Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Very little biochemistry learning, very much Hong Kong culture learning. Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/14/2019 to 05/24/2019 with

University of Hong Kong / HKU: Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I failed one class, but it was a great time off from being at Wellesley. I realized failing classes aren't so bad. And taking time off is very healthy. Being with family for so long made me much closer to them. I loved my time outside of school there. Earning credits was just a bonus.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It's so bad compared to Wellesley. I don't feel helped. Some professors were good, others not so much. It was like taking 2 self study courses. The learning style of Hong Kong is memory based, which I've always disliked. It's learning for the sake of getting a degree.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Old building. Looks haunted. Had to room with two other people, one of whom threw my stuff onto the floor and used my table as a trash holder because they thought I wasn't going to move in even though my luggage was there. Had to move out and live with family.

* Food:

Ate at restaurants & with family members. Dining hall food wasn't bad though.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Being a hongkonger helps. I love the city.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't see the doctor through the school, so I have no comment on that.

* Safety:

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)

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

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* 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?
  • Being with family
  • Having much more free time
  • Eating good food
* What could be improved?
  • Make sure to take easy courses
  • The STEM courses here are memory based. It's very unnecessarily hard work.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't take STEM courses for your major outside of Wellesley. Register for housing at HKU as soon as you can. HKU students are quite shy about speaking English, so you have to be more extroverted or know Cantonese if you want to make local friends :)