Amanda WISENTHAL

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

As I come to the end of my semester-long exchange at The University of Hong Kong ("HKU"), I would like to thank sincerely CK Infrastructure and the Australian Government for their help in making this experience possible.

I have really enjoyed studying at HKU as I had great lecturers and took some interesting subjects - particularly Molecular Medicine and Food Microbiology. My science courses were structured similarly to those at my home university, which made it quite easy to adjust to and proved to me that science really is an international discipline. Although I could not study my law major here, it was interesting to participate in the Hong Kong Global Pound Conference as a crew member and learnt a little about Hong Kong's legal perspectives on the complex issues of commercial dispute resolution. I stayed in university accommodation at Starr Hall, a very friendly place, and experienced HKU's high table dinners.

This exchange was my first time living outside of my small home city of Brisbane, so it was very exciting to make such a modern, vibrant and exciting city my temporary home. I was surprised to find many of the things I am familiar with are unique to Australia, and that even though many Australians are monolingual it is quite rare in other places. From what I have seen during my time here, the population of Hong Kong is made up of a lot of diverse people in a small area and it has its own strongly-defined culture. Even though the city is very fast-paced, people here have been very kind, helpful and tolerant of my lack of language skills. I am sure I shall always feel a close connection with Hong Kong.

I have been lucky to meet lots of great people during my time here, both exchange students and local students. My friends have taught me about Hong Kong and about their own countries, and along with the other Australians I have taught them about my country. It has been fun to explore Hong Kong's various sights and food with new friends, travel to the outlying islands as well as Vietnam, Cambodia, mainland China and Thailand, visit Lan Kwai Fong and Kennedy Town harbour, go cycling and camping, play bubble soccer, and battle at the Hong Kong International Pillow fight.

Initially I had trouble finding my way around Hong Kong, especially when looking for places to eat with vegetarian options. Over time, though, I had become familiar with the city, and after finding my favourite restaurants I know I shall miss eating delicious vegetarian dumplings, pineapple buns and egg waffles. More than that, though, I shall remember this amazing city, stimulating classes, fun lifestyle, and all the great people I have met here.

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