Details

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

1. Preparation

For the trip from the airport to the uni, I think Uber is your best choice. The public transport route from the airport to CUHK is not very convenient, considering you will have a lot of bags and luggage with you. The driver can enter the campus without problems and drop you off at your dorm.

2. Accommodation

The campus is bigger than you think and located on a mountain, which makes walking less attractive, especially considering the humidity and heat. But luckily there are multiple shuttle buses operating every day. I lived on campus at International House 2, which was far from my lecture halls, but with the shuttle bus, it will be a 10-15 minute ride, depending on the bus line. I would consider all of Hong Kong very safe; so is the campus. The only dangers are wild boars, snakes, and monkeys, but the university will tell you more about that after your arrival. The international office of CUHK will guide you through the application for the accommodation. You can choose which house you prefer, but it is not guaranteed that you will get the one you chose. The process was very straightforward, and the International Office's instructions are pretty clear.

3. Academic life at host university

From my experience in the economics department, the teaching style is not very interactive; attendance is usually not required and will only reward you with bonus points. Campus facilities are good and clean, but make sure you plan your time well, as your lecture halls may be spread out across campus, requiring you to hike or take the shuttle bus. course recommendations: chinese / asia economy classes. It is a good opportunity to learn about Chinese viewpoints of economy and history.

5. Every day life in the host country

Regarding safety, I advise you to ask one of the female exchange students that went to Hong Kong, as their perception might be more meaningful, but from my experience, I feel very safe in Hong Kong at any time. No matter the district or time, there are always plenty of people on the streets, and police are very present all over the city. Hong Kong might have the best public transport in the world. It is very affordable and easily accessible with the octopus card (for the MTR and buses, a credit card also works). The MTR is very time-efficient but more costly (a few weeks after your arrival you will be able to apply for the student Octopus, which will give you a 50% discount on the MTR). Buses are less reliable, as the traffic can be horrible during rush hours and trams only operate on Hong Kong Island. CUHK offers plenty of sports options. It is possible to join football teams, rent tennis courts, go to the gym, and many, many more. You will be assigned to a college, which will plan different events spread over the semester. It is usually a good opportunity to socialize and get to know locals, as well as other exchange students. I recommend joining some of them at the start, as it will make it easier to find friends. Apart from campus activities, Hong Kong has a lot to offer: many beautiful hikes, beaches and islands to explore

6. Testimonial

I only traveled to Taiwan once and spent some days in mainland China, but apart from that, I only stood in Hong Kong. I spent more time with local friends I met there than with other exchange students, and it was definitely worth it. I have learned so much about the culture and the way of living, which made my exchange so special. It is easy to be a tourist somewhere, but it is a unique experience to live a different life on the other side of the planet for one semester.