I am a second-year student who is currently on exchange at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) studying Politics and International Relations. The idea of moving halfway across the world to an unknown area, was definitely daunting at first. However, I am so glad that I stayed confident and decided to go to Hong Kong. This experience has impacted me in a way that I would have never thought. I know a lot of students say it is a “life changing experience” but I really do think there is something about moving so far away, with no one you know, that enriches you in a way no other experiences can. This is why I believe studying abroad is extremely valuable and should be considered by all students! 

The academic side of the exchange was also a reason why I chose this university. HKU has recently been ranked 2nd best in Asia! This is clearly seen through the teaching methods and the resources available. This university has impressed me from the way lectures are taught to the interactions with other students during tutorials. I have found many similarities with both UoN and HKU, such as the format of lectures and the way we have tutorials to discuss ideas from the lecture topics. This was one thing that gave me reassurance when I started my new modules. I found that the transition from the British system to HKU was very similar which made me feel comfortable in speaking up during lectures and asking questions.

The flexibility of choosing modules is also a factor that has made my exchange very enjoyable. I have been able to study courses that interest me outside of my politics degree. For example, I took a class called ‘All you’ve ever wanted to know about humans’ which taught me a basics of human evolution and how we came to be who we are today. There are also a lot of activities that accompany these types of classes. The professors took us to Lamma Island, an island off the coast of Hong Kong Island, to try to understand the process of archaeology and what certain sites would look like around Hong Kong. The majority of my other modules were politics based and these were equally as rewarding. The staff offer consulting hours in their office for every module which has also helped me research topics and provided me with essay feedback to improve my grades. Overall, I have been significantly impressed with HKU’s academics and am excited to apply all that I have learnt to my upcoming modules in my final year at Nottingham.

One big concern that most people have when going on exchange is making new friends and socialising in a completely different culture. I understand that it is a worry for most and therefore I want to address it in this blog to tell you my experience will most likely be very similar to yours, should you choose to do a year abroad. Firstly, everyone that comes on exchange is in the same boat as you, so they are very keen to make friends and are as equally nervous. Most local students are also excited that someone from so far away wants to come to discover their culture. I found that in Hong Kong there was a large Western community due to expats and employment opportunities which has also facilitated the process of making friends. Personally, on the first ‘introduction’ days I had found so many lovely people that had similar interests and similar desires to explore Hong Kong as much as me. If you think about it, the handful of exchange students that choose to go so far away from home would have somewhat similar backgrounds, ideas and characteristics to you which makes it easier to become friends with many of them!

In Hong Kong I have found that the nightlife is similar to that of Europe and the UK, however I would say there is so much more to do that makes it even more enjoyable. I know some students would question whether there are fun activities to do in the evenings and I believe Hong Kong has a lot to offer in terms of social experiences. From boat parties to rooftop bars, there are always a variety of activities that allow you to relax on the weekend. The horse racing on Wednesday is a huge event where many people go for the live music, food, and drink and of course the horse races themselves. I have found that many activities are free of charge to encourage more young people to take part in the cultural side of Hong Kong. Hikes and beaches are very popular too as they are easily accessible and naturally beautiful. Last week a few of us went camping in the famous camping spot in Sai Kung where you can rent tents and pitch up right by the coast! This shows how you can escape the city at any time, to feel like you are in a remote tropical location. Overall, Hong Kong has a lot to offer, and you will most definitely find people that share your interests!

One of the main opportunities that has enriched my exchange in Hong Kong is travelling around Asia. I did not do a gap year in Asia, however doing a year abroad in Hong Kong has allowed me to travel during the holidays to destinations I would have wanted to go to during a gap year! Every reading week or holiday I have travelled to new places such as Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam and Mainland China. I will say however, that if you choose to do this make sure you are organised and prepare for deadlines before you go because it is not best to take your laptop to such places. When you do an exchange in Asia you are already so central to other destinations, making travel cheap and accessible. Travelling has allowed me meet new people and discover parts of the world that I would not have explored had I not done a year abroad.

Thailand:

Philippines

Vietnam

China

Overall, I can say that I have never been bored of Hong Kong and I am tempted to come back to do an internship. I believe that anyone who undergoes an exchange will enjoy it as much as I have and find a great group of friends that you will stay in contact with! The team at UoN will be great help if you have any further questions or queries concerning the exchange opportunities.