built between 1240 and 1250 by Count Ludwig von Ravensberg. The Old City Hall is another attraction. It was built in 1904 and still serves the same function.  Its façade features different architectural styles, including Gothic and Renaissance

What is your favourite subject and why?

My favourite subject is History, because I’m very interested in things that    happened in the past. I think one is able to better explain things which happen now by learning about what happened in the past.Furthermore, in Germany, History is my major subject and it is a compulsory subject just like Maths and English are compulsory subjects in Hong Kong.I also think it is important to know about the world’s history because you can understand a lot more about political decisions that have been made throughout history . Also, I am a German and because we started both world wars, History is an important subject for us.

What are your hobbies?

In Germany, one of my hobbies was cycling in a serious way, not only for fun, and I took part in races.  Unfortunately, here in Hong Kong, you can’t really go cycling except in Sha Tin or on Lantau where you can go mountain biking. So, here my main activities are running in the evening, as running in the daytime is too hot for me.  I also like to play basketball which is something I also do in Germany. It is however, very exhausting for me here because the temperature here is much higher than in Germany. I also like playing badminton; I’m not so good at it but it is something I enjoy playing.  Another hobby of mine here in Hong Kong is shopping, The currency exchange between the Euro and HKD is great now.  These are my main activities after school.

What do you think of Hong Kong? How is it different from Germany?

This is not my first time in Hong Kong.  I previously spent a few days here on vacation so the skyline doesn’t impress me anymore.  But I can say I love Hong Kong.  I love the people here, everyone is so helpful and nice here.  In Germany nobody will help you if you look around with a map in your hand  but here everybody tries to help you.

Hong Kong is a hub between Asian and Western cultures and this is what I enjoy the most here because one day I can have the Asian lifestyle with typical Chinese things like fortune-tellers and on another day I can visit the German Restaurant in Lan Kwai Fong.  This is the way I enjoy Hong Kong.  My hometown is much smaller than Hong Kong and the highest building in my town does not have more than 30 floors but here in Hong Kong nearly  every  building is a skyscraper.  Furthermore, the lessons here in school are totally different from lessons in Germany. The biggest difference is that the teachers don’t talk so much; in Germany, the students do most of the talking in lessons.  And of course Germany and Hong Kong are two different cultures; the food is different and the attitude of the people isn’t the same.  But I really can say that these differences don’t matter to me.  I enjoy Hong Kong and every day I am happy to stay here in Hong Kong and have such a great experience.  Since arriving here, I’ve had the best days of my life. And every teacher and student at S.C.Gaw, thanks for this; you are one of the reasons why the year here has become the best year of my life.

Von Bodelschwingh Institutes today

The von Bodelschwingh Bethel Institutes are still in operation, helping more than 14,000 persons in clinics, homes, schools, kindergartens, live-in groups, work therapy facilities and shops for the disabled.