Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Difficult Journey Past Review

By (International Business., Trinity University) - abroad from 05/27/2014 to 07/10/2014 with

Study Abroad Programs in Hong Kong

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
A greater appreciation for what I have at home, and the people in my life.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Would try to interact with local students, but they wanted no parts of us. Would literally sit in the classroom and be completely ignored. Same with outside campus, once people realize you're foreign you are treated with close to disdain. Central and Lan Tau Island were slightly better. During my entire stay only 1 student actually talked to us.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Don't get sick. The school does not have a on campus clinic, nor do they direct you to a preferred outside clinic, so you're on your own. New territories is also known for their poor health care, so I just willed myself to not get sick.

* Safety:

Never travel alone, especially as a girl. Was approached multiple times by strange men. In Central, there is a group of men who wait outside and harass women outside of the train station. Also, fire alarm went off at the school, but no emergency procedures were ever given to us, so we couldn't find the fire escape. We were on the sixth floor.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Research food costs before-hand

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Lan Tau Island
  • Central
* What could be improved?
  • International Student Office
  • Willingness of Professors to have International Students
  • Service Learning Program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? China is changing, and this program is not the same as it was a year ago.

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 Linguist
You 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!