Jocelyn PRITCHARD

Deakin University, Australia
Exchange to the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

I was lucky enough to study at the University of Hong Kong in the January semester 2011. There are literally no words that can adequately describe my experience there, and in Asia as a whole. I was fortunate to travel with my boyfriend as we are undertaking the same course. We left as a couple and came home as a part of an enormous international group. The university has a well-established international program and as a result we were amongst the 300 other exchange students and thousands more local students from day one. By living in one of the campus residences we were able to mix with both local and international students, which lead to some amazing and lasting relationships.

Studying in the Law Faculty at HKU was very different from my home university in some ways, and very similar in others. For starters, getting used to walking up and down, rather than across is something you have to get accustomed to very quickly in Hong Kong! The Law Faculty is based out of a 15-floor building with multiple basement floors as well. The structure of the classes was much the same as Australia, but we were surprised with the informality.

Life in Hong Kong passes at a pace that can’t possibly be compared to anywhere in Australia. Coming from a small country town where nothing is open past 5pm, it was a strange and wonderful new world. You can be walking through an intersection at 11pm on a Tuesday night, surrounded by hundreds of people out shopping or on their way home from work.

Needless to say, there are so many opportunities within Hong Kong, including the New Territories and the outlaying islands. You will never have a dull moment! As we were fortunate enough to have a three-day timetable, we travelled both alone and with other exchange students throughout Hong Kong, and many places in Asia. Although we missed some classes because of this, lecturers were very accommodating and happy to help in any way they could.

I would highly recommend Hong Kong to any student considering an exchange, not only is the cost of living essentially nothing, but the University accommodation is virtually free and right in the middle of the city. The opportunities to travel throughout Asia are endless. In the 7 months we were away we made it to Macau, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Singapore. I was fortunate enough to have the generous contribution of the Cheung Kong Group as well as a HECS-OS loan to help fund my trip.

Hong Kong is a wonderful choice for studying abroad, there are very low living costs, the opportunities for low cost travel are endless and the University is highly prestigious. This provided for the most amazing 7 months of my life, filled with memories I’ll treasure and friendships I’ll maintain for the rest of my life.

© Copyright 2018 CK Group. All rights reserved.