Kung hei fat choi!

Nei hou from Hong Kong,

Well one graduation down and one to go!
I'm here with colleagues from across the university to organise and run our graduation ceremonies here in Hong Kong which are taking place through our partnership with the VTC in the city.
Dave, Dom and Mick from the Awards and Exams team, Netti from Innovation North, Richard from Business & Law and Bobby from our event partner Logistik are like my new family - there's nothing like being taken our of your usual surroundings to help you bond with people.

I normally get excited at our UK graduations, and it really serves as a good reminder why we're all here, but in Hong Kong although we are running the event in the same way, it is so different. Students bring flowers with them, teddies, and even want to have their photos taken with us  (although Richard has been the most popular so far!!!) which is kind of strange but brilliant at the same time. Chinese New Year has also been celebrated this week, so it has been an extra special celebration.

This experience has been (and still is!!) fantastic and besides being able to explore a new city, fabulous food and culture, I have a newfound appreciation and understanding of just what goes into running our graduation ceremonies. Although our team are always involved in Graduations every year, our role is quite specific in terms of looking after PR including website and photography, but this time around I have been an usher and have the extremely important job of directing the students down to the stage at the correct time! It sounds easy but really, when you speak a different language and even gestures can be easily misunderstood, it's not as straightforward as it sounds! Luckily last night's first ceremony went well, and hopefully tonights will too.

Today was fabulous - we had a free morning and after breakfast Dave and I headed up to the Peak - the highest point on Hong Kong island, on an old tram which almost felt like it was ascending vertically!!! The views were fantastic though, it was definitely worth it.

Tomorrow is our last day in Hong Kong and we'll fly home tomorrow night, arriving back at Manchester early Monday morning. Most of us have been living on 5 hours sleep a night if that, which isn't down to what you think - anyone who has ever had jetlag will know exactly what I mean! It's a strange feeling knowing that it is hours past your bedtime, you are geting up in 4 hours, yet you aren't tired. I'm sure my body clock will begin to adjust just as we're ready to leave!!

As well as getting to know colleagues from various departments across the university, some of whom I'd never even met before, it's also been nice to talk to academics out of their usual settings and have somewhat less formal conversations with them. It really feels like were one big team.

Anyway, it is 4.15pm now and we need to get suited and booted ready for the ceremony starting at 7 - we're packing down tonight so it might be another late night...

Helen