Exchange Report

Before applying, it's worth thinking about what you actually want to get out of the exchange — if it's more about academics, pick your universities accordingly, and if you're more interested in experiencing a new culture and traveling, factor that in too. Either is valid, but knowing your priorities makes the choice a lot easier. Also, don't underestimate your grades in the first semester of the SCM — this is probably the most important factor and something you can't fix last minute, so it's worth keeping in mind from your very first semester. The letter of motivation matters too and you shouldn't write something generic, but strong grades are really what sets candidates apart given how competitive it is.

Accommodation in Hong Kong is expensive no matter which way you go about it. Your two main options are a student residence or a private place. Private apartments tend to be cheaper, but the tradeoff is that many of them don't have a kitchen, can be quite cramped or run-down, and finding one that is decent with an elevator is harder than you'd expect. I'd strongly recommend going with a student residence to avoid the hassle. I stayed at Weave Hung Hom, which was fine — it's safe and about 25 minutes from campus via subway (roughly 5 stops). That said, if I could do it again I would have chosen Weave Prince Edward instead. There are far more exchange students living there, which makes it much easier to meet people and settle in. It's also conveniently close to Mr. Wong's, a student pub you'll almost certainly hear about within your first week anyway.

The campus itself is a bit older, but it has a really lovely garden that makes up for it. Lectures were all frontal, which is quite different from what you're used to at WU. One thing to be aware of is that the level of English can be challenging at times — most students are from Mainland China and the accent takes some getting used to. That said, I ended up making some great Chinese friends through a group assignment and we even went out for dinner together, so don't let that put you off. Academically, the courses are generally easier than WU and in many ways felt like a repeat of first-year SCM content. This isn't necessarily a bad thing — it gives you a lot of free time and flexibility to actually explore Hong Kong and travel, which is where the real value of this exchange lies. That said, if you're going specifically for academic growth in SCM, City U probably won't blow you away. What's worth noting though is that Hong Kong is a massive logistics and freight hub, so if you have the opportunity, try to attend industry conferences or networking events outside of uni — that's where you'll get exposure you genuinely can't get back in Vienna. I personally attended the Logistics and Supply Chain Management Conference (LSCM) which takes place every October, and I'd highly recommend keeping an eye out for it if your exchange falls around that time.

I also received Auslandstudienbeihilfe.

Public transport in Hong Kong is genuinely impressive and unlike anything in Vienna. The subway is fast, frequent, and always on time, and navigating it with Google Maps is completely straightforward. On top of that, the city has double decker buses, minibuses, and the iconic double decker trams, which together make getting around both easy and fun. Buses don't really run on a fixed schedule due to constant traffic, but they're an authentic experience and worth taking at least a few times. Safety is not something you'll need to worry about. Hong Kong is one of the safest cities I've been to, and that goes for walking around alone at night as well — female students I spoke to felt equally comfortable, which says a lot. In terms of leisure, Hong Kong is a rare mix of a buzzing Asian metropolis and surprisingly accessible nature. Hills, hiking trails, beaches, and incredible architecture are all within reach, and one semester genuinely isn't enough to see everything — so prioritize the must-sees early on. Social life depends quite a bit on where you live. As an SCM student you won't be placed in the same residence as bachelor students, which makes it a bit harder to meet people organically compared to other exchanges. Most people end up finding their social circle through their dorm, so Weave Olympic is worth considering for that reason alone. The university also organizes events throughout the semester — definitely check those out, especially at the beginning. For sports, CityU lets you sign up for activities on campus for free. I played tennis there and it was great, and there's also a pool available on campus. Beyond that, the nature around the city opens up options like hiking and surfing, so there's really no excuse not to stay active.

Hong Kong is an incredible city that genuinely has it all — vibrant culture, stunning nature, and endless things to explore. The semester gave me a lot of freedom to travel, both within Hong Kong and across the region. The humidity until mid-October is something else entirely, so come prepared. My one honest challenge was that as an SCM student living off campus, it took more effort to find and connect with other exchange students — but once you do, it's well worth it.