TAM Lin Yi

City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Exchange to Murdoch University, Australia

“Energetic” and “harmonious” were the first words that came to mind when I was asked to write about my experiences in Australia. Australia is definitely a wonderful place in which to study and live. When I was there, I enjoyed a life that I had never experienced before in Hong Kong. I am truly thankful for the generosity of the Cheung Kong Group in launching the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Scholarship, which gave me the wonderful opportunity to study at Murdoch University, Perth. This exchange has further enriched my knowledge of policy studies and administration while enhancing my cultural awareness.

I remember the first day I arrived in Perth, I was pleasantly surprised by the environment because the air was especially fresh and many plants were growing along the road. I was surprised by the clear night sky filled with bright stars (something you almost never see in Hong Kong). Even now I can remember how it looked. I was also surprised by how multicultural the students were when I participated in the orientation program organized by the university. The students came from all over the world – America, United Kingdom, Germany, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Bangladesh, just to name a few! Even the student helpers were from different countries. The university was a great place for me to understand different cultures through intercultural communication. I believe learning about another culture is not easy unless you observe and directly communicate with people from different countries. You will probably find that the process of learning is endless because there is an unlimited amount of knowledge out there. But once you pursue it, you’ll get to enrich yourself by sharing experiences and knowledge with others. It’s true that I learned a lot in this process. This exchange study has widened my horizons and my life is now different because of it.

To be honest, studying policy in Australia was a great challenge, but it was a fruitful experience in terms of learning how to be independent. To acquire a deep understanding of different Australian policies is not easy. You need to know the historical background and context of international relationships between Australia and other countries in order to develop a critical analysis of particular issues or policies. The students at the university were well-prepared for class and ready to give their opinions in tutorials. Luckily, the student facilities and student services on campus significantly helped my studies. The library resources gave me inspiration in writing my essays, while encouragement from friends and helpful teachers, together with prayers and blessings from my brothers and sisters at Joy City Church, gave me the strength to face my challenges. I really enjoyed my time with them.

The greetings people gave me when I went shopping made me feel welcomed, as if I was part of a large family. Having cashiers say “Hello,” “Hi,” “How are you today?” and “Have a nice day” is a common Australian practice. They treated me like a friend rather than a foreigner. In Hong Kong, I rarely find shopkeepers who treat their customers like this and I believe it’s something we should all learn from the Australians.

Travelling to other places in Western Australia had also given me a unique view on life. I was amazed by the beautiful scenery created by Mother Nature – the different sizes and structures of the special landscape in the Pinnacles, the spectacular red rock gorges, the rugged coastal cliffs in Kalbarri National Park, the dolphins in Monkey Mia, the breathtaking views of Shark Bay, the beautiful Shell Beach, the A-Class Reserve on Rottnest Inland….. The list goes on. I also got the chance to do things I had never tried before: feeding the lovely reptiles and other animals in different wildlife parks, trying Aboriginal food, sand-boarding down the sand dunes, and trying my hand at abseiling in Z-Bend George. The wide range of activities that Aussies enjoy made me realize how energetic the country is!

My exchange life had been unbelievably fruitful because it gave me a chance to improve my language proficiency and learn the customs, culture and habits of different groups of people. It also allowed me to enhance my critical thinking, enrich my knowledge and become an independent learner. Indeed, when you live in another country, you realize that there are many things available out there that you may not be able to do or have the opportunity to learn back in Hong Kong. When you play the role of a student as opposed to a traveller, you find yourself becoming more proactive as a learner in your willingness to know more about a country.

The Endeavour Australian Cheung Kong Scholarship makes all these things possible. My exchange life in Australia has surely been one of the most momentous building blocks of my life journey so far, and it will definitely contribute to my success in the future.

© Copyright 2018 CK Group. All rights reserved.