Go for the people and the party, not the academics Past Review
By nari.savanorkejoyce (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/15/2014 to 05/31/2014 with
University of Hong Kong / HKU: Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My study abroad was about self-discovery and cultural exposure. Though I was very disappointed by the academics at HKU, I knew going in that it would be very different from my liberal arts education. At a certain point, I decided that academics would not be the focus of my study abroad and instead concentrated on meeting people from a variety of different cultures. Hong Kong is THE place to do this - this vibrant city attracts people from across the globe and you can learn so much about the world, not just about Hong Kong.
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes too large, professors care more about research than teaching HKU made me appreciate Wellesley College academics |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
HKU seems to be divided into three groups: international/expat students, Hong Kongers, and students from Mainland China. While I loved the international student community, I wish it had been easier to get to know local students. It's hard to cross the barrier between these three groups. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
HKU Health Clinic is excellent. |
| * Safety: |
Hong Kong is arguable one of the safest cities in the world and has an extremely attentive police force. I never felt unsafe at any time of day and in any area. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
|
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) |
|
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Wellesley students who had attended HKU before prepared me really well for this program. I would say that a semester in HK was more expensive than I thought it would be. Some things, like food, are cheaper than in America. But everything else is about the same or more. |
