Details

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

1. Preparation

Start early, because some steps take longer than expected. You need a student visa, which HKUST sponsors. Processing can take several weeks, so don’t book non-refundable flights before you have it. Apply for on-campus housing as soon as possible, since it’s much cheaper than private housing and places are limited. Course registration is first-come, first-served, so have backup courses ready and clarify credit transfer beforehand. Bring a credit card without foreign fees, and get an Octopus card on arrival. Pack light clothes and a jacket for the strong air conditioning, plus a UK-type plug adapter. I flew from Munich with Air China [via Beijing], mainly because it was cheaper. For the return flight I chose Cathay Pacific, which was much more comfortable, so I would recommend it if the price difference is small. From the airport, a taxi to HKUST is the easiest option with luggage.

2. Accommodation

I lived on campus in one of HKUST’s student halls, which I can clearly recommend. The application went through the university, so there was no real search involved. I just had to apply in time. There are several halls with different room layouts. I shared a double room with a student from Paris. International students are often placed together, which makes it easy to meet other exchange students but harder to get to know locals. The campus is right by the sea, and everything you need is within walking distance: lecture halls, canteens, the sports facilities and supermarkets. Hong Kong in general is very safe, and I never felt unsafe on campus or in the city. My tip: apply for housing as early as possible. If you want more contact with local students, try to get involved in hall activities.

3. Academic life at host university

Academic life at HKUST was very relaxed. Since you live right on campus, you are always in the middle of things and can get to the library or your lectures within minutes. The facilities are excellent: there are several gyms, a running track, BBQ spots and plenty of places to study. People are very friendly and helpful, both students and staff. Compared to WU Vienna, classes are smaller and more interactive, and the grade is usually spread across several parts such as midterms, group projects and participation instead of one final exam. Many professors are really good and have very interesting professional backgrounds, which I enjoyed a lot. For course selection, I would pay more attention to the professor than to the course title. It also helps a lot to talk to former exchange students beforehand.

5. Every day life in the host country

Getting around is easy. A bus leaves directly from campus, and when we were a group, we often took an Uber, which can be cheaper than public transport when the cost is split. Hong Kong is very safe at any time of day, so you don’t need to worry when going out at night. I studied a lot and did a lot of sports, but evenings out are great too. There are many rooftop parties, and the nightlife is fun, though going from bar to bar can get expensive. A popular cheaper alternative is 7-Eleven, which has everything a bar offers at a fraction of the price. Hong Kong is also a great base for travelling, so if you want to see more of Asia, use the chance for weekend or holiday trips.

6. Testimonial

My exchange in Hong Kong was simply crazy in the best way. The city is a wild mix, with something for everyone, whether you love hiking and the outdoors or going out at night. What I enjoyed most was meeting so many people from all over the world. Sharing a room with a complete stranger turned out to be a great experience as well.