Details

• China
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

I'd recommend booking your flights as soon as you get the start date from the university. I used Skyscanner to compare stopover options and got a really good deal by booking early. Also, check your passport and get a new one if it's close to expiring, since it needs to be valid for at least six months. I also got vaccinated before leaving, though I don't think it was mandatory.

2. Accommodation

I stayed in the student halls provided by the university, which I'd definitely recommend. The location is great, right next to an MTR station with easy access to Central, and only about a five-minute walk to campus. There's also a direct train to Shenzhen, which is perfect for weekend trips. The area feels very safe overall. The rooms aren't the biggest, but totally fine for an exchange semester.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus facilities at PolyU are solid, well-equipped classrooms and good study spaces. The teaching style is more direct compared to WU Vienna, with a stronger focus on practical application. Overall, the courses felt easier than what I was used to at WU. I'd recommend picking introduction to Marketing if possible, as they're very manageable and transfer back without issues.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in Hong Kong is excellent, the MTR gets you pretty much anywhere quickly and cheaply. The city is also very safe, even late at night. The student halls have a swimming pool, a gym, and training facilities, so staying active is easy. For nightlife, Mr. Wong and Peel Street are the go-to spots. I also got to see the LIV Golf Tour and the Rugby Sevens while I was there, which were great experiences. Cooking in the dorms isn't really an option, so you'll basically eat out every day.

6. Testimonial

Overall, it was a great experience and I'd definitely love to come back to Hong Kong at some point. The city's location in Asia is perfect for traveling , trips to Beijing and Seoul were big highlights and super easy to organize from there. I'd highly recommend PolyU to anyone looking for a memorable exchange semester.