Rachel Bullen

University of South Australia, Australia
Exchange to Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong

When I started studying at the University of South Australia in 2005, I knew that I wanted to go on an international exchange. It was not until I heard about the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Scholarship Programme that I even considered Hong Kong. I could not have imagined a more exciting, dynamic and eclectic city to live in. Hong Kong is the essence of East meets West, and I loved every minute of my time there.

My journey began in August 2006, and it was the start of a grand and unforgettable adventure. I was one of over 100 international students studying at Hong Kong Baptist University. I lived on the eleventh floor in one of two 20-storey student resident halls in the leafy area of Kowloon Tong. I was lucky enough to share a room with a translation student originally from Beijing, Ellen, from whom I learned a lot. Friendships between the international students were made easily, each of us being in the same position of being away from our homelands, friends and family, so it wasn’t long before strong and binding friendships were formed, some of which will last a lifetime.

Student life at Hong Kong Baptist University was challenging but very rewarding. Classes were taught in a manner that had elements of both the Chinese and Western methods. I had the opportunity to learn a lot about Hong Kong culture through working closely with local students, and sharing lunches of dumplings with local and international students at nearby restaurants or the very impressive canteen during breaks.

The weekends were full of exploration of Hong Kong, and the surrounding New Territories. Never would I have imagined Hong Kong to be such a versatile and dynamic city. With its bustling streets and thriving street markets, lush forests and hiking trails to hidden beaches, Hong Kong seemed to have no limits to its treasures.

My time in Hong Kong allowed for a bit of travel on the weekends which meant I was lucky enough to see Beijing at an exciting time leading up to the Olympics, visit China’s most picturesque province of Guilin and travel down the Lijiang River to Yangshuo. I arrived in the Philippines on the day of the worst typhoon in 12 years, and got to dive in some of Thailand’s most beautiful waters. Hong Kong itself satisfied every aspect of my sense of adventure and travel – from shopping to camping, bike riding through fishing villages and eating some of the freshest seafood I’ve ever had.

Time flew, and five months felt like no more than a brief visit. Yet in that time, I managed to have a lifetime worth of experiences, and share some incredible moments with some of the most special people I have ever met. My time in Hong Kong was absolutely invaluable and I will always remember it as one of the highlights of my life so far.

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