This past winter semester, I attended the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). CUHK offers a unique college system where the university is split up into nine colleges such as Chung Chi, New Asia, Shaw, and Morningside. Each of the colleges has their own communities, with a designated hostel, gym, dining hall, and more. I was assigned to Shaw College!
I loved the student spirit at CUHK. I immediately felt a sense of community, and the student association regularly organized fun activities for us to participate in where I could get to know other students. I knew I was able to go to them if I ever had any questions or concerns. Additionally, the Office of Academic Links and the International Student Association had events planned for us throughout the semester such as hiking, ceramic-painting, and cooking classes!
There is a good reason why Hong Kong is known worldwide for its amazing food scene. You can find fresh and quality food almost anywhere at an affordable price, from street food stalls to high-end restaurants. Whether you are craving local Cantonese cuisine or any other cuisine from around the world, you will find it! I enjoyed eating cha chaan teng food, cheung fun, and Hong Kong style milk tea while I was there. I was also fortunate enough to have access to many canteens, a supermarket, and convenience stores on campus if I needed a quick bite to eat.
As CUHK resides on a mountain, the university operated on a shuttle bus system that conveniently transported me from class, residence, the library, and other facilities. There was also an MTR station connected to CUHK that allowed me to easily get to any area of Hong Kong. The MTR is accessible, clean, and efficient, and most lines have trained every two minutes. I was grateful to be placed in CUHK because it not only allowed me to explore the city but also other areas I would not have been introduced to, such as nature trails or monasteries. Hong Kong truly is a rich and diverse city with so much to explore!
One of the best things about my exchange was the opportunity to travel. It was easy to fly to other countries in Asia, and I am so grateful to have been able to travel to so many places. Some of my favourites were Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea! Overall, going on exchange has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life — I would encourage everyone to consider doing it if they can. I have been able to grow in so many ways, and I would not change the memories I made there for the world. I was able to immerse myself in a new culture and environment, meet people from all backgrounds, and push myself in ways I never would have been able to before. I will always cherish my time in Hong Kong, and I hope to visit again in the future!"
