Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Hong Kong Helped me Recognize the Infinite Opportunities in the World Past Review

By (Accountancy, Villanova University) for

University of Hong Kong / HKU: Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
After this experience I see in myself many ways I could grow and improve. The HKU campus was so international and it was frankly amazing that everybosy spoke at least two fluents perfectly. This program helped me confirm that I want to hold a career that is international mobile and sparked in me an interest in sustainable tourism.

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.

There was a much stronger sense of responsibility at HKU. Namely because all of my classes had a corresponding "tutorial" class which is a discussion class between 8-10 students. The workload was comparable, but I have not taken sociology classes at my home institution so I cannot say infinitively. Teaching methods were very similiar (powerpoint based lessons with the readings expected to be completed prior to class). It is to note that 4 of my 5 professors are American (with extensive international exposure).

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

It was a very simple application process but the weblinks and data seem to be very outdated (in comparison to the rest of the HKU website). The faculty were easily accessible was great at responding to emails but my largest problem was with finding accommodation. Direct enrollment students are not guaranteed housing. After a month of pressing emails, I was offered a place (along with 2 other direct enorllment students) a place in their International Students Hall.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was an extremely safe neighborhood as the school is located in a rich area of Hong Kong. It was a 10-15 minute cab ride to the main streets of nightlife in HK! My building in particular, Patrick Manson, was not aesthetically pleasing, nor were the kitchen facilities sufficient, but it was a great value for the price- $400 for a semester. I bought my own sheets but the student residence office also sold that directly from their office.

* Food:

There is a dining hall (restaurant style) for the 6 dorms in the area, but the quality is not good at all. The only upside is the dirt cheap prices. (A dinner can be less than $5.) A lot of students opt to go to the dining canteen in Queen's Mary Hospital nearby. I personally opted to travel further out to eat and utilized a website called "openrice.com" frequently.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

All medical (basic) consultations/medicine is covered by HKU!

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Immerison
  • Wide spectrum of classes
* What could be improved?
  • Housing
  • Application Process
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? If thinking about going to study abroad, direct enrollment is the way to go to capture a total immersion with the local community. I enjoyed the most being one of the few international students in every one of my classes, and meeting local students in an intellectual setting. Hong Kong is the best way to experience Asia for the first time (I jokingly always say it's the least exotic Asian country). If you're looking to learn, push your limits, and enjoy a full experience, this is the program for you!