CHEUNG Chi Wang, Michael

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

I had nurtured the idea of participating in an exchange programme ever since I started university in 2016. At the time, I had already made up my mind on going to Hong Kong. In a sense, the decision for exchange and the chosen destination was purely strategic. But not in a scheming and conniving way, of course! I knew that studying at a university in Hong Kong would allow me to reconnect with my extended family that I had left behind when my family migrated to Australia. Apart from this, Hong Kong is also home to some of the finest universities in the world, which would benefit my academic pursuits.

The exchange programme would also allow me to test my skills of independence, as it would be the longest time I have been away from home and on my own. I will admit that, initially, it was a daunting feeling. "Am I ready? What if I get homesick and regret all my decisions?" These were the questions that constantly plagued me just days before I left home. Once I was finally on my own, however, the thought never even occurred to me. There was a sense of awe and childish excitement that filled me when I explored the hidden areas of Hong Kong by myself, and finally making my own judgements on where to go, where to eat, and what new place to explore next, etc.

My chosen semester abroad (being the first half of 2018) also allowed me to experience Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year) for the first time in over a decade! And not simply witnessing it, but being involved in the festivities with my extended family made it all the more special. This moment alone has made my exchange experience worth it.

The university aspect was more or less what I had expected. The coursework was challenging, but bearable (which is to be expected of any third year engineering programme). I found it fascinating the difference in teaching methods here compared to Australia, and it was interesting to see how Hong Kong students interact with each other and their surroundings, because unlike Brisbane (where I study in Australia), Hong Kong is an extremely fast paced city with a huge population.

At this writing, I have yet to complete my exchange in Hong Kong. Nonetheless, my experience has surpassed my initial expectations. Without a doubt, these months abroad have been life-changing, and I will always cherish the memories I have made here in Hong Kong.

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