Thrills, Shocks, and More Thrills Past Review
By HQWat (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 08/26/2013 to 12/09/2013 with
Chinese University of Hong Kong: Hong Kong - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I have no idea how I can put this in one box like this. I grew from immense and frequent reflection, and learned how much I love my friends and other people. This was the most worthwhile thing I have ever done.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Different from Western educational standards. Harder for economics, business, sciences; taught/tested differently for humanities. |
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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? |
Can't complain too much; it's basically free, and the rooms are VERY spacious by Hong Kong standards. Nice kitchen, too. However, students rather often steal even your labeled food from the fridge. Kids stay up at crazy hours. You might get 2 or 3 roommates, and sleeping standards/etiquette are nonexistent among the locals, so set boundaries early. |
| * Food: |
On-campus food is mediocre at best. Off-campus, you have to trek it sometimes, but it is worth it to venture out and try the fantastic local and international cuisine. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt fully integrated as a local "expat," and the international crowd in Hong Kong (which is more focused on HK Island) is full of some of the most welcoming folks imaginable. Foreigners can never really be well-integrated into the local culture, it's a sad fact of life. Locals even actively avoided sitting next to me or other non-Asian students on the university buses until they got used to our presence. They were never directly disrespectful, though, and were eager to share their culture with me. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Very different, but VERY efficient and quick. |
| * Safety: |
You will never, ever have to fear for your safety here. Not even as a female walking alone on an unlit street in the slummy areas of town. |
| 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) |
HK is much cheaper than Europe, Australia, or the US. Housing is basically free, so that loosens up the budget. If you eat just on campus, and cook at least 1 meal for yourself each day, you're looking at $75-$100 US weekly, and that includes money for going out. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $85 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | GET THE STUDENT OCTOPUS. It will allow you to travel and see much more within HK. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? |
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 had known how great all of the people were. What a crowd, really! I wish I had gone out for food more often - it was so scrumptious. I wish I had researched more of Hong Kong before going, because it just never ceased to provide new wonders and gorgeous views.. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
