Navigating the Rewards and Challenges of Studying Abroad January 22, 2025
By A student (Political Science and Music, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/02/2024 to 11/29/2024 with
University of Hong Kong / HKU: Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Most of the courses are very helpful and close connected to real life. I have learned a lot. I have also made a lot of friends outside of class. I learned to be independent and build a new lifestyle in a foreign country. It is very worthwhile to do this study abroad.
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. |
The university is an academically rigorous school. The courses are very challenging and have interesting content. I have learned a lot from the courses I've taken. However, there is a lack of grading transparency, such as grades are often not posted. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I got a single room in the newest dorm at HKU. Although it is a little far (about a 40-minute MTR ride), I enjoyed the community and appreciate the affordable living conditions on Hong Kong Island. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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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
I enjoyed my time abroad. I made many good friends and enjoyed the culture a lot. I also had time to explore Hong Kong, mainland China, and Southeast Asia. |
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? | 900 HKD |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook for yourself sometimes because Hong Kong food can get very expansive. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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 |
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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?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | -Lack of grading transparency -Food can sometimes be very expansive |
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.' |
