Details

• China
• BaWiSo-19
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

The student visa application was handled by the university, so I only had to fill out the required form and send it to CityU. Staying in student housing is not mandatory. I would also advise to prepare several course alternatives, since course allocation can be uncertain and changes may only be possible during the add/drop period. Regarding travel, I booked my flight in advance and would recommend arriving a few days before the orientation period starts. This gives you enough time to settle in, get used to the city and take care of practical things such as getting an Octopus Card,eSIM, and finding your way around. In addition, I would recommend taking out proper international health insurance and checking whether additional vaccinations are needed, especially if you plan to travel around Southeast Asia during the semester.

2. Accommodation

I did not stay in the student residence, but chose private housing instead. City University of Hong Kong provides information and recommendations for private housing options, which was helpful during the accommodation search. I would recommend checking these options early, as housing in Hong Kong can be expensive and good places may be taken quickly. Student housing is not mandatory and is much cheaper compared to private accommodation in Hong Kong. However, I personally preferred private housing because it gave me more flexibility and a great location. The student residences can feel quite far away from other parts of the city where many social activities, restaurants and nightlife take place. In general, I would recommend choosing a place close to an MTR station, as this makes getting to university and around the city much easier. Hong Kong felt very safe overall, even at night, so safety was not a major concern for me. One thing to keep in mind is that rooms in Hong Kong are usually smaller than in Europe, so expectations regarding space should be realistic.

3. Academic life at host university

The main academic buildings, library, cafeterias and study areas are easy to reach, and the university is also connected to a shopping mall, which is very convenient for food, groceries and daily needs. The library offers enough study spaces and quiet zones, especially during the exam period. There are also sports facilities and gyms available for students. Courses were often more focused on continuous assessment throughout the semester, including group projects, presentations, quizzes, assignments and participation. In many courses, the final grade did not only depend on one final exam. The teaching style depended a lot on the course. Some classes were quite lecture-based, while others were more interactive and included case studies, discussions or presentations. Overall, I would say that the workload was very manageable for exchange students, but it is important to keep track of deadlines during the semester. The relationship between lecturers and students was generally good. Professors and teaching staff were usually approachable and could be contacted after class or by email. For course selection, I would recommend preparing several alternatives before registration, as course allocation can be uncertain and changes may only be possible during the add/drop period. In general, around three to five courses seem to be a realistic workload for an exchange semester, depending on how much travelling and social life one wants to combine with university.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in Hong Kong was very convenient and exciting. Public transport is excellent, especially the MTR, which is fast, reliable and easy to use. With an Octopus Card, it is very simple to pay for the subway, buses, convenience stores and many other services. Since Hong Kong is very well connected, it is easy to get from university to different parts of the city, although some rides can take a bit of time depending on where you live. I felt very safe in Hong Kong throughout the semester, even at night. The city is very busy and lively, but I never felt uncomfortable. In general, safety was not a major concern, and public transport also felt safe and reliable at all times. Hong Kong offers a lot of social and leisure activities. There are many restaurants, bars, cafés, shopping malls and sightseeing spots. Popular activities include going to Victoria Peak, visiting Lantau Island and the Big Buddha, going to Happy Valley on Wednesday evenings, exploring different neighborhoods, and trying local food. Hong Kong is also a great place for hiking, especially when the weather is not too hot. There are many hiking routes with amazing views, such as Lion Rock or Dragon’s Back. The social life was also very international, especially because there are many exchange students in Hong Kong. It was easy to meet people through university events, mutual friends, social activities and nightlife. CityU also offered some events and orientation activities at the beginning of the semester, which were useful for meeting other exchange students. Regarding sports, there are several options both at the university and around the city. CityU has sports facilities such as gyms and sports halls, and Hong Kong also offers many outdoor activities. Hiking is probably one of the best sports and leisure options, as the city has a unique combination of skyscrapers, mountains and sea. Overall, everyday life in Hong Kong was very dynamic, safe and full of opportunities to explore something new.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester in Hong Kong was one of the most exciting and memorable experiences of my studies. What made it special was the unique combination of a dynamic international city, a completely different cultural environment, and the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. I especially enjoyed exploring Hong Kong and travelling around Asia. Overall, I would definitely recommend CityU and Hong Kong to future exchange students.