A culturally immersive experience March 13, 2026

By sd120 (University of Hong Kong) - abroad from 08/31/2025 to 12/22/2025 with

University of Hong Kong / HKU: Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I feel that my experience abroad forced me out of my comfort zone and gave me more independence and life experience. Suddenly being immersed in a totally different academic environment from my small, liberal arts school was challenging, but gave me perspective on what it's like being a student elsewhere. The opportunity to live with a local roommate also connected me with the local culture and was one of the most valuable parts of my experience.

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.	HKU has a rigorous academic program that made me feel challenged. There are also a large variety of courses available, and I felt satisfied with the courses I was able to take. I felt it was a bit difficult to connect with other students in classes as many profs did not facilitate conversation with peers, which as an exchange student felt a bit isolating.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	The residential halls at HKU have a very unique culture that I am grateful to have gotten to experience! I had a slight housing scare in the beginning of the program, as I was notified in August that I had been waitlisted for housing (the same month I was to arrive in Hong Kong). I know many people who were not able to get off the waitlist, so alternative housing is definitely something to consider when applying to this program.
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes I appreciated the freedom that came with being an exchange student at HKU, as I got to experience what it was like being a college student in a different country & environment without being restricted by a program.

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?	~$75

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university?	Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students International Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students International Students
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?	cultural immersion independence freedom
* What could be improved?	housing connecting with other students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Housing is not guaranteed, so it is important to have back-up options if the dorms are not available.

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 Blazer Craving 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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	CHIN9511
Course Department:	School of Chinese
Instructor:	Dr. W.K. Lee
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	I would highly recommend this introductory Cantonese course to other exchange students. As someone who started with zero knowledge in Cantonese, this course gave me the background and confidence to start using Cantonese in my daily life while in Hong Kong. Dr. Lee is also an engaging prof. who is passionate about the subject he teaches. I had a great experience in this class, and it also connected me with other exchange/international students that I wouldn't have met otherwise!
Credit Transfer Issues: