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Thomas JARRETT
Student of the University of Queensland, Australia
Exchange to the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
At the University of Hong Kong ("HKU"), I studied analytical chemistry, biological laboratory techniques, an introduction to environmental science, and two "common core" courses: "Feeding the World" and "Food and Ethics". Common core courses are meant to teach students critical thinking and about the world. The last three courses linked really well, and it was fascinating to learn about the production and distribution of food (particularly in China) with an environmental background while learning about moral issues to do with food. Enrolment can be a bit hectic; it's first in, best dressed, and quotas on classes can be quite low. I would highly recommend doing the sign-on process with your hall mates, or with whoever you can if you are not in a hall. Or on your own if you are not in HK when it needs to get done, I guess.
I feel like I have learned lots about people after going on exchange. I can understand why so many international students group up with other international students at the University of Queensland (exchange students tended to huddle up by chance. We spoke differently than locals). I understand what it is like to set foot in a country and have no idea what you are doing or how you are even going to get to your accommodation. I am so grateful to my boys on Twelfthlane who gave me sheets to sleep on the night I arrived, and I remember how they shared hotpot with me. I got welcomed like family by so many different social circles. Now, I only want to do the same to those around me.
I lived in university accommodation in a hall. My hall was Lee Shau Kee, it was AWESOME. It has a reputation of being the "friendly" hall of Jockey II (St John's reputation is high achievement and no sleep. Suen Chi Sun's is the "pretty" hall, etc.). University accommodation is so much cheaper than off-campus accommodation, so I would highly recommend anyone to apply as soon as they can for a hall. Jockey III halls have more international students, and so there is a good mix. Lee Shau Kee was awesome and I participated in a bunch of my floor's activities (we ate food together, watched each other's softball games, and they taught me some Cantonese). If you are unfortunate enough not to get accommodation, there is a bunch of people in the same boat as you who will stay in the On Hing building.
Accommodation will either cost an absolute fortune or not much at all, depending on how lucky you get. I paid about HK$7,700 for my accommodation for the semester, but I know some folks who paid that per month off-campus. Transport is cheap as chips. Food is kind of expensive if you buy a meal, especially western food. If you are budget-conscious, it is best to head to the markets which sell produce and meat and eggs. Cooking yourself will save you a fortune. On-campus food is pretty cheap (about A$3), but kind of notoriously bad among locals.
I am very extroverted, and fighting loneliness was probably the biggest challenge. It is really easy to get overwhelmed, to not talk to locals, to be acquaintances but not friends with so many exchange students. I attended activities and learned some Cantonese from my hall mates. I hosted a dinner every other week at my hall for exchange students. I attended an awesome church on Sundays. I put myself out there, and so got to become good friends with so many people. Now my struggle is I miss my friends who are spreading all across the world.
Studying in Hong Kong gave me a totally new perspective on so many issues we face as Australians and as citizens of planet Earth. Environmental issues became so apparent to me. The "money will solve this problem" attitude is unproductive, and I want to use chemical biotechnology as a tool to reform plastic recycling and production processes. This is a passion and attitude I would not have adopted had I not gone on exchange.
The people and the food – I travelled to Taiwan and twice to the mainland and to Macau and all around Hong Kong, but the landmarks are quickly forgotten. Instead, I will always remember the experiences I shared with people and the food I ate with them. I heard people's stories from all over – from a British friend with a mum from Hong Kong who was almost discovering her heritage as her exchange went on, to a young Chinese woman working at a hostel with the biggest sense of wanderlust.
Plan in advance – I was lucky enough to have planned my courses so that I could do all on-list electives while on exchange. It meant I did not need to do any compulsory courses, which made course enrolment a much more relaxing process.
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