I'm Going to Hong Kong!

So a while back (a very long while back) I did two posts about the Alien Resident Certificate--one long one about where to go to apply for it and a much shorter one when I got the actual card. Now if you recall, the ARC was supposed to be valid for a year but for some reason mine was only valid for about six months, which meant that I had to get it renewed since the duration of my internship extends past when my ARC expires. And if I recall correctly, you are supposed to get your ARC renewed about 30 days before it expires. However, since I didn't know what documents would be required to renew my ARC (also since my purpose of stay was no longer to study), I decided to call the Immigration office to ask.

I soon found out however, that since my period of study was over that I would not be able to extend my ARC, not even for purpose of internship, unless I got the necessary paperwork and governmental permission--which was not only complicated,  but could take awhile. However, the woman who spoke to me on the phone was super nice and super helpful and told me that one thing I could do was to leave Taiwan before my ARC expires and return after it expires, in which I would be able to be in Taiwan for an additional 90-days, visa-exempt (as a U.S. passport holder). While I was put out about the fact that I would have to spend money to leave the country on account of my ARC, it also meant a chance for me to either go back to South Korea or to visit Hong Kong for the first time. Now both options were appealing to me as I did want to go back to Seoul for a visit, but I've always wanted to go to Hong Kong as well. The upside to going to Korea would be that I have friends interning there who would perhaps be able to take me in, plus the fact that I'm more familiar with Korea than Hong Kong, but the upside to going to Hong Kong is that it's cheaper. About half the price actually. So Hong Kong it is!

I was initially a little worried about going by myself since my Cantonese is only at a very basic level at best, plus the whole traveling to a new place by myself bit, but I figured it would be okay. However when one of my roommates found out that I was going, she was immediately on board to go too and then my other roommate later also decided to join in, so now it will be the three of us on a roommate bonding trip to Hong Kong. Haha.

So we're going to be heading out this Friday and coming back on Sunday--it's only a weekend, but I'm sure it will be a fun one with so much to see, so much to do, and of course, so much to eat. I'm super excited and can't wait, so stay tuned!

We're going to Hong Kong!