Hectic Hong Kong Past Review
By A student (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 01/27/2016 to 05/28/2016 with
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology: Hong Kong - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I've definitely learned about the different political scenes internationally as well as the different perspectives people have globally.
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. |
The classes were very informative but the grading was very hard due to the very high curves for the finance classes. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Great events organized at the beginning of the semester, but there was no communication after the semester started. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dorms were nice but I found the housing policies really strict (no guests after 10pm). |
| * Food: |
The campus canteen food gets really old after a while. Not many healthy options either. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Really unique and interesting culture in Hong Kong and HKUST is so close to Sai Kung, so there's a lot of chances to interact with the locals. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I suffered continuous allergies and cough the entire semester. I saw the health clinic, but found the treatments were very ineffective. |
| * Safety: |
Very safe |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Hong Kong was a truly unique experience, you get a little bit of everything- the crazy city life, the rustic charm of the small villages and the tranquility of scenic landscapes and beaches. The people that I've met on exchange were also some of the most awesome and interesting people I've known. |
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) |
With just food, then it's pretty easy, however when you include the transportation costs (occasional taxis from Central), expenses add up quick. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try not to go out so often a week, and try to take the metro back when you can. Definitely pregame with friends for cheaper drinks and only splurge once a while at a bar. |
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?
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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? | I wish I knew how rigorous this program was going to be. It would've been nice to be prepared ahead of time. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
