Fruitful and Satisfying Experience in Hong Kong Past Review
By Lisa A (Business Administration & Asian Language and Studies, University of the Pacific) - abroad from 09/10/2012 to 01/05/2013 with
Chinese University of Hong Kong: Hong Kong - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My main motivation to study abroad in Hong Kong was to experience the lifestyle here. There might be a chance for me to return to Hong Kong after I become settled in my career so I wanted to get a feel of Hong Kong. I'm glad I came because now I know that Hong Kong is probably a place where I want to start/continue my career in. I also think it is worthwhile because I met numerous new friends that I know I will keep in contact with.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was able to meet many local and exchange students from all over the world. The local students took me to places to experience the Hong Kong lifestyle. I learned a lot about Hong Kong and its culture through the students I interacted with. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had allergic reactions to the surround trees, pollen, and dust. I went to the school's clinic, but because the school is huge, it did take a while to arrive after taking the bus and by walking. The doctor, however, did not provide much help since I already had my medicine from back home. I was hoping he could give me some better medicine and give me some advice for avoiding these allergies, but there was none. Also, unlike in the States, they do not provide students with a whole bottle of medication, but only nine pills at a time, telling me to come back once I have consumed all of them. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | During finals week, roughly $130 HKD. But if I eat out and treat my cousin, around $350 HKD |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try not to spend too much on buying things because there's always the problem of having the luggage going over the weight limit. Usually, students who want to travel a bit before returning home finds out that towards the end of the semester, they are low on money because they kept spending it without thinking about the amount of money that they would need in order to travel. Budget wisely! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
I took Mandarin classes and can personally speak Cantonese so I was able to frequently use the language with the local students. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I speak Cantonese since little with my family, so I consider myself fluent in Cantonese, and studied Mandarin for three years |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Interact with the local students frequently and speak their language whenever possible. It's alright to make mistakes because they will understand that you are a foreign student. They will help correct your mistakes. Don't be afraid to speak the language because it won't help you improve. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew or had an idea of exactly how cold/hot and humid it is here. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
