Hong Kong: Plethora of Opportunities Past Review
By Peter Y (Biopsychology, Tufts University) for
Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Hong Kong
Studying in Hong Kong was definitely once in a lifetime experience. Yes, you can instantly spot differences between Hong Kong and where you are from, but will soon realize that the different methods and traditions work just as well. If you want to be immersed in the culture, you have to actively seek out opportunities. It's very likely that you will see yourself socializing with the people from your original school more, due to the fact that you have a common background and a common language with those people. However, many of the local students that I met there, once they realize you are an international student, are eager to show you around Hong Kong!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learn more in classes taken at Tufts. The registration process and some grading methods are different, but I would definitely advise sitting in extra classes in the first week of school to select what suits you best. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our program coordinator prepared us very well, to the point where we have time to explore the country before school starts, while other international students are scrambling to figure out which forms to fill out and where to get them. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in Lee Hysan Hall. The dorm life is very interesting. There is definitely more hall spirit in the Hong Kong University dorms than any other dorms that I can imagine. The rooms were relatively small, but we were warned ahead of time. The floor mates were very welcoming. |
| * Food: |
The food is pretty cheap in Hong Kong. I enjoyed the street food as well as the restaurants that I went to. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Our program organized amazing, week-long trips to Shanghai and Beijing! If you choose to, which many people do, there are many nearby countries that you can visit. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Learn to bargain! |
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?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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