Brigitte YAP

Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Exchange to Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

When I finished high school I made a promise to myself that when I go to university I would do something ‘out of my comfort zone’ and something memorable. In my first year of university I found that ‘something’ and that was to study abroad to another country.

In August 2011 I kept my promise and embarked on an experience of a lifetime. I had spent the past two years getting ready for this adventure and nothing would prepare me for what I was about to experience. These are some of my experiences and thoughts of my student exchange experience to Hong Kong.

I spent a semester abroad at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, PolyU for short, in Kowloon, Hong Kong. PolyU is a city university where public transport to the university, as with all of Hong Kong, was exceptional and facilities were excellent! As with anywhere you go, there were notable similarities and differences between cities and the university lifestyle was no different. In all facets on exchange I admired the similarities and enthralled on the differences which only made my time at PolyU and in Hong Kong more exciting and rewarding! To mine and most other exchangers’ advantage, all classes were conducted in English however this not just furthered me in my degree but also extended my own personal growth, development and understanding of the world around me; it opened my eyes to a completely new learning experience and environment!

One of the best things I found being on exchange was the number of people you meet from all over the world hence expanding my international connections! These people soon became my best friends and my family with whom I could share all my highs and lows with. Without these people my exchange experience would not have been as it was or as memorable.

Nevertheless with any exchange experience, it was not all study. We had enough spare time to do the touristy things such as eat the local food, visit numerous temples, theme parks and local villages, spend hours shopping and of course enjoy the nightlife! However my touristy adventures were not just limited to Hong Kong. Hong Kong, being virtually the centre of South East Asia gave me the ability to travel to many different Asian countries such as China, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.

It is renowned that Hong Kong would not be Hong Kong without the abundance of people! The locals were always very friendly and welcoming and it was great to be able to integrate into the Hong Kong culture for a short period. They are always willing to show you around their local area and show you the traditional way of life. In addition, the local people are always interested in listen to your story of where you come from and how life differs for you.

My overall experience in Hong Kong was exceptional; I loved every moment and wish I can turn back time and experience it all again! My advice for future exchange students, no matter where they are heading in the world, would be to embrace all the opportunities on exchange as you will never have this experience again or meet a better group of people in your life!

Finally, I would like to thank the Endeavor Australia Cheung Kong Awards and the Australian Government for sponsoring and giving me this opportunity to study abroad. Without this opportunity my ‘something memorable’ I promised myself at the start of university would not have been so memorable or so ‘out of my comfort zone’ and for this I am eternally grateful.

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