Details

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

1. Preparation

efore departing for my exchange semester in Hong Kong, I focused on organizing the key administrative and travel-related aspects to ensure a smooth arrival. I traveled by plane with Emirates, flying from Europe to Hong Kong with a layover in Dubai. Upon arrival, I shared an Uber with friends to the university campus, which took approximately 40 minutes and allowed us to settle in efficiently. The visa process was straightforward, as it was largely handled by the partner university; I only needed to provide the required documents in advance. In terms of university preparation, I found it useful to bring several passport photos, as they were required for multiple on-campus registrations, such as accommodation and access to facilities like the university gym. From a practical perspective, one important lesson was related to payment methods. I initially assumed that card payments would be accepted everywhere and therefore did not bring any cash. However, I would recommend future students to carry a small amount of cash for the first few days, as it can be useful in situations where card payments are not available or convenient.

2. Accommodation

During my exchange semester, accommodation was arranged directly by the university, and I was assigned to an on-campus residence. Although students were given the option to rank their preferences between different housing types, such as the International House (where most exchange students were placed) and various colleges, most WU students, regardless of their preferences, were assigned to Shaw College. Among local students, this college is generally considered one of the less desirable options, which made the allocation somewhat surprising. Shaw College is one of the older colleges on campus and is predominantly inhabited by local students. I was assigned a shared room with a full-time student, which turned out to be a positive experience, as we got along well. However, this aspect can be quite unpredictable, as some other exchange students were paired with roommates who did not speak English, making communication more difficult. In terms of location, the college is relatively far from the main academic buildings, and given the large size of the CUHK campus, this often required additional time for commuting within the university (there are shuttle buses operating around the whole campus). On the positive side, the residence offered good facilities, including a gym and one of the better canteens on campus. The cost was approximately €1,000 for the entire semester, which is relatively affordable considering Hong Kong’s overall high living costs. One practical recommendation for future students would be to bring basic items such as a pillow, as the rooms are provided without any personal equipment. Although there is an IKEA located near the university where such items can be purchased, it is more convenient to arrive prepared, especially for the first days after arrival.

3. Academic life at host university

One of the first aspects that stood out to me at CUHK was the size of the campus, which is significantly larger than WU and resembles a small city. The university offers extensive facilities, including multiple canteens and gyms (almost every college has its own) as well as a newly opened central gym equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. In addition, there is a swimming pool and several tennis and football fields, meaning that overall, the campus provides everything a student might need both academically and recreationally. Academically, I spent most of my time in the finance department, which is located in a newly built high-rise building, as well as in the central library, which is open 24/7 and offers an excellent study environment. Compared to WU, many buildings at CUHK are either newly constructed or currently being renovated, which contributes to a modern learning atmosphere despite the campus being geographically spread out. In terms of academic structure, one important difference is the grading system. Some courses are graded on a Gaussian curve, which makes achieving top grades more challenging, especially in combination with the typical exchange student lifestyle. Given that grades from exchange semesters are counted at WU, I would, in retrospect, consider choosing slightly less demanding courses. Many of the courses I selected were relatively quantitative, which further increased the workload and difficulty. At the same time, CUHK offers a wide range of highly interesting and practically relevant courses. I particularly benefited from courses such as Computerized Trading and Big Data and a Real Estate course, which provided valuable insights and practical applications. In addition, the university encourages participation in extracurricular academic activities, such as competitions—I took part in the Bloomberg Trading Challenge, which was a valuable hands-on experience. Compared to my studies at WU, I found that there were generally fewer continuous assignments, while exams were more centralized. Attendance requirements were similar to WU. Overall, the academic experience at CUHK was both challenging and rewarding, offering strong practical exposure.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in Hong Kong was one of the highlights of my exchange semester. Public transport, in particular, is extremely efficient, and I relied on the MTR on a daily basis, especially since CUHK is located relatively far from the city centre. I would strongly recommend obtaining a student Octopus card, as it significantly reduces transportation costs, with fares being approximately half the regular price. Hong Kong offers an exceptional range of social and leisure activities, making it an ideal destination for an exchange semester. There is always something to do, whether it is hiking, visiting beaches, or spending evenings in the city at rooftop bars. The city is highly international, with a large community of exchange students, which makes it easy to meet people and build connections. In addition, Hong Kong’s location provides excellent opportunities for travel within Asia. During my semester, I was able to visit several countries, including Japan, Taiwan, Macao, Vietnam, Cambodia, and mainland China. At the same time, the city itself offers more than enough to explore, from cultural sites to modern urban experiences. There are also many unique local activities that contribute to the overall experience. For example, we attended a rugby match and a football match between Hong Kong and Singapore, which provided insight into the local sports culture. Another very popular activity is attending horse races, with one of the racecourses located just a few MTR stops from CUHK. These events are also great opportunities to socialize with other exchange students and expats. One place worth mentioning is “Mr. Wong’s,” a well-known spot among exchange students, offering a very social atmosphere and affordable all-you-can-drink options, making it a frequent meeting point for the international student community. .

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester in Hong Kong was one of the most memorable and enjoyable experiences of my life. What made it truly special was the combination of people, place, and opportunities, the mix of exchange students and locals, many of whom I am still in contact with, created a unique and lasting network. Hong Kong offers an incredible balance between a vibrant city and access to nature, and I can honestly say I was never bored throughout the entire semester. Moments like celebrating Halloween and experiencing the city’s unique social atmosphere made the experience even more unforgettable. Combined with engaging courses, a great campus, and the opportunity to travel across Asia, this made my exchange a truly exceptional period of my studies.