First 5 months in Hong Kong

I am now entering my 6th month in Hong Kong. Finally, it looks like I will be trading by next week! Spread trading Australian bonds, day trading.

The last 5 months have been incredible, both mentally challenging and a lot of fun. I tried to give a realistic picture but left out a lot of details from the fun times at things like Disneyland, sightseeing, meeting people etc, so in between working hard it has also been an incredible time, but you can read my journey leading to becoming a trader below, which is mostly about teaching and struggling to survive both physically and financially ^^

I booked my flight at the end of July to fly out mid August, I had maybe 1 months living expenses and no job lined up in Hong Kong. In fact family had helped me clear a small bank overdraft so I could use it in Hong Kong, I also used that overdraft to book the flight, so funds were limited. Just before flying out I secured a job in teaching, low pay and long hours. I was just so excited to have a way to support myself that I accepted. I was desperate to be in Hong Kong, I couldn't see anything else when I closed my eyes. A friend of mine in Hong Kong viewed a shared flat on my behalf and I told him if it looks at least okay just secure it for me. I arrived full of energy and keen to meet everyone.

I had a few days before I started working and without even realizing it I had rented a room in a shared flat just next to Lan Kwai Fong, the best place to party. A 3 minute walk, probably too short, as I partied most nights, my phone contact list almost doubled in a week, in fact I pulled within 3 hours of landing in Hong Kong, can you imagine. I was meeting people during the day who I had met in Lan Kwai Fong, meeting up with friends of mine who were in Hong Kong. During that time I had started working, but I was still going out after work and getting little sleep. The job was terrible, I couldn't adapt myself to teaching kids, although luckily I was just watching others teach, but I was put on the spot enough to know I was far too rigid. I couldn't let go and smile, sing, change my voice, act surprised on demand and entertain. I would be holding a picture of a tree and would say. Yea.. so it's a tree *look at the teacher* see a disappointed look and think hmm... how much longer left of this.

8 days into the job and I quit, I had started to realize the pay was on the low side, but full time pay for teachers in Hong Kong who don't have experience isn't great, unless you work for the government. The important thing for me was I didn't want to be in a contract I couldn't get out of for 1 year, 50 hour weeks in a job I hated. The hourly rate for part time is much better but comes with another set of disadvantages. I was low on money and regardless of quitting or not I had to ask for money from family. Nights out hadn't cost me much, I could drink at 7-11 and spend less than £10 in a night, I just didn't have enough money to support a life in Hong Kong and had overspent on my salary, although I still quit.

I sent out job applications and decided to remain in Central, which was expensive but I was near the things I needed. I wanted to be able to network and job hunt and find a job in trading or possibly software even though I only want to trade, I didn't feel I had the luxury of choice. I had a phone interview with a software company I had lined up before arriving in Hong Kong. I normally ace interviews, even when I am not suitable for the job, I dunno what it is but I completely relax and my mind clears and I can articulate myself well. I answered the call which was unexpected and said it's okay to talk now. I remember him saying something like you know you have to be passionate about this etc and said would you be? This was after he had told me about a job that was boring me just listening to him. Instead of answering, I said hmm... and gave it a lot of thought, I was too honest and obviously didn't get the job. I went to an interview as an English teacher and ended up getting the job. 80 minutes in and I quit, I couldn't paint picture and colour things and sing (almost a phobia of mine) with 2 to 3 year old's whilst parents/nannies watch. Ah I felt terrible just watching this guy sing, I couldn't overcome my fear of guys singing and left the room and went to see the guy who had just hired me. I apologized and expected an awkward moment I would want to forget but instead I was offered another job teaching slightly older children. I somehow managed to spend 30 minutes negotiating the salary, it was just 4 hours a day, 8.30 to 12.30 (90 minutes travel each way) Mon-Fri with the exception of Monday (2-5pm as well). The salary was almost enough to live off and the same agency gave me work on weekends for about £22 an hour. I eventually started to overcome my fear of singing, and slowly was able to let go. 3 weeks later and I found myself able to project some of my internal energy to the real world as it were, being an INFP it's not easy.

During this time I was feeling out of energy and a friend who I studied with in the UK invited me out for a quick drink, I reluctantly decided too, even though I wanted to I was just pretty tired. We went to 7 11 for a drink and bumped into a friend of his, who said we should join him at this bar which has free drink and food. A business card was needed to get in and I had just one left in my wallet from when I was a trader. I was the only person not wearing a suit, a common site. Me and my friend joined a group of his friends and we kept downing vodka red bull, maybe 7 or 8 before we decided to leave. We stumbled into club 97, my favorite, as the music is just always so good. My friend went to the loo at the back of the dance floor and I lent against a table at the back and my eye caught a girls eye as she walked in with two friends and sat down near the bar. I walked over and said hi etc. We got on so well, and my friend soon left and I joined the girl and her friends to another club. Now we have been together almost 4 months. <3 you :)

Then I started to become really ill, I suffered from dizziness, my glands were swollen, I saw a doctor and was told I had tonsillitis, my 1 year medical insurance didn't cover me past 45 days (due to small print..) and I had to spend a fair amount on seeing specialists. I had an interview with BNY Mellon, an amazing opportunity to become a trader with a really decent salary. I answered all but the first (and easiest question with ease) I was told I was the first to be able to do this, but later told I was overshadowed by traders with up to 5 years experience. Getting a job outside of teaching in Hong Kong is tough, that's for sure. I finally got low on funds and I had to wait about 20 days until my HK ID came through so I could go to the public hospital to see a doctor cheaply. I took antibiotics on and off for 5 weeks before I recovered, at times I could barely walk without feeling like I was going to pass out. I dragged myself to work each day and weekends and continued to job hunt in trading. I eventually was fired from the job and the same agency I had quit on still continued to help me by placing me in part time work, at one point I was just working 11 hours a week as I couldn't keep replenishing my work fast enough (for about £1.3k a month, incredible hourly rate), but I was eventually fired from that too. My teaching had improved massively and I felt confident in my ability unfortunately I was suffering from dizziness and generally felt terrible. I did numerous part time work also with other agencies and lost one job by trying to negotiate a higher hourly rate. I eventually recovered and worked over Christmas, taking kids out to parks, supermarkets, arcade type places and back inside colouring and cutting out, singing etc and secured part time work in private tutoring.

Every month has been a struggle to replace work and without money I would surely have to leave Hong Kong, my mum has short term money problems and the money I received from family (not from my mum) I couldn't really have asked for anything more. Everyday I was busy doing something, moving out of Central to save money and be nearer my girlfriend, just sorting trading has taken 100 hours or so, staying up late till 4am to talk to people in the US by phone and email. When I had free time I spent it with my girlfriend, every moment outside struggling to making a living has been incredible. Eating out and eating amazing food which is also so cheap and I have picked up the language reasonably fast, with a lot of dedication towards it. I absolutely love Hong Kong although my stress levels in the last couple months have gone through the roof, although now I am starting to feel a little more relaxed.

I also made friends with a guy who does very well for himself in interior design, catering, selling tiles. I started teaching his son English, who is 4 years old in a relaxed environment with my new friend and his wife. I attended business meetings with him and he explained his business, he wanted to become business partners. I provided his business with English, communicating with Europe, setting up meetings and still today I continue to do work for him, including teaching his son English on Sundays.

I spent the last 1.5 months trying to get access to Australian Bonds Futures markets after a friend decided to  back me and this has given me a great chance to get back into trading, thank you! I finally got rejected from what seemed the only broker willing to come towards my needs, until recently when I got a similar deal with another broker. I am using the same strategy as before but on more stable markets, the spread looks good and the overall costs will be a lot cheaper than previously.

I am just waiting for my account to be opened and then finally I will be a trader in Hong Kong, which is what I set out to be 5 months ago! With just 1 month of living expenses in a Hong Kong bank account and enough pay from working as a teacher on Sundays (which covers rent) it should be okay.

I am ready for the next challenge of being a profitable self employed trader in Hong Kong!