Erica SHUM

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

The exchange opportunity was important to me because it was my first time being out of Hong Kong. My host city was Brisbane and I exchanged at The University of Queensland ("UQ").

Brisbane impressed me most with its friendliness. In general, "Brisbaners" smile more than Hong Kong people and speak with more patience and in a kinder tone. I was amazed to find that passengers and bus drivers greet each other when the former get on the bus, and say "thank you" as they get off. People there take the initiation to help others. If I appeared lost on the street, someone would walk up and ask if they might help with anything. If I had a heavy luggage with me and had to walk up the stairs, without needing even a pleading look, people would offer to help. It made me reflect on the attitude of Hong Kong people towards one another.

The academic exchange was another cultural shock. As literature students, we always have discussion in class to share ideas and analysis of a text, but in my home university, students tend to speak up simply for participation marks, while at UQ the tutor and students felt more like friends chatting casually, and everyone was genuinely interested in the textbooks. The campus itself was eye-opening as it perfectly combines nature and artificial structures. There is greenery everywhere, wild birds roaming freely around, and even a huge lake with abundant bio-diversity and wildlife. There are all sorts of student-friendly facilities on campus, such as 24/7 student kitchens, microwave rooms and shower rooms. All the above made me think about how planning in Hong Kong could be improved.

I gained most, however, from non-academic experience during the semester exchange. To make myself more independent, I rented a flat in the suburb and learnt to take care of myself, coping with everything from studies to housework to fixing broken equipment. It was good for honing time management skills. Living on my own, I have learnt to stay calm and make snap decision when facing emergency. I have discovered that I am actually a more capable person than I thought, which has encouraged me to be confident in face of challenges. Moreover, the Endeavour Scholarship allowed me to travel to other Australian cities, exploring the similarities and differences in their cultures, trying out activities that might not be found in Brisbane, and generally making the most out of my exchange experience.

All in all, the exchange experience is eye-opening. I have gained exposure to all sorts of things that I may not otherwise have a chance to, not just tourist-wise but also academic-wise. I would recommend every university student to go on exchange.

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