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Immerse EM Hong Kong
For those who seek the most exciting China Immersion experience, Hong Kong is the place for you. Hong Kong has a one-hundred year heritage of British governance, creating a city distinctly different than the rest of China. Mix together the advanced modernity, the long-standing western influence, and the unique Cantonese people, and you produce the most fascinating, multi-cultural city in China. Executive Mandarin situates itself in Central, the business district of Hong Kong and where most multinational companies continue to establish their Asia headquarters. Hong Kong continues to be the city of choice for most international firms’ first step into China. Here you will be able to study Mandarin from our highly seasoned instructors and then step outside into the most vibrant, alive city in Asia.
Orientation
Hong Kong is truly the most unique city in China. This metropolis offers an experience closest to a westerner's "comfort-zone" and yet at the same time places you completely out of it. Hong Kong's tourism numbers attest to the attraction of the city. In 2002, visitors totalled 14 million; by 2004, 21.8 million; and in 2005, 27 million. Hong Kong sees year on year visitor growth of 20-30%.
The first thing most people praise about Hong Kong is its shopping. The city’s fashion scene trails behind only Tokyo, with the newest trends appearing in stores merely a matter of months after their inception. The icing on the cake however, is for the price-conscious shopper; prices in Hong Kong are easily ten to twenty percent of Tokyo’s prices. Visitors can have their shopping fill as this haven offers the most upscale, elite, fashion houses down to the most black-market, replica-riddled, bargain street markets. In addition to textiles, Hong Kong also boasts the best electronics market in China, possessing the highest quality and cheapest prices for the newest technologies. From laptops to cell phones to gadgets and gizmos you never imagined were possible; Hong Kong has them all.
Hong Kong is a city that never sleeps. The streets are bustling and busy at all hours of the day since the city’s land area is so small and the population density is so high. The main reason however, for Hong Kong’s intense day and night-life is because there are such a variety of venues catering to every interest known to society. Bars and clubs play every kind of music; Hip-hop, Rock, Electronica, Jazz and Top 40 to every kind of clientele; strictly foreigners, a mixed crowd, or strictly local Chinese. If big names and concerts are what catch your fancy, Hong Kong is the major and sometimes only, Chinese city on their Asia tour. Here you will be able to have your fix of international artists and performances.
For those that are business minded, Hong Kong is the home to the most multi-national firms participating in China. While Beijing and Shanghai are rapidly growing in their aptitude and place in the business world, Hong Kong has for decades been the major doorway into China. The majority of international firms set up their home base of operations in this city before expanding deeper into China. The reason is because Hong Kong possesses all the financial and legal infrastructures necessary to make business dealings as risk-free as possible. All higher-end derivative services such as investment banks, legal firms, and accountants congregate in this metropolis. While competition is extremely high, those who feel they want to advance their careers in these fields should make a venture to Hong Kong and try their luck.
Although Hong Kong is the most western city in China, it is still intrinsically Chinese. A fundamental characteristic about this city is that it is a Cantonese city. Most of the Chinese food you have tasted in your life is most probably Cantonese; therefore you will be able to taste the authentic article here. Cantonese food is often considered the tastiest of Chinese cuisine. Native Hong Kong-ers speak Cantonese, a different dialect of Chinese and all their customs and traditions come from the Canton region, the neighbouring province to Hong Kong. This means that while you learn Mandarin, the population’s first language will be Cantonese. Do not fear though, Mandarin has quickly replaced English as Hong Kong’s second language after the city’s return to Chinese governance in 1997.
Hong Kong also feels the need to prepare itself for China’s emergence onto the world stage. More and more native Hong Kong-ers are participating in our Mandarin Immersion program to improve their language skills to better seize the opportunities coming out of China.
Orientation
Hong Kong is divided into four main areas - Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands. Kowloon and the New Territories are on a peninsula of the Chinese mainland, on the northern side of Victoria Harbour; Hong Kong Island is on the southern side of the harbour facing Kowloon; the Outlying Islands simply refers to any of the other 234 islands. The New Territories has a 20km (12mi) land border with China proper.
The city itself is centred around Victoria Harbour. The main business district is Central, on Hong Kong Island. East of Central lies the Admiralty commercial district; Wan Chai, known for restaurants and clubs; then Causeway Bay, a major shopping area. Towering above it all is the Peak, Hong Kong's premier scenic outlook and residential district, which happily has plenty of public green space. In Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui (on the southern tip), Jordan and Yau Ma Tei are busy hotel and shopping areas, while Mong Kok is a bustling residential and shopping area.*
*Taken from Lonelyplanet.com
Orientation
Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea
Area: 1,098 sq km
Climate: Tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall. Hills and mountains with steep slopes and lowlands in North.
Population: 6.7 million
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +8 (Hong Kong Standard Time)
Telephone Area Code: 852
HK Program Options
1.Program Duration
Program duration depends on your availability and language goals. The longer your Immersion experience, the higher your language fluency, and the greater your understanding of China. Executive Mandarin caters to all durations and already services clients who fly in for one week to clients who stay for over six months.
The most popular program durations are:
One-Week
One-Month
Three-Months
Six-Months
Executive Mandarin can accommodate all your scheduling parameters, no matter the length or limitation.
2.Classroom Options
Executive Mandarin is transparent when it comes to fees. We will tell you upfront what you can expect to pay for our intensive, immersion language classes. In keeping with our approach for tailored service, you have options when it comes to class options.
Class sizes include:
1 on 1
Small group (2~3 students)
Medium group (4+ students)
Executive communications does not offer class sizes larger than our medium groups, as we want to create a highly interactive atmosphere and give you as much of the instructor’s attention as possible. The small group options are perfect should you and your friends want to study together.
The standard fees for classes are as follows:
Hong Kong Pricing Structure
32 hour commitment
| Number of students in one class |
HKD per student per hour |
| 1 |
HKD 280
– 370 (35 – 50 USD) |
| 2~3 |
HKD 101
– 160+ (12.5 – 20+ USD) |
|
4~6 |
HKD 90+
(12.5+ USD) |
40+ hour commitment (1-month immersion program, course package)
| Number of students in one class |
HKD per student per hour |
| 1 |
HKD 180+ (30.25+ USD) |
| 2~3 |
HKD 90+ (12.5+ USD) |
|
4~6 |
HKD 90+ (11.25+ USD) |
You have the option to pick a combination of classes; they do not all have to be 1 on 1, small group or medium group. Your mornings may be one group and your afternoons another. You can also split them up into alternating days of the week.
Should you choose to join a small or medium group class, and there are no other students to join you at that moment, we will continue to charge you the agreed-upon group rate while you enjoy a 1-on-1 immersion experience. However, should other students become available; they have the right to join your class in order to fulfill the small or medium group class status.
Classes are split up into learner-levels. Before you begin your classes we conduct a free assessment of your Mandarin proficiency in order to place you in the right environment. Even if you come with your friend and your Mandarin levels are different, we will immediately place you in the right class so each of you can continue on your way to Chinese fluency.
Class scheduling is up to your discretion. Executive Mandarin is open seven days a week, from 8am to 9pm. Therefore whether you learn best in the morning or evening person we can accommodate you. This option is also perfect if you have other interests and activities in China. You can study in the morning and early afternoon, and still have the evening and night to explore the city. You can also schedule your classes so that they are only during the first part of the week. This way you can have several consecutive days off to do weekend trips, or work, or whatever interests you! Here at Executive Mandarin we make your schedule our priority.
3.Accommodations
Executive Mandarin will act as an agent to help find the most suitable living quarters that will meet your expectations. Whether your priority is budget, comfort, location, or all three, we will ensure a satisfactory home for you so that there are no surprises when you land.
Accommodation Options Include:
Accommodation type:
YMCA Building (38C Bonham rd.): Hostel (budget minded, Size 110" to 150")
HKD$5800 – 6800/month (1-month stay package)
YWCA Garden View Int’l House
Standard: HKD$10370/month
W/ Living Room: HKD$10370/month
YMCA Wan Chai
HKD$25740/month (HKD$780 per night + 10% service charge)
YMCA Tsim Sha Tsui
HKD$26370/month (HKD$800 per night +10% service charge)
Finding your price within these ranges will depend on factors such as location, tenancy duration, season, payment plans, etc.
If you are traveling with friends, sharing an apartment with them will significantly reduce your accommodation costs. The rent will remain the same, and you can split the costs among you and your party. We feel the more, the merrier! It is your money, your experience. Executive Mandarin wants you to get what you pay for.
4.Travel: Domestic, Airfare
Airfare to Hong Kong should be obtained through your own local travel agent as this ensures the best prices for your area. An Executive Communications China Immersion team member will receive you at the airport and escort you into the city where we will quickly orientate you to your new surroundings and neighbourhood.
Airfare from North America is between $800 to $1370 USD depending on season, carrier and location. As Hong Kong is a high-volume international destination, airfare to this city is typically cheaper than flights to other cities of China such as Beijing and Shanghai.
Domestic transportation within Hong Kong is extremely convenient. Since the city’s land area is relatively small and density high, the subway system will reach almost all your desired destinations. Executive Mandarin will show you the ropes of the transit system so you can explore your new metropolis independently and with confidence. You will be fully comfortable with the Hong Kong transit system within 24 hours of landing.
HK Subway (MTR):
Standard: HKD$150 to buy the Octopus Card (Subway pass) ($18.50 USD); Included a refundable HKD$50.
Each fare is different, calculated depending on distance traveled. Fares range from HKD$4 to $26. ($0.50 – $3.25 USD)
Tourist MTR 1-Day Pass: HKD$50 ($6.25 USD)
Airport Express Tourist Octopus 3-Day Pass: HKD$220 to $330 ($27.5 - $41.25 USD); Includes fare to and from the Airport.
HK Taxi:
|
Taxi Fares (in HK$) |
|
Meter charges |
Red taxis |
Green taxis (New Territories) |
Blue taxis
(Lantau Island) |
|
Flag fall (first 2-km) |
$15 ($1.8USD) |
$12.5 ($1.5USD) |
$12 ($1.5USD) |
| Every additional 200 metres
/Every one minute of waiting time |
$1.40 ($0.17USD) |
$1.20 ($0.15USD) |
$1.20 ($0.15USD) |
|
Additional Charges |
Red taxis |
Green taxis(New Territories) |
Blue taxis
(Lantau Island) |
|
Each piece of baggage |
$5 ($0.6USD) |
$4 ($0.5USD) |
$5 ($0.6USD) |
|
per animal |
$5 ($0.6USD) |
$4 ($0.5USD) |
$5 ($0.6USD) |
|
telephone booking |
$5 ($0.6USD) |
$4 ($0.5USD) |
$5 ($0.6USD) |
|
wheelchairs, crutches |
Free |
Free |
Free |
*Note: Extra charges for various tunnel and bridge tolls.
HK Bus:Cheaper than the subway. Octopus Card is compatible.
Walking is only for local neighbourhoods and shopping. Other forms of mobility and transportation are reserved for recreation. Everyone either takes subway, bus or taxi. The Hong Kong transit system is one of the most advanced in the world.
5.Food
Probably the majority of the ‘authentic’ Chinese food you have tasted abroad is Cantonese or Hong Kong style. Local Hong Kong food stems from the Cantonese heritage. A large portion of the culinary is soft stir-fried or steamed often accompanied with clear soups. The general flavour is light and fresh. Hong Kong, being a truly international city, has restaurants from all cultures and tastes. Many people make it a weekly or even daily pastime exploring and trying new restaurants. The price range is rather extreme. In Mongkok, a very ‘local’ part of Hong Kong, explorers can find a bowl of Wonton (2 of them each the size of your fists) and noodles for HKD$10. That’s about $1.25USD. The sky is the limit concerning the upper price range for culinary dishes. Revered specialties such as shark-fin soup, abalone, and giant prawns can easily ring up a bill in the thousands (USD) for any connoisseur at a Chinese banquet. A standard meal Western meal usually goes for around HKD$200-$300 per person, while an expensive dinner will ring up around HKD$370-$800 per person. A cheap dinner in Hong Kong is considered anything under HKD$90 per person. Good food constantly surrounds you in Hong Kong, it’s just a matter of how brave you are in trying them all, and how big your pocket book is.
6.Visas
Since Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China, its visa requirements are separate from China proper. The majority of countries have a visa convention with Hong Kong, allowing visitors and tourists to enter Hong Kong without the need for an Entrance Visa. The municipal government can grant visitors the right to stay in Hong Kong for one month to periods as long as three months. Please check with your local Hong Kong Embassy or Consulate for the relevant duration for your citizenship.
As a visitor learning Mandarin, a Visitor’s visa should be sufficient for your stay. Should your planned time in Hong Kong be longer than your visitor’s visa allows, an extension is always an option. If extensions become a difficulty, there is always a plethora of businesses and ‘specialists’ in Hong Kong who can help you secure another visa.
Prices for Hong Kong Entrance Visas, should your citizenship require one, can be ascertained at your respective Hong Kong Embassy. Usually the cost is from 30USD to 90USD.
For those who plan to travel to China while staying in Hong Kong, entrance into China requires a China Entrance Visa. Please refer to the Beijing Program Options: Visa section for more details. The entrance visas to enter China can be obtained at your local China Embassy or Consulate in your native country, or at the China Consulate in Hong Kong.
7.Entertainment
Hong Kong provides all the amenities and entertainment venues you are used to back at home, as well as trove of new entertainment settings for you to explore. As our magazine attests – China Life Magazine – we accumulate an extensive volume of diverse China Expat experiences. Whether it is musical, theatrical, social, or visual, Executive Mandarin knows the best places to go and have fun. More often than not, we will go with you!
Hong Kong, as an international, highly-developed, modern city has a nightlife much like most other major metropolises. The prices however are also similar those of other premier cities. Since the nightlife here is for and by foreigners, the prices are also reflected. A cocktail in Hong Kong’s Lang Kwai Fong will routinely be priced anywhere between HKD$45 to HKD$90 ($5.5 to $12.5 USD). The high-end luxury items, which can be abundantly found in Hong Kong, are priced competitively with the rest of the major cities in the world.
For a regular beer at a local hang-out, expect prices between HKD$20 to $45 ($2.5 to $5.25USD).
A general night at a bar will cost a person HKD$90 to $200. Serious bar and club enthusiasts tend to spend an average of HKD$300 to 370 per outing within their first month. Clubs in Hong Kong – a major attraction because of the quality and variety – are generally more expensive then bars, so prepare to spend between HKD$200 to $370 per person.
Movies are between HKD$50 to $60, with special discounts for students and also Tuesday and Thursday half-priced specials for selected titles.
Karaoke, a mainstay entertainment venue for both foreign and locals, will cost between HKD$98 to $200 per person.
Foot Massages are another right-of-passage here in Hong Kong, and you can expect to pay between HKD$90 to $200 per hour.
Beyond the night life, there are many opportunities for hiking up many of Hong Kong’s numerous mountains and hills. Those who are averse to hiking may find solace in Hong Kong’s beaches along the many islands littering Hong Kong’s bay. These pastimes need not any fees, save the commuting costs.
The major tourist attractions in Hong Kong are the Big Buddha, the Victoria Peak Tower and Ocean Park. The Big Buddha has an entrance fee between HKD$60 to $80, while the Victoria Peak Tower requires HKD$25 for a one-way tram ride and HKD$45 for round trip. Ocean Park charges HKD$185 for regular fare with a children’s special at HKD$93 (ages 3 to 11). If Ocean Park does not satisfy the kid in you, we also remind you that the new Disney Land Hong Kong opens in September 2005.
8.Payment Options
Executive Mandarin accepts all normal forms of payment – Cash, Cheque, Credit Card and Transfer. Hong Kong clients use a variety of payment forms to settle their accounts.
9.Sample Cost Tally
The following are some sample cost tallies to help you plan your China Immersion Experience in Hong Kong. We provide three different tallies for different types of participants; the Luxury, Standard, and Budget Traveller. Please be informed that these tallies are in Hong Kong Dollar, and costs reflect Hong Kong standards. Beijing and Shanghai prices will differ.
These sample tallies are NOT to be taken as your expected costs. Your costs will most definitely be higher or lower than the numbers presented here. Each person has areas where he/she will want to spend more, or less, depending on their preference. These samples are merely to help you think about the different areas that you have to consider and budget for. ALL numbers below are only estimations based on experience and market knowledge.
Please note that Excursions, Entrance Visas, Extraordinary costs such as souvenirs, textiles (shopping) and electronics are not included in this tally as they represent too great a variable to budget. These samples below are only estimations of the cost of living within Hong Kong for a period of one month.
Luxury Immersion Experience (1 Month Immersion Program)
|
Program Options |
Calculations |
Total |
|
Class Options |
|
|
|
1 on 1 class, 2 hr/day, 5 days/week, morning, 1 mth. |
180 HKD x 2 x 5 x 4 |
9000 HKD |
|
Small Group class, 2 hr/day, 5 days/week, afternoon, 1 mth. |
160 HKD x 2 x 5 x 4 |
6370 HKD |
|
Accommodation Options |
|
|
|
YMCA Tsim Sha Tsui |
26370 HKD |
26370 HKD |
|
Domestic Transportation Options
Taxi, class & city explore, 6 trips/day, 7 days/week, 1 mth. |
30 HKD x 6 x 30 |
5370 HKD |
|
Airfare Options |
|
|
|
Airfare, average season, return fare |
8000 HKD |
8000 HKD |
|
Food Options |
|
|
|
Chinese:Western, 1:1.5, 80 meals/mth,1 mth. |
(52 HKD + 300 HKD) x 16 |
5632 HKD |
|
Entertainment Options |
|
|
|
Cultural sites, weekly western nightlife, Cheap beer @ local hangouts, 5 bottles/outing, 2 times/week, Western bar, 3 times/week, 1 mth. |
(30 HKD x 5 x 2 x 4) + (550 HKD x 12) |
2900 HKD |
|
|
TOTAL 1 MONTH COST (BUDGET) |
$82,832 HKD |
|
|
COST (USD) |
$10,619.49 USD |
Standard Immersion Experience (1 Month Immersion Program)
|
Program Options |
Calculations |
Total |
|
Class Options |
|
|
|
1 on 1 class, 2 hr/day, 5 days/week, morning, 1 mth. |
180 HKD x 2 x 5 x 4 |
9000 HKD |
|
Small Group class, 2 hr/day, 5 days/week, afternoon, 1 mth. |
160 HKD x 2 x 5 x 4 |
6370 HKD |
|
Accommodation Options |
|
|
|
YWCA Garden View (Standard) |
10370 HKD |
10370 HKD |
|
Domestic Transportation Options |
|
|
|
Subway, 4 trips/day, 7 days/week, class & city explore, Taxi, 4 trips/week, 1 mth. |
(6 HKD x 4 x 7 x 4) + (30 HKD x 4 x 4) |
1152 HKD |
|
Airfare Options |
|
|
|
Airfare, average season, return fare |
8000 HKD |
8000 HKD |
|
Food Options |
|
|
|
Chinese:Western, 3:1, 80 meals/mth, 1 mth. |
(26 HKD x 3 + 90 HKD) x 20 |
3560 HKD |
|
Entertainment Options
Cultural sites, weekly western nightlife, Cheap beer @ local hangouts, 3 bottles/outing, 2 times/week, Western bar, 1 time/week, 1 mth. |
(30 HKD x 3 x 2 x 4) + (550 HKD x 4) |
2920 HKD |
|
|
TOTAL 1 MONTH COST (BUDGET) |
$45,532 HKD |
|
|
COST (USD) |
$5,452.82 USD |
Budget Immersion Experience (1 Month Immersion Program)
|
Program Options |
Calculations |
Total |
|
Class Options |
|
|
|
Small Group class, 2 hr/day, 5 days/week, morning, 1 mth. |
160 HKD x 2 x 5 x 4 |
6370 HKD |
|
Med. Group class, 2 hr/day, 5 days/week, afternoon, 1 mth. |
90 HKD x 2 x 5 x 4 |
3700 HKD |
|
Accommodation Options |
|
|
|
YWCA (Small room) |
5800 HKD |
5800 HKD |
|
Domestic Transportation Options
Subway, 4 trips/day, class & city explore, 7 days/week, 1 mth. |
6 HKD x 4 x 30 |
720 HKD |
|
Airfare Options |
|
|
|
Airfare, average season, return fare |
8000 HKD |
8000 HKD |
|
Food Options |
|
|
|
Chinese, 80 meals/mth, 1 mth. |
26 HKD x 80 |
2080 HKD |
|
Entertainment Options |
|
|
|
Cultural sites, no western nightlife, Cheap beer @ local hangouts, 2 bottles/outing, 2 times/week, 1 mth. |
(30 RMB x 2 x 2 x 4) |
2580 HKD |
|
|
TOTAL 1 MONTH COST (BUDGET) |
$29,580 HKD |
|
|
COST (USD) |
$3,792.31 USD |
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