Details

• China
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

Choosing HKUST The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is consistently ranked among the top universities in Asia and offers a strong selection of business and technology courses taught entirely in English. For students interested in Asian business environments, entrepreneurship, or technology-driven industries, HKUST is an excellent choice. The campus is located in Clear Water Bay, Sai Kung — away from the city centre, but well-connected by bus and minibus, and set in a stunning coastal environment. Visa & Entry The process is handled through HKUST's admission office after you receive your official acceptance letter. You need to send them several things a few weeks prior to your flight. Flights Book your flights well in advance. The semester starts at the end of January, which is a relatively quiet travel period, so prices are manageable if booked a few months ahead. Accommodation Apply for on-campus student housing as early as possible. HKUST has limited exchange student places in its halls of residence, and demand is high. Living on campus is strongly recommended — especially at the beginning — as the campus is somewhat remote and having accommodation there makes orientation much easier. Be aware that Hong Kong's humidity can be very high, which can affect rooms, particularly during spring and early summer. Banking & Money Get yourself a Revolut Card, worked perfectly fine for me, no matter if I was in Vietnam, Taiwan or Hong Kong. Many shops and restaurants in Hong Kong still operate on a cash basis, though Octopus Card (a rechargeable transit and payment card) covers most daily expenses including MTR, buses, and convenience stores. Get your Octopus Card at an MTR Station on the first day. SIM Card Local SIM cards are cheap and the University hosts an information day where they tell you the best providers, I used SoSim and it worked perfectly. Data is very affordable in Hong Kong compared to Austria — a monthly plan with generous data costs a fraction of European prices. Course Registration HKUST uses a preference-based course selection system for exchange students: before the semester begins, you receive a form on which you rank your preferred courses in order of priority. Take this seriously — it is one of the most important steps in your preparation. Think carefully about which courses align with your academic goals and which are realistic backup options, as your final schedule depends directly on how well you plan this ranking. A practical tip: try to arrange your courses across no more than three days per week. Hong Kong is an ideal base for exploring Asia, and with classes concentrated on fewer days, you gain extended weekends for travel — which is one of the biggest advantages of doing your exchange in this part of the world. With budget airlines operating out of Hong Kong International Airport, destinations like Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, mainland China, and Southeast Asia are all easily reachable for short trips. Packing January in Hong Kong is mild (around 15–18°C), but temperatures rise quickly towards spring and become very hot and humid by May and June (30°C+). Pack light clothing for the warmer months. A light jacket or fleece for January and for heavily air-conditioned classrooms and shopping malls is a must year-round.

2. Accommodation

Type & Application Process I lived in Jockey Club Hall, a university-managed student residence located around a 15-minute bus ride from the main HKUST campus. The shuttle is organised by the university, so getting to and from campus is straightforward. The application is handled through HKUST's housing office after receiving your acceptance — apply as early as possible, as places for exchange students are limited. Location & Why Jockey Club Hall I would actively recommend choosing Jockey Club Hall over the on-campus residences. It is more modern, and its location closer to the city gives you noticeably better access to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island for evenings out, weekend activities, and general city life. Living slightly off-campus also gives the stay a more authentic Hong Kong feel compared to being fully enclosed within the campus environment. One Important Social Tip This is something I would strongly emphasise: coordinate with your fellow exchange students about accommodation early. If you end up in Jockey Club Hall while most of your friends are in on-campus housing, you will constantly be the one making the trip to meet them — which gets old quickly. Either convince your group to all go for Jockey Club Hall, or make sure you have at least a few friends there with you. The social dynamic of where you live matters more than most people expect going in. Safety Hong Kong is an extremely safe city. I never felt unsafe at any point, whether in the residence, in the city, or on public transport late at night. Tips I Wish I'd Known Humidity is a real issue. If you leave your room closed for extended periods — for example, when travelling — you may return to find mold on walls or belongings. Keep a window slightly open or use a dehumidifier. Bring a power adapter. Hong Kong uses UK-type three-pin plugs (Type G), different from Austrian plugs.

3. Academic life at host university

Campus Facilities HKUST's campus is exceptionally well-equipped. The library, sports facilities, and study spaces are all of a very high standard. The campus also has a wide range of restaurants, cafés, and convenience stores, making it easy to spend full days there without needing to leave. Although you will not be satisfied with the food you are getting on campus, it's simply not good. The waterfront location adds a quality to daily campus life that is hard to find elsewhere. Academic Culture & Teaching Style The academic culture at HKUST differs noticeably from WU Vienna. Professors are accessible and expect students to come prepared. Group work is central to most courses. You will regularly work in mixed international teams, which is both a challenge and one of the most valuable aspects of the exchange academically. Grading & Workload The workload is not as high as most people say, you just have to assign for the right courses. Assignments, case studies, group presentations, and participation grades accumulate throughout the semester. That said, if you stay on top of the work, the courses are very manageable and genuinely interesting. Course Recommendations I took four courses that I would all recommend: Strategic Management in China is an excellent course for anyone interested in Asian business environments. It gives you a deep understanding of how Western business frameworks apply — and where they break down — in the Chinese context. The course uses real case studies and requires you to engage critically with current events in Chinese business and geopolitics. Highly relevant for anyone considering a career with any Asia exposure. Developing the Leader in You is a more personal development-oriented course that focuses on leadership styles, self-awareness, and team dynamics. It is less academic in the traditional sense but genuinely useful, and the interactive format makes it one of the more memorable courses of the semester. Tech Entrepreneurship is basically a course where you prompt a lot and discuss a lot of different topics. Marketing Management is a very basic marketing course, easy credits.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public Transport Hong Kong has one of the best public transport systems in the world — efficient, clean, safe, and very affordable. The MTR (Mass Transit Railway) covers most of the city and runs frequently until after midnight. Buses and minibuses fill the gaps, including the university shuttle between Jockey Club Hall and the HKUST campus. The single most important thing to get upon arrival is an Octopus Card, available at the airport. It works across virtually all public transport — MTR, buses, minibuses, ferries — and can also be used to pay at convenience stores, supermarkets, and many restaurants. Top it up regularly and it covers almost all your daily payment needs. Getting around Hong Kong is genuinely one of the pleasures of living there. The Star Ferry between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island costs almost nothing and offers one of the best views in Asia. Safety Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world. Walking alone at night, taking public transport late, exploring unfamiliar neighbourhoods — none of this ever felt like a concern. For Austrian students used to a safe home environment, Hong Kong will feel entirely familiar in this regard. Social & Leisure Activities The social life during an exchange semester at HKUST is excellent. The international student community is large and active, and there are plenty of organised events at the beginning of the semester to help you meet people quickly. Most socialising happens in the evenings in areas like Lan Kwai Fong (Central), Soho, Tsim Sha Tsui, or Wan Chai — all easily reachable by MTR. Hong Kong's food scene is a highlight in itself. From cheap and excellent local dim sum and roast meat restaurants to international cuisines from across Asia, eating well on a student budget is very easy. Avoid tourist traps and eat where locals eat — the quality difference is significant. Sports Options HKUST's sports facilities are very good and included in the student fee. The gym is well-equipped, and there are courts for basketball, tennis, and other sports on campus. The surrounding area is also excellent for hiking — Hong Kong has an extensive trail network, and some of the best hikes (such as the Dragon's Back or routes around Clear Water Bay) are accessible without much travel. Hiking is genuinely one of the best things to do on a free afternoon. Travel One of the biggest advantages of being based in Hong Kong is the access it gives you to the rest of Asia. Hong Kong International Airport is a major hub with frequent and affordable connections. During the semester I travelled to Taiwan, South Korea, mainland China, Japan, and Vietnam, and did a longer solo trip in mid-May. With courses concentrated on three days per week, extended weekends for travel are very achievable. Use budget carriers like HKExpress, HongKong Airlines, and take full advantage of the location — this is something you simply cannot replicate from Vienna.

6. Testimonial

Spending a semester at HKUST was one of the most formative experiences of my studies. Hong Kong itself is an extraordinary city — vibrant, safe, and incredibly well-connected — and being based there gave me the opportunity to travel across Asia in a way that would simply not have been possible from Vienna. Academically, the exposure to Asian business culture and the interactive teaching style at HKUST genuinely changed how I think about business and leadership. If you get the chance to go, take it without hesitation.