Hong Kong: Truly a Mix of East and West Past Review
By Tammy K (Finance and Financial Management Services., Fordham University) for
Syracuse University: Hong Kong - Syracuse University in Hong Kong
I learned a lot about my family's culture and, in turn, a lot about myself. Study abroad also changed my cultural perceptions of the world. Now, I constantly consider the cultural aspects of business whenever I hear about major developments in other parts of the world. Additionally, I have a clearer perspective of the economic and social status of China, which is directly relevant to my aspirations in business. I think study abroad has also changed my career plans. I am willing to consider working for a few years in Hong Kong.
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. |
One of the primary reasons I chose to study with this program was because of the combination of business classes offered that would directly transfer into my major, minor, and concentration. In hindsight, I found that the classes that were specifically geared towards the region (ie. Economic Development of China) were more stimulating and enjoyable. The more general business courses I took, for instance Money and Banking, were definitely more drab, as well as more superficial in subject matter to cater to the non-economics/finance majors also taking the course. I found myself wishing I had waited to take the course back at Fordham, especially since it is reputedly one of the better courses there. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program staff were generally very helpful in resolving any issues/concerns we had. They were also Hong Kong locals, so their knowledge of the area helped us get situated nicely. Students did sometimes have issues with their apartments (general maintenance) that they could not communicate to the apartment staff since everyone there spoke limited English. The program staff in these situations were a bit slow in resolving issues. More than a few times, since I can speak Cantonese, I have had to assist other students after their requests for translation made to the program staff have gone unanswered. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartment's location was convenient for commuting to school, but not to the major entertainment districts. Most of the nightlife we usually frequented was on the other side of the island, requiring multiple transfers on the metro or an toll fare for taxis. Luckily taxis were inexpensive so this was not a huge issue. The neighborhood was quiet and residential and we enjoyed easy access to supermarkets, convenience stores, cell phone shops, and some shopping. There were a few restaurants that were quite good around the apartment as well. Although bedding was provided by the apartment, many students opted to buy their own (many purchased sheets and mattress pads at IKEA). Additionally, only one blanket was provided which was not adequate for the weather when we first arrived in January. Although winters are mild when compared to in NY, most buildings in Hong Kong do not have central heating, and I spent the first night wearing my winter coat to sleep before going out and getting an additional comforter the next day. Cleanliness of the apartments was definitely an issue. Although we had a cleaning service, they never did a good job. The apartment when we first arrived was dirty, especially the kitchen. My roommates and I had to spend an entire day cleaning out the sticky spots and stains in the drawers, cabinets, and fridge before we began to use the kitchen. The apartment staff, cleaning staff included, were generally unhelpful (and did not speak much English). Students also had issues with the laundry service (missing or damaged items); many of the issues were left unresolved. I would suggest using the washer in your apartment for delicate clothes. |
| * Food: |
There was a multitude of great eating options for all budgets. I will say that it was difficult to find good American food for those who are feeling homesick. There are chain restaurants such as Applebees, Pizza Hut, and California Pizza Kitchen; however American food is also overpriced in Hong Kong. It also may be difficult for vegetarians or people with allergies as many restaurants don't have English menus. Some great food around the Hung Hom area (near our apartment): Mammy's pancake, Si Sun Fast Food, MOS Burger, Sweet Basil Thai |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I truly enjoyed the program sponsored field trips to museums, temples, and the beach/fishing village. Each and every program showed a little slice of the Hong Kong lifestyle. There are a lot of cultural attractions that I went to see on my own as well. There are a lot of temples and historic sites in Hong Kong. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Healthcare was easily accessible from the campus health center or various clinics near our apartment. I did not have the need for a clinic visit while I was abroad, but several of my classmates did, and from what I heard, it was relatively inexpensive and quick for an appointment. Doctor's also seemed to give out much more medication as well since the appointment fee included medication. Safety was never a huge issue for us, as Hong Kong is very safe. We did have two incidents of pickpockets however. |
| 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 the school semester I spent around $100-$150 on food and personal expenses each week. My expenses came from an almost equal combination of cooking and eating out, as well as travel expenses and sightseeing. During my internship period, I spent significantly more, around $200+ per week as I worked in a more affluent area and bought lunch at more expensive places. There were also other activities that cost a significant amount more than usual such as nightlife, certain sightseeing activities such as visiting the amusement park, and traveling. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | We weren't given the option of purchasing textbooks on our own, and instead were required to purchase them from the program office. While some of my books were the cheaper international version, I did have to pay full price for some others. Also, we had various issues with the provided laundry service (i.e. lost clothing, damaged/stained clothing, etc), so many of us chose to spend extra and either do it themselves or find an outside laundromat. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Hong Kong has such a unique blend of cultures that I feel that many personalities could fit in. However, I think it's the more energetic and open student who will experience the most. Since it is a metropolitan city, Hong Kong's study abroad participants can get by with going to the same Westernized neighborhoods, and eating the same foods they did back home. It takes effort to seek out the cultural gems and meet locals. The fact that many people speak English provides a great stepping stone into the roots and traditions of Hong Kong. For the student who likes a breadth of experiences, Hong Kong is definitely for you. It has both the city and the mountains and beaches, both the East and the West, and both the glamorous and the mundane. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Intro to Money and Banking |
| Course Department: | FIN 355 |
| Instructor: | Edward Wong |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Dr. Wong was a funny and knowledgeable professor. However, his teaching methods consisted of mainly powerpoint lectures, not the most interesting. As a finance major and economics minor, I found the subject matter to be more superficial than what I would have liked, especially since Fordham's own offering of Money and Banking is reputed to be very challenging and insightful. I would not recommend this class to finance majors, as the topics covered are mirrored in the base level major requirements. However, I think it would be a good course for non-finance business majors. I did enjoy the visit to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
