XIONG Yun

Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Exchange to University of New South Wales, Australia

Firstly, I would like to thank the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards and the Australian Government. It is my great honour to be given this chance to share some of my exchange experience.

Unbelievably, it has already been three months since I arrived in Sydney, and sadly, all the latest emails from the university are reminding me that my study in Australia is coming to an end. It feels like it was just last week when I was exhausted from filling out the thousands of forms for visa application and suspension of studies, as well as feeling frustrated about finding accommodation on campus. To be honest, I wondered whether all my efforts were worthwhile. I felt a little nervous because I had just finished my exams and did not have time to prepare for a new semester in an entirely different country.

All my questions and concerns were answered when I arrived in Sydney on a sunny Friday morning. With the help of the friendly student volunteers and staff from the university, I had no difficulty settling down. The natural environment here fascinated me. There are so many lawns everywhere, on which people can chat, read or even just take a nap. I could hardly imagine this happening in Hong Kong because there are always signs that says, “keep off the grass” everywhere. People also seem to be rushing to places and have no time to enjoy the scenery around them. Living just 20 minutes walk away from Coogee Beach, I can jog along the beach in the morning but still make it back in time for lectures. Even my mother is becoming curious as to why a lazy girl like me who seldom used to do exercise is now so eager to take every chance to engage in outdoor activities.

In terms of academic life, the professors here are very helpful. I was surprised at first when the students addressed them by their first names. The supportive learning environment in both lectures and tutorials here has provided me with more opportunities to interact and communicate with fellow students. In fact, this is one of the most rewarding aspects of my exchange here. Starting communication with people of different views or backgrounds may seem to be awkward at the beginning, but what you would gain from it is beyond expectation. Making friends from different countries and exchanging our different perspectives have not only broadened my horizons, but also taught me the importance of taking the initiative to explore something different. That is exactly what we are supposed to learn when we go on exchange, isn’t it?

I am grateful for meeting so many kindhearted Australian people. I will not forget the passer-by who came to ask me if I needed help finding my tutorial room, even though he was also in a hurry; the staff of the national gallery who kindly showed me the exhibitions, and the many other students who helped me adapt to my new environment so quickly!

When I come back to Hong Kong, I will definitely recommend Australia as a destination for study exchange. It is a country with an incomparable natural environment, friendly learning ambience and approachable people. So here again, I want to express my gratitude towards the Cheung Kong Group and the Australian Government for contributing to this invaluable cross-cultural communication between Australia and Asia.

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