Details

• China
• MACEMS-25
• Graduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

Flight Operated by Austrian Airlines (in partnership with Swiss via Zurich to Hong Kong, and Lufthansa via Frankfurt on the way back to Vienna). Cost was around €850, including an 8kg carry-on and a 23kg checked bag. Visa Information is sent by HKUST Business School, who forward your documents to the immigration department. This is quite a process (though well explained), so take your time filling everything out and keep the deadlines in mind. Delays can result in not being able to enter Hong Kong in time to start the programme. Visa handling fee: HK$1,000. Admission Even though you've already been accepted by WU and HKUST for the exchange, you still need to submit an application, essentially registering yourself in HKUST's postgraduate system. Mandatory Insurance (AIG) Required as part of the application to HKUST. Courses HKUST sends a list of possible courses in advance and enrols you based on your preferences. Everyone in our group got their preferred courses. Note The HKUST MSc International Management Team will send you everything you need to know and do well in advance. It can seem like a lot of information and tasks, so check your email regularly and take your time filling out forms to avoid mistakes and delays. The team is very friendly and happy to help with any questions. Tip Don't worry if you don't receive your visa confirmation early, even if others already have, quite a few people only received theirs a few days before departure.

2. Accommodation

Where to look: - Airbnb - Serviced apartments: Weave (many colleagues were there),... - Habyt - ... Prices: - min. 800€ per person per month - max 1600€ per person per month (from what I've experienced my colleagues were paying even though the upside is obviously unlimited) Experience: At first we (we were 3 looking for an apartment together) booked an Airbnb in Prince Edward on mainland Hong Kong for about 900€ per person per month. Turned out it was wayyyy to small for 3 people and decided to move. We luckily found an apartment with Habyt on the Island in Central which is one of the most vibrant areas in HK. This was about 1000€ on average per person per month. Takeaways: - The island is more western with lots of different shopping opportunities, restaurants, bars,... and were most of the expats and international students live. Therefore also more expensive but definitely worth the extra 100€ that we paid. - If you are travelling alone than a weave could be a good option. Rather expensive and little room, but the comfort level is higher. And if you are lucky you'll live on a very high floor and have an insane view. Overall 3 stars because it was rather hard to find accommodation and our first experience really bad, but our second experience was almost to good to be true.

3. Academic life at host university

Campus Facilities Campus facilities were excellent overall. Classrooms and tech equipment were good, but what impressed me most were the extracurricular sports facilities, football fields, a running track, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and more. The size of the campus is also impressive, and it was very convenient to have a dedicated floor/area for MSc students in the business building. There are also several food spots and a canteen near the business building. Courses Courses were good overall, some were a bit underwhelming, while others were really informative and exciting. Workload I completed 31 ECTS in total, which is totally manageable even alongside travel plans. Since the campus was about a 1-hour commute from Central (metro–metro–bus), I made sure to schedule my classes so I only had to go to campus twice a week.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public Transport The Octopus Card works for everything: metro, tram, bus, and more (highly recommended). Safety I actually felt even safer in Hong Kong than in Vienna. Social/Leisure Horse races on Wednesdays We went hiking far more often than clubbing, and I'd definitely recommend doing as many hikes as possible. The trails are easy (at least for an Austrian) and offer incredible views over the city almost the entire time. My personal highlight was the boat party organised by the CEMS Club. Head to the sea! Repulse Bay Beach is an easy, classic choice, but it's also worth exploring other beaches in the northeast of Hong Kong. Camping Running, either with views over Hong Kong or on campus with views toward the sea Tennis (7 courts available on campus)

6. Testimonial

Hong Kong was my first time in Asia, and it turned out to be the perfect bridge between East and West. What made it truly special was the mix of everything within reach: beach days by the sea, hikes in the hills, and a buzzing metropolis with incredible food, bars, and shopping, all within 30 minutes of each other. You can dive into Chinese culture one moment and grab a pizza from a great Italian place on the island the next. Between a boat party, countless hikes, and celebrations with friends and colleagues, getting to experience this mix for four months made it an unforgettable exchange.