Kaiyue HELIAN

Student of Australian National University, Australia
Exchange to The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

I am studying Biology at Australian National University, and am at the third year of study. Supported by Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards, I am so fortunate to go on exchange to The University of Hong Kong.

This is not my first time for exchange as I have studied in the US for a year as an exchange student when I was in high school, but this semester on exchange in Hong Kong is much more fruitful. The first exchange experience in high school taught me how to be independent, this time I have been able to explore the world and find my true self during the journey.

I grew up in the Mainland China and moved to Australia later with my family. Although I have spent quite a long time in Australia to adapt to the different culture and lifestyle, sometimes I still struggled a bit and found myself on the edge of two different cultures, especially when I was under stress. Hong Kong is a place that fits me so well because it is a city with the mixture of Chinese and western cultures. Having stayed here for a period, I started to realise that my ability to adapt well to both the eastern and western cultures makes me special somehow. Moreover, since Hong Kong is so close to Mainland China, I managed to go to Beijing for Chinese New Year and visit my grandparents. I had not been able to go back to homeland for Chinese New Year for such a long time. The experience of gathering with the whole family and celebrating the traditional festival was so heartwarming for me.

In addition, I have also got the chance to travel around and meet different people during exchange. Some of the Asian countries are not as developed and safe as Australia and I did have some troubles when I travelled, but I was lucky enough to meet someone who offered help for me. All the ups and downs made the journey memorable. I treasure all these memories and it makes me more determined to be open-minded and be kind to the people around.

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