Information Related to "Life in Hong Kong: An Interview with Peter and Corin Forster"
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Corin Forster (27) grew up in southern Illinois. After receiving her degree,
she worked in event planning and graphic design in St. Louis, Missouri,
for a few years before attending Ambassador Bible Center (ABC) in 2007.
Shortly after completing her study at ABC, she moved to Hong Kong, where
she is currently employed at a small graphic design studio. She and Peter
were married just before the Feast of Tabernacles last year (2008).
Peter Forster (28) grew up in Melbourne, Australia. He graduated from Monash University in Melbourne in 2000 with majors in economics and strategic management. In 2001 he moved to Sydney and started working with the wealth management division of one of Australia's largest banks.His current role is head of business development (strategy, mergers and acquisitions) for the National Australia Bank in Hong Kong.
What took you to Hong Kong?
Peter: I was approached at the end of 2006 to move to Hong Kong to work on developing my company's business in Asia. After working in several roles in my previous six years with the company, I was looking for a new challenge and this presented the perfect opportunity.
Corin: Well, Pete was my main draw! From the personal side of things, we knew we needed to at least live on the same continent if we wanted to find out if we could work as a real couple. Pete had just moved here with his job, and I was doing freelance design in the United States, so I came over to try to find work.
How did the two of you meet?
Corin: We met at the Feast of Tabernacles in Italy in 2005. Although we didn't talk very much at that Feast, we kept in contact and our friendship grew over the next few years.
What convinced you to get married?
Peter: I had always felt that I wasn't mature or selfless enough to get married. But after Corin had been in Hong Kong for around six months, I went back to Australia for a week to visit family and friends and I found myself thinking constantly how much I wished that Corin was there with me. I realized at that stage that Corin really was my best friend and that I didn't want to go through life without her.It was that experience and a lot of prayer and consideration which led to my decision to ask Corin to marry me.
Corin: Pete became my best friend and confidant. He pushed me to better myself in all ways and is kind and loving. It's wonderful to have a support system like that in your life. I can't imagine my life without him.
What is the biggest difference between living in Hong Kong and your native countries?
Peter: The language is an obvious major difference. The native language here is Cantonese, which is different than Mandarin, the language spoken on most of the Chinese mainland. I actually really enjoy not being able to understand what people are saying around me most of the time. It gives me a lot more time to think and reflect introspectively. Of course, English is also spoken.
Corin: At its core, Hong Kong is much like many of the Western cities of the world. You can get around easily, buy anything you want, and it has a lot of fun things to see and do. One thing that's different is the safety laws. They aren't as strict here as they are in the U.S. Some are lenient in a good way; some are bad. You just have to get used to it and be smart about what you do.
Was it difficult to find housing in Hong Kong?
Peter: Not for me, as I was provided a relocation consultant who helped me find long-term accommodation, and I was also provided a services apartment for six weeks after my arrival. What was difficult was realigning my expectations to the reality of living in a very expensive housing market.
Corin: When I first got here and was looking for my own housing, I found it very difficult. Hong Kong has extremely high rents, small living spaces and many apartments with less than ideal living conditions. It was incredibly frustrating.
Do you like the local food?
Peter: No. I find it really bland. The beauty of Cantonese food is apparently in the subtlety. However, it's lost on me. Fortunately, there's a very, very wide variety of food available here.
Corin: Some of it is nice and some of it smells awful. But I do try as much of it as I can and I love finding the cheap, local places where most Westerners never go. At my favorite place, the owners love it when I order the one dish I know in Chinese: beef fried noodles!
What has impressed you the most about the culture and citizens of Hong Kong?
Peter: The most impressive thing to me is this culture's work ethic. I'm also amazed that the people here can eat so much and still remain thin!
Corin: I'm impressed with the local people who are very friendly. They always have a smile on their faces and try to help you.
What challenges to your Christianity have you faced in Hong Kong?
Peter: Hong Kong is an incredibly secular society, particularly amongst most of the expatriates that live here. I know very few people here who believe in God, let alone determine it a worthwhile pursuit to live by godly principles.I think the Sabbath is probably one of the most difficult challenges as most people here are expected to work at least half a day on Saturdays and most Hong Kong people work until at least 6 p.m. on Friday nights before going out to party.
Corin: Hong Kong is a very materialistic city. There is a lot of money here and when it's all around you, it's a challenge to keep yourself grounded and to not get caught up in wanting to compete with others for the most expensive things.
Are you able to attend church services each week?
Peter: Yes, we have church services in our apartment each week. I play hymns on my piano. With 10 of us meeting in a confined space with wooden floors, we produce quite a bit of volume. Besides Corin and me, there are eight other locals who attend with us most weeks. Since Hong Kong is a major trading and travel hub, we also have visitors on a regular basis—which we always enjoy.
What spiritual lessons have you learned or come to more deeply appreciate due to living in Hong Kong?
Peter: The thing we both have come to most deeply appreciate as a result of living here is the importance of having the support of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Living in an incredibly secular and superstitious society would not be easy without the support networks that we have. I have a new appreciation for how difficult it must have been for Noah, Abraham, Elijah and so many other faithful servants past and present who didn't have the luxury of close support. VT
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