Reflection on Exchange 2008

I am very glad that I can have the chance to join an exchange programme in Canada. This exchange programme is a wonderful lesson to me. I have tried things that I have never tried before. This is the first time that I lived independently in a foreign country for a long period. I learned how to take care of myself, as well as my buddies. I feel that I have become more mature, especially in self-growing and interpersonal relationship. Studying in a foreign university is also a valuable experience. The teaching and learning methods in Canada are so different when compare with Hong Kong. I can always free the relaxing atmosphere in the classroom. At the same time, the teachers encouraged me to self-learn and to discover what I am interested in. Gaining knowledge under no pressure is the happiest learning process.

Canada is a vast country. There are thousands of places for me to explore. I have been to the most famous cities in Canada during the semester break and after the semester. When I travelled in the French-speaking region of Canada, Quebec City & Montreal, I was stunned by the gorgeous European style architecture. The bicultural environment impressed me a lot. I went to Whitehorse, Northwest part of Canada, to see the Northern Light, which was so spectacular, and cannot be described with words. Whitehorse is a very tiny city, but it gave me something that is larger than life.

As an advance standing student, I know that I may have to defer my study if I go to this exchange programme. However, this exchange programme really widens my horizons. I think I made a right decision.

Li Hong Lim

I went to Chubu University in Nagoya, Japan during the second semester of Year two. I went to Japan for exchange because I am studying Japanese. Getting used to a country where gestures tell more than words is not easy. Even until now, I can not fully understand the subtle signals hidden in Japanese faces and body languages. The Japanese culture is very different from that in Hong Kong, it is one which refrains from being to apparent and encourages admiration of the nature. My stay here was a happy and fruitful one.
Apart from the ideal Japanese learning environment, I made many friends and went to many places in Japan. Here in Japan, I learned to separate the waste and save energy, things which altogether would improve our environment and the global climate.
As most would agree, a half-year exchange is merely enough to really know a country. If given a chance, I would like to go to Japan again for a longer time.

Doris Wong Yuen Yan

Many thanks to the Department of English so that I can have this wonderful chance to explore myself to a foreign country – Saint John, Canada. Although I was so well prepared for the winter situation of New Brunswick, I was surprised by the temperature and the snow storm. When I arrived, the temperature was only -28C. I thought I would be frozen when I got off the plane.

University of New Brunswick is situated in Saint John, where a friendly, peaceful and sparsely populated city. Students over there are very nice and helpful. They always gather in a party and spend the weekend together. Besides, I was so surprised that there are so many Chinese students studying and living in the city. I made lots of Canadian friends as well as Chinese friends. This made my English and Putonghua improved a lot, in particular the listening and speaking skills.

It is quite difficult to adapt to the environment when I first arrived. As I mentioned before, Saint John is a quiet city. It does not have a variety of entertainments like Hong Kong. Also, the living cost is so high over there. Partly because the government imposed a 13% tax on goods and services. This made me realize that why Hong Kong is a shopping paradise.

After two months, I was attacked by homesick. I missed my family so much during the Lunar New Year holiday. I missed the red pockets, the special food and the chance to visit relatives during the holiday. Yet, we also had a chance to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year with those Chinese students in Saint John.

Moreover, I visited many places during the semester break. I have visited Vancouver and Los Angeles in West Coast of North America in the mid term break; I also visited New York City after the examination. All these trips are so memorable for me. These trips broaden my horizon to the North America.

Again, thank you for offering me this great opportunity to enjoy this fruitful exchange period.

Kammi Liu

Although HK is an international city with the fusion of various cultures, I always wish to expose myself in another country and meet friends from different nations. The exchange programme provided by PolyU just fulfilled my wish! Unsurprisingly, I had to come across difficult times during the beginning of the exchange period, I have to get used to the unfamiliar living environment and study approach. Fortunately, I have met many international friends here and the local people are also nice and helpful. We have a wonderful time studying in the University of Southampton.

Southampton is a coastal city in UK which only takes 3 hours to travel to London. The University consists of 4 campuses and School of Humanity is located in the Avenue Campus. Although the campus is not the largest one, it is quiet and well-equipped with advance facilities. We all enjoy studying in this campus and the tutors are all very kind.

I am staying in Bencraft Court, one of the student halls, for the exchange period. Although it is close to the crematorium in Southampton, the place is nice with beautiful scenery. Meanwhile, it is convenient for us to get to the campus and shopping centre by the school shuttle bus. It saves us lots of time and we do appreciate that.

Southampton is not a crowded city in UK. Most of the people here are kind and patient to us. Apart from the local tutors and people, we met lots of international students in different courses, such as students from Spain, Germany, and Saudi Arabia etc. I hope that we can keep in touch even when we all return to our home countries and it is really a life experience to be able to join the exchange programme.

Tsim Pik Man, Jane

It has been an unforgettable experience going to Soton for half a year for study – well of course, not only study, but also knowing more about the world and making more friends. The study mode of England is slightly different from HK’s with fewer students in each class (even in lectures) and partly because of that, I became more active in class and by asking more questions, I learnt more.

I was lucky enough to have friendly and caring flatmates, schoolmates who lived with me. Seven of us had wonderful time with each other, celebrating the Valentine’s Day, the Pancake Day, Easter, etc. We care about each other everyday. We shared food, smiles and life experience.

Life in UK was not only about study. It was broader and bigger than that. We traveled a lot within the Kingdom and also far to Europe. We spent almost every weekend in other towns and small cities like Bath, Portsmouth, Oxford, etc. You name it; we’d been there! We saw beautiful rocks – Yes! Even rocks are beautiful in UK! We had also been to many giant cliffs and famous walkways which are all stunning.

Overall, my once-a-lifetime-experience in UK was valuable and unique. I would suggest every HK student to experience it and I know everyone’s experience would be unique and that is why exchange life is so special and unforgettable to everyone.

Kei Wing, Rosa