Studying Cultural Differences, Saving Biodiversity

Is the term ‘urban jungle’ an oxymoron? Can there really be any biodiversity worth studying in a densely built-up metropolis like Hong Kong? Eirik Thorsten Fleck-Baustian thinks that there is. Eirik is in his first year of studies at HKU, doing a Bachelor of Science and intends to major in Ecology and Biodiversity, having been awarded the HKU-UWC (United World College) Diversity Scholarship.

He comes from a multinational home in Norway – his father is German-Norwegian and his mother is Hungarian. “My identity is therefore enriched with all the gifts of my cultural identity, and I feel as though I have realised the value of cross-cultural exchange,” he says, adding, “I lived in Shanghai for three years as a child and I got to see many parts of Asia through travel.” So when the time came to consider university, he knew he wanted to study abroad full time, or as he puts it, “to get out of my comfort zone, to see more and to keep exploring the world.” But he had never been to Hong Kong before and first learned about HKU as an option through his academic advisor in Germany, where he was a viable candidate for the UWC scholarship.

His interest in nature can also be traced back to his childhood, and the influence of the renowned broadcaster and biologist David Attenborough, and his concerns about the condition of the Earth and the future of biodiversity. “I knew from a very young age that what I wanted was a closeness to nature and the wild world. I started immersing myself in animals through books, documentaries and everything I could find,” he says. “This had become my obsession and still is today. I am passionate about the conservation of biodiversity and the preservation of the Earth, not just so that I can experience it, but so that future generations can do so too.” Hence his choice of programme at HKU – “Ecology and Biodiversity is a path that I am taking on my way to becoming a conservational biologist.”

There are a few things he wants to do during his time here. “I really want to explore the ecosystems surrounding the city and the urban interactions with the tropical forest. And to learn about the local species, the local forests and different conservation initiatives on land and in the water,” he says. He is also taken by how richly diverse HKU is with students from other social, cultural and economic backgrounds, and sees this as an opportunity to have his ideals challenged though productive discussions, which he hopes will lead to new perspectives and greater understanding.

After graduation, there may be plans to pursue a Masters degree in Conservation Biology, again a programme he is very passionate about, perhaps in New Zealand. But he is also ready to think beyond just academia. “If I need a break from academia, then that is what I will do. Maybe I’ll find a sheep farm to work at for a year to clear my mind in peaceful solitude. Maybe I’ll have changed my career. Maybe I will have found a partner. I will never really know until the day arrives when I collect my certificate,” he says with a smile, but then adding, “Our lives outside of academics are just as if not more important than what percentage we get on that one test. Life is more than a GPA and time is limited in this life.”

To stay grounded, Eirik has a few hobbies that always remain as constants in his life, wherever he goes. The first is spending time in nature, and the second, weightlifting. “Both are spaces I can reflect and clear my thoughts,” he explains. Other hobbies depend on seizing opportunities that arise. “In Norway I led a few youth projects and went to events about youth democracy. In Germany I did sheep farming, volleyball and trained to be a ‘Peer Mental Supporter’,” he notes. “Here at HKU, I have found a place in the intricate hall culture of my Hall by joining football this term and volleyball the next. I am also planning to lead a few cultural groups exploring different globally relevant topics and hearing different points of view.”

This reiteration of his belief in the importance of global diversity is perhaps not surprising. “I believe that the lessons learnt in multicultural surroundings are key to creating an understanding, inclusive and generally peaceful environment,” he says, adding, “Hong Kong is definitely different from the other countries I have lived in. There are certain value sets, foods, ethics, religions, family dynamics, and many other discoveries I’ve made! I find it intriguing coming from my cultural background, as I find myself criticising and admiring what I have experienced here.”

The climate and the Earth, too, are never far from his thoughts. “A major crisis is unfolding in front of our eyes and very few seem to realise that the world’s biodiversity is wilting away at an aggressive pace,” he says. “This is where I am willing to give my everything in an attempt to stop or even reverse this change bit by bit, wilderness area by wilderness area.” His career choices are all based on this passion. Whilst this is the path he wants to follow, he brings with him certain values. “I want to be dependable and a safe pillar for those around me – This is written on a note on the back of my phone,” he explains. “It’s what I stand for, what I calibrate my moral compass with, and is a reminder of the values that I always try to uphold.”