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No Guidebook for This: Diaries of a Black (African) Female Solo Traveler
By Zahra Sachikonye, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Decolonizing Solo Travel: Why Representation Matters When I would research different destinations to travel, almost all the blogs and travel guides I read were from a very similar perspective. These articles were written by mostly white, mostly Western points of view. Their advice, whilst useful, was only relatable to a point. When thinking about safety, I had the added task of researching the levels of racism in a place, something most people have never even thought of doing. As someone with an African passport, I had to apply for visas for countries most of my friends could just walk into. This…
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No Plans, Just Presence: Let Go of the Itinerary
By Zahra Sachikonye, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong ‘What’s on your bucket list for Hong Kong?’ Nothing. ‘Any must-see spots?’ No. I’ve finished my year abroad and I still don’t have a list (Please don’t click off the article yet, I’m not crazy). When I landed in Hong Kong, I had no idea what I was walking into, and that might’ve been the best thing I did for myself and for the places I visited.
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An Indoor Climate Crisis: Lessons in Cross-Cultural Understanding
By Zahra Sachikonye, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong I won the roommate lottery. From the day we met, my roommate remains one of the kindest and most brilliant people I’ve known. I remember the moment I met her and how grateful I felt to have her company and share a space with her. Here I was, halfway across the world about to share a room with a stranger for the next 9 months.
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To Hong Kong, With All My Heart: For the Friends
By Zahra Sachikonye, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong ‘You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place’ (Miriam Adeney)
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It Was Not Supposed To Be This Good: My Trip to the Philippines
By Zahra Sachikonye, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong When I booked my trip to the Philippines, I thought I might meet some people to have dinner with one night but expected to be alone most of the time. I even brought a novel and colouring book, thinking I’d spend my time alone on the beach, reflecting and maybe journalling. I was not expecting to find myself in the presence of strangers and come back feeling like a piece of my heart had been left behind. What was meant to be a short solo getaway became one of the most joyful and memorable trips I’ve ever taken. I flew from…
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Surviving HKU: Classroom Culture Shock
By Zahra Sachikonye, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong ‘Ranked number 1 in Hong Kong by Times Higher Education ranking (2025), the University of Hong Kong is well-known for its high academic standards.’ This sentence may be received in two ways.
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An Impromptu Solo Day Trip to Macao
By Zahra Sachikonye, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 3 hours before we were meant to depart for Macao my friend called to let me know she was ill and would not make it. The ferry was booked, the tickets were non-refundable, and I had bought a Macao data pack and cleared my schedule. I felt sad for my friend who had invited me on this trip but could not go. We both agreed that I should go anyway and make the most of the day.
A study abroad journal by students, for students.
