Amanda BELANJI

Student of Victoria University, Australia
Exchange to Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong

My exchange in Hong Kong is a time I will never forget. I would firstly like to thank the Cheung Kong Group for offering me the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Award - their generosity provided me with an opportunity of a lifetime. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Victoria University for their support and encouragement to study abroad.

There are many reasons Hong Kong was the right choice for my semester abroad. I wanted to experience a culture unlike my own and Hong Kong definitely provided that for me. It's a country that has so much to see and explore, its rich and vibrant with so much to do. I pushed my personal boundaries and went out of my comfort zone, cliff jumping off an 8 metre cliff in Sai Kung. It was the start of so many amazing experiences for me.

Some of my fondest memories in Hong Kong were from the wonderful local people I was able to interact with. I studied at Hong Kong Baptist University, located in Kowloon Tong, Kowloon. The HKBU students were welcoming, curious and inquisitive. I developed close friendships with my local roommates who generously shared their knowledge of local culture, food and customs.

I enjoyed being able to work with fellow students from many different nationalities including Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, and America. We bonded in a short amount of time through our shared experience of living abroad. I have made friendships that will last a lifetime.

Hong Kong gave me an opportunity to travel to multiple Asian destinations such as Japan, The Philippines, Vietnam, Macau, Malaysia, Bali and Thailand. I never imagined travelling to so many places in six months.

Hong Kong provided me an experience to help me grow academically and personally, in a way I could never imagine. To anyone thinking of taking the chance, go for it! It will change you in ways you can only imagine.

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