CHAI Yi, Natasha

The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Exchange to The University of Queensland, Australia

Thanks to this exchange, I got the opportunity to know more about Australia and its culture when I studied at The University of Queensland – a well- established university in Brisbane.

When I first arrived, I immediately felt that Brisbane was just so different from Hong Kong. People walk at a more leisurely pace and are always smiling at each other. That taught me a very important thing – Hong Kong people should learn how to enjoy more of life.

People in Hong Kong always want to complete what they do in the shortest time possible. Yes, that is what makes Hong Kong an energetic and dynamic city and that is why Hong Kong is so famous all over the world. But sometimes I find living in Hong Kong quite stressful as people are always working and competing but they seldom stop to take a look at the beautiful city in which they live.

Australians are so different in this aspect. When I travelled around Australia, I found that Australians were very good at enjoying life. Drinking and chatting with friends, enjoying a cup of coffee in the afternoon, watching the sunset in front of the Sydney Opera House. Just by looking at them, I have learnt how to stay happy.

Australians know how to “work hard, play hard” and this helps them to strike a good balance and stay mentally healthy. We all should learn from people in Australia – carpe diem! I have learnt to love the things around me, take a break when I need one, then throw myself wholeheartedly into what I do when I do it.

Australian students are very independent and so eager to learn. They grasp every chance to ask questions in the lectures. I believe that this is why they have a very good understanding of the subjects they learn. Studying at the University of Queensland has broadened my horizons and changed my mindset. I am now open to different teaching and learning methods. Working with local students has also made me more creative and innovative. The experience of studying in Australia has probably helped to improve my future academic performance.

Here, I want to thank Cheung Kong for supporting so many Asian and Australian students and thus allowing them to have such a great once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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