Totally Worth It! I'm So Glad I Went! Past Review
By Vanessa L. (University of Washington) - abroad from 03/07/2016 to 05/27/2016 with
The Intern Group: Hong Kong Internship Placement Program
Definitely worthwhile. I learned what it was like to live and work abroad. Working abroad is definitely a different experience from studying abroad, the way you live and your responsibilities are different and I would say working abroad is a more accurate representation of what it would be like to actually move to a different country. I learned a lot about myself through this experience and grew personally and professionally. I gained lasting friendships and relationships. I gained experience and connections for my career with my internship company and co-workers. I learned that every experience is what you make it. There were some program participants that I met who were not as happy about their experience as I was, but it was because they kept comparing Hong Kong to their home and expectations, and instead of taking advantage of this opportunity they saw it as something else to put on their resume. Have expectations when you come, but don't let your expectations ruin your experience just because the reality is not what you exactly imagined. Don't focus on how Hong Kong is different from your home, enjoy Hong Kong for what it is. Give your all at your internship, even though you aren't getting paid, because your employees notice and can tell right away if you are someone they can count on or not. If you are they will include you more and give you more real work to do, if you're not then you will be treated like a typical intern who only helps with minor things. If you do well you might even get an offer to come back, I know a handful of people from the program who got offers to come back before they left, myself included ;). So make the most of your experience, do your best, and stay positive.
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. |
I loved my internship! I asked to be paired with a company that did marketing and fashion and that is exactly what I got. My co-workers treated me like another employee rather than an intern and included me in everything and even gave me my own projects to manage. I learned so much from just working there day to day and experiencing what it was like to work in fashion marketing. But it wasn't just from being able to be super hands on with everything, it was also from sitting in on meetings and observing and listening to how things work within the company. It was a great experience for building up my experience in fashion marketing, but also for building connections in Hong Kong as I got close and built lasting relationships with most of my co-workers. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everything was organized very well, I felt very informed even before my arrival. Intern Group Hong Kong sends you all the information you need before you arrive so as long as you take the time to read through everything you're set. Be mindful they aren't going to do everything for you, they just prepare you with all the information so you know how to get all the things you need done on your own (this is the time to test your independence!). With that said I had no problem getting myself settled in and finding my workplace and getting to work. The only thing you might not know too much about is what you are actually doing at your internship, but that is for you to find out either on your first day of work or through your own contact with your company when Intern Group Hong Kong connects you through email introduction. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Honestly I wasn't expecting much for housing knowing Hong Kong, but I was actually pleasantly surprised. My apartment was clean and looked fairly new, in that the outside building looked old, but inside the apartment itself was remodeled quite well. My room was TINY, but that is to be expected in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is known for small living space because there's too many people and not enough land and is one of the most expensive places to live, so given all that I had no complaints about my place. You make do with you get and as long as my place was clean and fairly decent (which is what it was) I was good. Just be prepared for a small room, smaller than you think, Intern Group warns you before you come so take that seriously. |
| * Food: |
Food was good and you can pretty much find any type of food you want or can think of in Hong Kong. Go out and try local Hong Kong food if you haven't before! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Since I speak Cantonese it was easier for me to integrate myself, but regardless I think its just a matter of putting yourself out there and making an effort to meet people and immerse yourself in Hong Kong. I met some local Hong Kong friends while I was there and also grew close with my co-workers and they would invite me out to things and bring me around and so through them I felt like I really experienced what it was like to live like a local. Just got to get yourself out there! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no health issues while in Hong Kong, but they do provide health insurance for you and if you do need to see a doctor I heard its pretty accessible. |
| * Safety: |
Hong Kong is a pretty safe place, minus a couple areas where you should be aware. But in all in all I never felt unsafe while in Hong Kong, and was fine walking/going home alone late at night. Just normal safety precautions be aware of your surroundings and your belongings. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Yes definitely! I learned so much, made lasting relationships, and experienced what it was like to work and live in Hong Kong. I gained so much experience from my internship and made lasting connections with them as well. |
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) |
Hong Kong is a pretty expensive place to live. You can spend a good amount of money on food alone, not including personal expenses like shopping, going out, or activities/travel within Hong Kong. Most of my weekly expenses went to food and daily transportation. Although if you're smart and mindful you can live on a budget, there's also a lot of cheap food to be found in Hong Kong. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | USD$200-$300 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Find cheap places to eat, look for free things to do in Hong Kong (like sightseeing, exploring an area, or hiking). Find out where the locals go, for food, shopping, bars/nightlife, those places usually have the best deals. |
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 |
They offer optional Chinese language classes for you to take while you're in Hong Kong. You have to pay for the classes as its set up with a separate organization, but its there if you would like it. I didn't take them because I already speak Chinese, but just from living in Hong Kong for 3 months and speaking Chinese daily my Chinese improved so much. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | Spoke Cantonese at home, took 3 years of Mandarin at my university |
| 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? | Living in a country that speaks the language you are learning is the best way to pick up the language quickly and improve immensely. Take advantage of the opportunity and don't be afraid to practice speaking with co-workers, local people, when you go out to restaurants, anywhere. The more you practice speaking with local speakers the better you'll get. |
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? | Nothing. |
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.' |
