Details

• China
• BBE-18
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

The application process at WU is mainly based on grades and personal fit. Since exchange places can be competitive, it is important to set clear priorities early and not rely on only one preferred university. Having alternative options is helpful in case the first choice does not work out. For the interview, it is best to be authentic and well prepared. Knowing why you want to go abroad and being able to explain your motivation clearly makes a big difference. Planning ahead is key when preparing for the semester abroad. Administrative tasks, accommodation, and course selection should be organized as early as possible. Staying flexible and well informed helps make the transition smoother.

2. Accommodation

HKU provides information about on-campus and student housing options in the initial emails and during the information sessions. However, securing a place is not guaranteed and you should absolutely not rely on it. In my semester, two other WU students and I attended HKU and none of us received a spot in university accommodation. The notification about the housing outcome was communicated relatively late, around two to three weeks before my flight. As a result, I arranged private accommodation. This option is significantly more expensive than student housing, in line with the high rental prices in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is generally very safe. Accommodation close to the university tends to be expensive and limited. Living further away can reduce costs but usually comes with longer commuting times. Together with the housing allocation results, HKU provides a list of pre vetted accommodation options. In my experience, many of the listed landlords did not offer short term rentals. I contacted several of them and received rejections. I would therefore recommend starting to look for private accommodation options early and not relying solely on university housing.

3. Academic life at host university

HKU offers excellent campus infrastructure. There are many food and beverage options directly on campus, including two canteens, a Subway, a Starbucks, several vending machines, and places like the Sandwich Club. This makes spending long days at the university very convenient. The academic level is relatively high and the professors are very engaged. Classes at HKU usually require a high level of attendance and continuous work throughout the semester. Many courses include regular assignments, group work, and presentations. Teaching styles are mixed, ranging from interactive courses that encourage active participation to others that follow a more traditional lecture based format. One important aspect to be aware of is grading. In most courses, grades are curved and are adjusted to follow or partially follow a normal distribution. Students are generally very motivated and competitive, which raises the overall level. As a result, strong performance is required to achieve top grades. For example, in the Leadership Development Programme, only 30 percent of students were allowed to receive an A. Due to the curving system, students with just under 93 percent of the total points still ended up with a B+. This should not be underestimated when planning the semester and course load.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in Hong Kong is great. The MTR in particular is very reliable, affordable, and easy to use, making it convenient to get around the city. Overall, Hong Kong is a very safe place, both on and off campus. One important thing to mention is the large number of people commuting to HKU, especially during weekday peak hours in the mornings between 7 and 10 am and in the evenings between 5 and 7 pm. During these times, it can take around 10 to 15 minutes of queuing at the elevators to access or leave the campus, as the university is located on a hillside. There are many options for sports and leisure activities. Both the university and public facilities offer sports infrastructure, such as badminton courts or gyms. However, due to high demand, booking certain facilities can take weeks or even months, so planning ahead is recommended if you want to pursue a regular sport. In contrast, outdoor activities such as hiking and visiting beaches are always easily accessible and a great way to spend free time. Hong Kong offers numerous scenic hiking trails and beaches. HKU also has a wide range of student clubs and occasionally organizes events that exchange students can sign up for.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester at HKU in Hong Kong was a very enriching academic and personal experience. I took academically rigorous and engaging courses with dedicated and supportive professors and gained valuable insights in an international learning environment. Alongside my studies, I benefited from Hong Kong’s cultural and outdoor opportunities, which complemented my time at the university well.