Ali KHANDOKER

Student of The University of Western Australia, Australia
Exchange to The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

My exchange journey started with a budget airline as I decided to save every penny that I could save in airfare so I could explore as many places - in fact this was one of the primary motives of choosing Hong Kong for my exchange. In one hand it’s the heart of Asia and close to many beautiful attractions across the border; on the other hand it’s a blend of Eastern and Western cultures that gives you the taste of experiencing half of the world!

I took my first stop in Singapore to drill myself a bit with the fast moving people. I found myself slow when walking on the street with thousands of people. However, the roller coasters at Universal Studio would never let you slow down! Also, the largest water show - Song of the Sea experience made you stopped and talked for a few minutes to share your experience.

I still remember the amazing bird’s-eye view at night when the pilot prompted us to fasten the seat belt before landing Hong Kong. It’s truly a city of lights and skyscrapers! As soon as I landed, I realised people are even more broad-minded than skyscrapers in welcoming foreigners – this is probably the reason why so many foreigners choose to reside in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, it’s not just a city of man-made buildings; it’s a perfect mixture of nature and concrete! Hiking to the Peak and cliff diving at Sai Kung were some of the adventures that I will never forget. And I couldn’t stop when I started talking about cruising on the Victoria Harbour, cabling to the big giant Buddha and roaming around the vibrant street market. I will never forget the taste of the street food, and don’t miss the desserts in Hong Kong!

Having been raised in a culturally diverse country, I thought I would not feel the cultural difference that every exchanger experiences during their exchange. But I was wrong - every country has something unique to offer. The fellow exchangers you meet from all across the sphere not only gives you the taste of every culture, but also questions your need of Google and Wikipedia during the exchange life. However, your Facebook friend list will get longer than the highest skyscraper in Hong Kong. The lifelong friends I made in exchange are exponential to infinity!

And how could I forget HKU - the oldest tertiary institution of Hong Kong? There were mainly two considerations behind my decision of choosing this university for the exchange program. The key reason is its academic excellence, ranking among world leading universities and reputation in emerging Asia. Also, today’s business world is moving towards Asia; hence I believed an experience in the Asia’s best university would offer further opportunities for my career.

In my final note I would say - exchange is all about moving out of your shell, exploring the world, experiencing a different culture and lifestyle that would change one’s perception of life. Before I went on exchange, someone advised - be a beggar, but never forget to explore! My advice to all exchanger would be the same!

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