YU Hoi Ling, Jennifer

Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong
Exchange to University of Wollongong, Australia

Studying abroad was like a dream to me when I was still a high school student. Thankfully, with the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards, I was able to set my foot on the Australian soil.

Being away from home for one year wasn’t an easy task, particularly when I had to adapt to another culture which I was totally unfamiliar with. For nobody was there to look after me every single step of the way. I was at first worried and anxious of the challenges that were lying ahead of me.

In regards to personal development, Studying overseas had enabled me to become more culturally sensitive and independent. I lived on-campus at college accommodation with many great people from around the globe. Through activities such as harbour cruise and cooking festival, I was delighted to make many friends. Influenced by my dorm-mates, I quickly learnt to value the importance of ‘work hard, play hard’. During the year, I had also managed to resolve conflicts and difficulties on my own with the support of my friends.

Academically, studying at the University of Wollongong had been both challenging, and paradoxically, relaxing. The teaching styles and learning methods were different between Hong Kong and Australia. Back at home in Hong Kong, there were times when we could choose to complete our researches or assignments in either Chinese or English, depending on whichever language we were more comfortable with. However, as English was the only teaching medium in Australia, pressure eventually caught up on me when we were given piles and piles of readings and self-study materials to review. Nonetheless, the tranquillity of the campus and its stone-throw distance from the beach made studying more relaxing and enjoyable.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards program, for giving me this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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