Hong Kong is a diverse city where we can learn about cultures from all around the world. Posties spoke to two students who came to the city at a young age, and they were excited to introduce us to the places where they were born.

Sri Lanka

Jocelyn* is 18, and she came to Hong Kong from Sri Lanka when she was five. The island country in South Asia is famous for its tea, spicy food and beautiful natural wonders.

Jocelyn felt that life moves at a more leisurely pace in Sri Lanka compared to Hong Kong. Communities are also closer: “In smaller areas ... everyone knows each other. If someone’s sick, the neighbours send soup or come by to say hi.”

The teen’s top Sri Lankan snack is wadaya. “It’s a fried lentil dough ball ... Sometimes, they add dried fish or prawns on top.”

Her favourite festival is the Sri Lankan New Year, Aluth Avurudu, an important national holiday for the country. Besides eating sweet treats, people also play games. “Players are blindfolded, and we run to this bun that’s hanging on a stick and eat it blindfolded. Whoever finishes first wins,” she explained.

She dreams of making a difference in Sri Lanka by supporting people in need and fostering a deeper appreciation for the country’s beauty. “From the cold mountains to the tropical beaches and fields, Sri Lanka is really a picturesque place. I think sometimes people forget that because of all the conflicts happening there.”

Pakistan

Sam* has lived in Hong Kong since he was five when he left Pakistan, known for its delicious food, passion for the sport of cricket and musical traditions. The 13-year-old dreams of one day being an astronomer or playing football for his home country.

Sam described his favourite dish from home: roti salan, a curry dish served with a flat bread called roti.

“[For] the roti, they use dough, and you have to roll it and put it on the pan to heat it up. When it’s done, it’s crispy and yummy, and you dip it into the spicy salan,” he said. “All these kinds of masala [spices] make the flavours melt on your tongue.”

Sam’s favourite festival is Eid-al-Adha, a Muslim holiday marking the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. It is a time for families and friends to observe religious rituals, share meals, and help others.

“[On Eid-al-Adha], we go to the mosque to offer prayers,” Sam said. “Then we sacrifice a goat and cook the meat and eat it ... We cook a lot of food in the mosque.”

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