Incredible once in a lifetime experience!! Past Review
By A student (Chemistry, Public Health, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/02/2018 to 05/14/2018 with
Chinese University of Hong Kong: Hong Kong - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My (Cantonese) language skills improved immensely while I was abroad, which was one of my primary goals before going. I additionally learned to keep an open mind and to not be afraid to put myself out there to try new experiences-- you'll never know who you'll meet and what you'll discover!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
CUHK has a large variety of classes to choose from, and the advisors are fairly efficient/helpful in helping you fit as many classes as you can (given the 400-500+ students they need to all help at once). The professors I had are quite supportive and knowledged on their subjects! However, as a Chemistry major, I do wish there was more academic support targeted for international students as I quickly found out there were little to none international students in my department. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They did a good job providing support and prompt responses as well as organizing activities throughout the semester. However, I do wish there were more social activities that provided me more opportunities to meet other students at the beginning of the semester. But on site support from the particular college you live in/belong to is wonderful! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in CW Chu college and absolutely loved living here! The location is bit out of the way relative to the rest of the colleges on campus, but the amenities were great and the community there is very welcoming and international-friendly. Staff were extremely nice and helpful too! However, because the college is small, it is harder to get involved with extracurriculars as there are not that many (especially entering in Spring semester), as many extracurriculars here are structured around one's individual college. |
| * Food: |
Food was good! Many canteens all over, prices are very cheap (about $3-$5 USD per meal depending) and lots of options. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I integrated very well with the local culture! I am Chinese American with elementary level Cantonese speaking ability, and found many opportunities to interact with locals and practice/improve my language ability (but many also know English!) while still learning more about HK's unique blend of Eastern-Western culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Never felt unsafe at all! I liked that the school was in the New Territories, which gave me a different perspective than the main city part of HK. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Had an amazing time at CUHK-- I made so many new friends (both local and international) and it was an opportunity to start fresh and integrate with the culture. As a Chinese American with a Cantonese background, this was the perfect location for me to get in touch with my roots and learn more about my identity! |
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) |
Food is affordable on campus, I made to budget my expenses so that didn't go out too often. HK is an ideal location for traveling since it is close to many countries (so cheaper flights!) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat on campus during the week, have a good going out/traveling/staying on campus budget! |
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 |
Optional component, which I decided to take up-- I took classes in both Mandarin and Cantonese. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | N/A |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Not a required component, but many exchange students will take Chinese classes. It is as much effort as you want to put into it-- the more effort the better! Take the opportunity to speak to locals to practice in Cantonese and go around the city practicing the language as well (try going to a 茶餐廳)! |
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?
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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? | Know that it might take some time to adjust and that is ok! Ask others around for tips (especially local students) as they will provide the most help :) Student in Hong Kong are very intense about their studies! I was surprised by the intense work/study culture. |
