Melissa Sconyers
After spending a semester in Paris to study international marketing, Melissa lived in Beijing for over a year while studying Chinese. Achieving a native speaker level of fluency after only two months, Melissa went on to co-author a revolutionary system for learning Chinese via flashcards. Published in October 2007, the flashcards are now being sold in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Australia, and the United States. During her time in China, Melissa worked as a consultant to the Chinese government office which handles the official website for Beijing, helping them prepare for the 2008 Olympics. She also worked a photojournalist for the highly regarded expatriate magazine “The Beijinger.” In the past, Melissa Sconyers has lived in Los Angeles, Austin, Las Vegas, New York, Paris, Beijing, San Francisco, and is now in the process of moving to Hong Kong.
Hometown: I'm a woman of the world
School: University of Texas at Austin
Abroad Program: IES
Where I've Lived Abroad: Beijing, China - Chengde, China - Paris, France - Austin, Texas, United States - Manhattan, New York, United States - San Francisco, California, United States - Hong Kong, China - Las Vegas, United States
Honkers
All Aboard, Abroad
9 Nov 2009
I flew to Beijing to visit John over the long weekend for National Day. He met me at the airport, ... read more
> View All PostsStories
China
Top 5: Tips For Vegetarians In China
You’re out for a fancy dinner with a group of Chinese friends. On the table in front of you is a Lazy Susan and it spins to reveal tonight ... read more
17 Dec 2009
Insider Tips
China
Taking the Airport Express in Hong Kong
The Airport Express is the most efficient way to get to and from the airport in Hong Kong. But to buy tickets, you can't use credit cards or small ... read more
07 Dec 2009
China
Have the taxi call your destination
Though there are technically more people in China who speak English as a second language than there are native English speakers around the world combined, you can't count on ... read more
07 Dec 2009
China
Give your address in reverse
In Hong Kong, you can generally count on the taxi drivers to speak enough English to communicate with you. If they don't, they'll use their cell phone to ... read more
07 Dec 2009
China
Memorize your passport number
After having to go through customs immigrations in enough countries, you pretty quickly understand why Paul Theroux once said, "Travel is only glamorous in retrospect." There are a lot of ... read more
07 Dec 2009
China
You don't need to tip taxis
The overall rule of thumb in China is "just don't tip." Taxis in Mainland China will always give you exact change, but its more Westernized counterpart, Hong Kong, will ... read more
07 Dec 2009
China
See the Light Show in Hong Kong
The Light Show, which happens on both sides of Victoria Harbor every evening at 8 pm sharp, is a must-see when touring Hong Kong. Most people go to the boardwalk ... read more
07 Dec 2009
China
Never take "black cabs"
In many underdeveloped regions and cities, you're going to be greeted at the bus stop, train station, or airpor by a fleet of illegitimate cars or cars pretending to ... read more
05 Mar 2010
China
Rigged meters
If you happen to find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being in a "legitimate" cab with a rigged meter, do yourself a favor, and get them to stop as ... read more
05 Mar 2010
China
Scraps of paper
I find it very useful to carry around scraps of paper (usually a stack of Post-it Notes or a tiny Moleskine with tear-out pages) and a pen. These tools come ... read more
05 Mar 2010
China
Always bargin
Everything in life is negotiable. Well, maybe not everything, but almost everything: food, transportation, accommodations, and souvenirs. I started this habit during my life in China, but when I found ... read more
