Details

• China
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

Preparing for your semester abroad at Hong Kong Polytechnic University should be done well in advance, particularly in two areas. Accommodation: PolyU offers exchange students accommodation in the Student Halls. Make sure not to miss the application deadlines, as a spot is not guaranteed otherwise and finding private housing in Hong Kong is significantly more expensive and time-consuming. Course selection and recognition: Choose your courses carefully and coordinate them with your home university early on. Only submit courses for recognition that you actually intend to take. If a course is unavailable, overbooked, or not offered during your exchange semester, you can easily submit a change request to the recognition office at WU, who will then review and process the updated course selection.

2. Accommodation

Accommodation search experience: The search experience was quite easy and straightforward. All relevant information was provided directly through the PolyU portal and the university website, and communication ran smoothly via email. Both the application period and the application process itself were uncomplicated. Accommodation type: I stayed in a student residence, not in a private apartment. The setup was a shared apartment with one roommate in the bedroom, and the bathroom was shared with another two people from the neighbouring room. So in total, four people shared one bathroom, and two people shared one bedroom. Location, safety, and proximity to the university: The location was excellent. The metro and bus connections were within easy reach, and getting into the city was very convenient. Safety was outstanding, with a security guard on site at all times. The walking distance to the university campus was only around 10 minutes. Tips I wish I'd known beforehand: Be aware that the rooms are very small and tight, and you will be sharing your bedroom with another person. If you are not comfortable with that level of closeness in your sleeping space, you should look into private accommodation options off-campus instead.

3. Academic life at host university

Campus facilities: The campus facilities at PolyU are amazing. There are open gyms, an open pool, tennis courts, and squash courts, all available for students to use. Academic culture: The academic culture is quite similar to WU Vienna, but overall a bit more relaxed. Teaching style compared to WU Vienna: The teaching style is less interactive than what I was used to at WU Vienna, with more focus on the lecturer presenting the material. That said, the quality of teaching was still very high, and all professors had an excellent command of English, which made it easy to follow the lectures and engage with the content.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport: Public transport in Hong Kong is extremely convenient and reliable. The MTR (metro) and bus network covers the entire city, and you can get pretty much anywhere quickly and affordably. An Octopus Card is a must-have, as it works across all transport modes and even in many shops and restaurants. Safety situation: The safety situation was amazing. I never felt uncomfortable at any point during my stay, whether during the day or late at night. Hong Kong is one of the safest cities I have ever been to. Social and leisure activities: Everyday life was very convenient overall. Everything you need is within easy reach, including groceries, sports facilities, and the university itself. Even within the dorms there were great amenities such as a cinema room, a pool table, and a swimming pool. The social scene was great too, with plenty of events happening across the city. Hong Kong is very open and active when it comes to events, festivals, and nightlife. Sports options: Sports options were excellent both on and off campus. The PolyU campus offers open gyms, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and squash courts. Beyond campus, there are also great opportunities for hiking, running along the waterfront, and various outdoor activities throughout the city.

6. Testimonial

My exchange in Hong Kong was one of the most exciting and eye-opening experiences I have ever had. The mix of vibrant city life, incredible food, easy travel access across Asia, and meeting people from all over the world made every single week feel special. Hong Kong itself, with its unique blend of skyscrapers, mountains, and ocean, is a place I would return to in a heartbeat. If you get the chance to go, take it without hesitation.