 |
|
By Abby Zhao
"Berkeley is a place that makes you a better one." This is one of the quotes written on the wall of RSF (Recreational Sports Facilities, the most popular place on campus), right in front of a row of treadmills.
It is true. After a short stay of five months, I learned that you could always be a better one by challenging yourself and holding the belief that nothing is impossible.
Indeed, there is nothing impossible in Berkeley. Here you can see grannies pedaling furiously on a cycling machine, handicapped people exercising on the customized machines, Math geeks serving as forwards in the basketball team, muscle guys practicing salsa in the dancing room, philosophy major students also minoring in theater performance... Berkeley is really an amazing place for miracles.
I used to think that a good academic performance overpowers all other aspects, like maintaining a healthy lifestyle or doing community services. I didn't expect those because I was given a stereotype that I can only do one thing well at a time. When you pursue academic prominence, you have to sacrifice the time and energy used for the possibility for excellence in extracurricular activities. Actually it is only half right. We can always get involved in more than one area and still be an expert in each of them. In fact, they can even serve each other good.
To name one thing that is most valuable I learned in Berkeley, I would say it's the belief that you should always aim higher and never stop believing that you can be a better one.
|
|
University of Waterloo, Canada
|
 |
|
By Ann Wang
To be honest my trip was not easy at the very beginning. On the first day when the temperature was below -20 C, I fumbled my way through a biting-cold storm, wading through inches of snow, but could not find the building where I would have class. Sitting in the same classroom with native English-speaking students was no easier, especially when you are a student of the department of English. Every week, assignments and readings were just as heavy as the snow, which never seemed to stop.
I froze in the harsh Canadian winter and longed for the sunshine in Hong Kong, but my heart thawed from the warmth of local people, whose kindness nurtured my courage and confidence to combat difficulties. My neighbors provided me with loving and caring support, my professors tried their best to make sure that I could keep up with the class, and my friends who opened their hearts to me, simply on trust and faith.
I have so many great memories to highlight my exchange in Canada: skiing for the first time, studying cutting-edge knowledge with fantastic scholars from top institutions like MIT, and meeting new people who eventually become my second-family and life-long friends. I am soaking up all the experience, which was definitely unforgettable, enjoyable and worthwhile.
|
|
University of Southampton, UK
|
 |
|
A Challenging yet Rewarding Experience
by Stephanie Lam
What is an exchange programme? If you asked me a year ago, my answer would be “being removed from my comfort zone and placed in a foreign environment” without a doubt. Yet, if you ask me now, I can tell you an exchange programme definitely means much more than that.
In 2014 I spent five months participating in an exchange programme at the University of Southampton in the UK. Throughout those months, I realized that the exchange experience is not solely a challenge to me. It is also a rewarding and enjoyable experience that can teach me countless life lessons.
During exchange, not only did I need to cope with problems regarding my academic studies, but I also needed to face difficulties associated with everyday life. I had to take care of myself and solve problems without my parents’ aid. Hence, independence and maturity were built up when I was confronted with different kinds of obstacles. Though it was absolutely frightening at the beginning, I could feela sense of success easily when I accomplished something, even if it was very little. That feeling meant a lot to me as it encouraged me to carry on with my exchange life day by day.
Apart from my personal development, my understanding of different cultures and my global network of friends were also enhanced during my stay in Southampton. I was able to make friends with not only the locals, but also the exchange students from other countries. Sometimes as some of us were all exchange students, we might encounter similar problems. Very often, we helped each other out and it established trust and friendship. With more interaction, we learnt more about each other’s lives and cultures.
|
|
 |
|
My Exchange Experience
by Fiona Tong
Exploring foreign cultures
I am really grateful that I have got the chance to study abroad. Studying in the UK was an inspiring and unforgettable experience. The exchange programme enabled me to have a taste of the foreign cultures. Living in Hong Kong, life is always hectic. We seldom have time to stop and to appreciate the world. Studying abroad provided me the opportunities to slow down and to appreciate the spectacular sceneries around us. After this trip, I finally understand the true meaning of work-life balance.
Meeting people from various parts of the world
Apart from that, making friends and living with friends coming from different parts of the world were the highlights of the exchange experience. My shared house was quite international. We have got French, German and Chinese. We always had gatherings to share our own countries’ cuisines and cultures. We talked about everything including food, past-time activities, education and even politics. Working with students from different countries allowed me to explore different countries’ working style. I don’t believe Germans are that disciplined and punctual until worked with a German girl in a project. Being a debate partner of a French girl and a Spanish girl let me realize how serious the French and Spanish working attitudes are.
Studying in a different yet inspiring atmosphere
In addition, the University of Southampton has offered me a unique and valuable learning experience. I was impressed as the students were all well-prepared for the class. They actively engaged themselves in discussion sections and frequently asked the lecturers questions. That was totally different from the Hong Kong culture. At the same time, I was also stunned by the sample research papers. Not only were the lines beautifully written, but also their ideas were innovative and supported by dozens of other researches.
This exchange experience has brightened my university life and certainly broaden my horizons. I hope this programme can continue and keep on enriching other students’ life.
|
|
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE), Italy
|
 |
|
The friendly Italy
by Zoe Ngai
If you ask me what the best adjective to describe Italy is, the word friendly comes my mind. The friendliness of people allows us to expose to this country. The friendly teachers and shopkeepers and our lovely Italian friends add colour to our exchange life.
During lessons, instead of just teaching us, teachers will have a lot of interaction with students. The atmosphere in classroom is totally different. Students are very passionate in interacting with the teacher and classmates. The interaction allows us to enjoy the lesson and it also narrows down the distance between students and teacher.
In our free time, we made friends with local Italians and people from other countries.
Our accommodation in the dormitory allowed us to make friends with a lot of local Italians. Through chatting after dinner, preparation for Easter party, cooking in the kitchen, we were able to know more about each other. We introduced our city, our university and our culture to them while they told us their customs, their values and their traditions. We even had an international party with people from different countries preparing different featured cuisines. Thanks to their company and assistance, every single day we had in Italy was never boring.
Even shopkeepers in Italy are friendly. Though we could only use a few Italian words to express ourselves, the shopkeepers would always listen to us patiently, using gesture and a few English words to communicate.
Although time flies and we are back to Hong Kong already, my memories about everyone in this friendly nation will always stay with me.
|
|
|
|
|
Sono stato molto bene in Italia! ( I had a good time in Italy)
by Crystal Tsang
“Ciao! Come stai? Tutti bene?” is what I heard every day in Italy, which means “Hello! How are you? Everything’s alright?” Italy is a country full of passion and love. During the exchange period, I met many friends, mainly the locals. I learnt their language in order to communicate with them better and also to know their culture better. Surprisingly, they were also interested in Chinese, which amazed me.
This made me realize how an exchange experience should be. If we are used to stay in our own world and be reluctant to accept new ideas, it certainly prevents us from learning a different culture.
Not only did we learn from each other linguistically, we also appreciated one another’s food culture. Italians are proud of their food. In my own opinion, they could not live without pasta and coffee. They believe that sharing food with friends and family is one of the tips to make the dishes more delicious! They show kind hospitality whenever they served me coffee or wine after meals.
I had an unforgettable lunch with our friends from Italy, Spain and also Turkey. Each of us made a typical dish from our own city and we shared the food filled with love. After saying “buon apettito!” to everybody, we started our meal with joy and laughter.
I experienced a different life in Italy and this experience is inspiringl. I learnt how to enjoy life, how to appreciate each other more through staying in Italy.
|
|
 |
|
By Kathy Wong
“To learn and to apply” - exchange programmes do meet this motto of PolyU. Why do I say so? Because I attended the course “Intercultural communicative competence” and going abroad allowed me to be a part of intercultural communication as well.
In Italy, I was enrolled in a translation course. This was something new as quite a number of western literary texts were introduced to me. One challenge is taking part in oral exams because they are not simply testing on your speaking skills but also your understanding of the course books. Timely responses were expected. What a different learning! Some of the classmates stayed in the same student residence with us. We always chatted and they taught us Italian as well. During Easter, we held a food party as the locals did Italian delicacies at the same time we prepared spring rolls for them.
During the break between the exams, I traveled with friends around Italy and in Europe. Later, I travelled around the UK, including Ireland, on my own. I met a lot of travelers that inspired me. They are girls who were going on a graduation trip or backpackers like me. In the past, I used to question myself, hesitate and usually I would say no. So many chances had slipped away. This experience somehow sparked a change. My family and friends are happy to see me becoming a more active person to go after my dreams.
Friendship is the most precious souvenir from this exchange experience. Thanks to our friends in the student residence, our classmates and Erasmus students for helping us to adapt to a new environment.
|
|
University of Seville, Spain
|
 |
|
Exchange for life
by Jeannette Chan
The exchange experience was beyond my expectations. You could think itit would simply be studying in a different school and travelling to different countries. But it was far more than that. It changes your life in ways never imagined before.. It makes you grow, makes you improve, and teaches you to share. You view life differently now, you see the world differently now. It is once in a lifetime chance for you to see this world through different lenses at this age as the change in your mind and soul goes with you for life.
Not only people you meet or the places you have been, but the time you spend with yourself in a different country makes you a better person. That is the change you will experience in your life.
|
|
University of Twente, The Netherlands
|
 |
|
Once in a lifetime
by Esther Fong
Going on exchange has undoubtedly enriched my experience. It is something you need to experience yourself and to live it until you truly know how it feels and how it changes your life. For my exchange studies, I went to the University of Twente in the Netherlands during Semester 1, 2014/2015. At first I was not so sure if I could adapt to the learning environment or if I could meet l the study criteria there, knowing there is always a brand new standard on academic studies and other aspects according to different places and Universities. However, as soon as I realised the most important thing about exchange study is not living up to the standards of other places but to enjoy every interaction with different people and learn from it. I was delighted just to go to school because meeting and chatting with the locals and other exchange students gave me knowledge that I could perhaps never learn from books. For example, Dutch students love having their opinions over everything. They voice their comments out on the studies, and I appreciate their honesty and straight-to-the-point style. They are also efficient with group meetings and contribute with creative ideas. The one thing I learnt the most is to be critical and to question – that is the only way you can learn and absorb knowledge: by questioning. I am grateful that an open environment which welcomes all kinds of opinions was provided for me during my exchange.
|
|
University of New South Wales, Australia
|
 |
|
Embarking new life
By Suki Koon
My 111 days of exchange to Australia UNSW is like three months in utopia searching for my true self and meeting the finest people around the world. Everything I've done have added values to who I am now, learning from tiny things like cooking, google-mapping the transport in a complete new place to chatting with other international students.. and eventually jump out of the box to remind yourself the future is limitless.
There are three things that made me so grateful for the chance to go Australia. First of all, widening my academic knowledge. Since I could choose among all the Art subjects in UNSW, I finally chose European History and International Relations. I have never seen people so actively speak up their minds across the classrooms for intellectual exchange in tutorials. Amazed by their attitude, I eventually could also speak up in class and share my thoughts during classes.
Secondly, work experience. I was lucky to enroll in an UNSW Internship program from February to June, stationed in the heart of the business area of Sydney as a Marketing Intern in a four-people marketing team. Two of the interns were master’s students from Italy and Korea and I could learn researching, critical thinking and design skills from their work. Moreover, I could also participate in decision making and voicing opinions during meetings.
Thirdly, I AM OVERWHELMED BY THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF AUSTRALIA. After traveling to Alice Springs, Tasmania, Melbourne, I was completely falling in love with the chill natural areas of this country. I have seen the galaxy in Uluru, climb the Kings Canyon, visited 12 Apostles and met new travelling mates along the way. All these are still fresh in my memory and everyday I wish to go back.
Finally, I want to express my deepest gratitude to PolyU for this one unique chance in a lifetime!
|
|
 |
|
A wondrous place for you and me :)
By Wendy Lu
Going on an exchange was the best decision that I have ever made in my life.
Sydney is a place full of surprises, passionate people, amazing food, and of course astonishing scenic views and wildlife animals.
Lectures and tutorials in UNSW are quite different from those in Hong Kong. Aussies value interaction much more, encouraging students to speak up their minds. That is why most tutorials require us to do the readings beforehand to discuss and raise questions on relevant matters in class. I personally think this is a very good practice.
New Town is so far my favorite town in Sydney. It is located near The University of Sydney. I have been to New Town for 5 times, which is quite a lot for an exchange student who only stays in Sydney for around 4 months.
New Town is a beautiful town, with creative artists, colorful graffiti, countless antique shops and cafe, and most importantly, it sells the most incredibly delicious cake in the world – Strawberry Watermelon Cake with Rose Scented Cream.
|
 |
|
 |
|
No Worries in Aus
By Fiona Yip
“No worries, mate!”—This is the 1st sentence I heard in Aus. Indeed, there is nothing to worry about when you stay in Aus, because everything is simply fantastic and fabulous!
1. Chance of meeting international people
Australia is one of the most multi-racial countries in the world. During my five-month stay in Aus, I lived at the UNSW Hall, where I’ve met and made friends with lots of people from all over the world, eg. Denmark, Sweden, France, USA, Spain, Japan, Korea, etc., let alone our motherland China! As an ESP student, it’s definitely a great opportunity for sharpening language proficiency and deepening intercultural experience during the global exposure. Also, many of us have become lifelong friends afterwards and I sincerely hope that the bonds of our friendship could grow strong as the time goes on.
2. Chance of embracing pure nature
During my five-month exchange, I’ve travelled quite a lot around Aus and NZ. There are many world’s renowned natural environment and spectacular landscapes which are surely on everyone’s bucket list. I’ll never forget all the stunning scenery I saw: the white sand and clear blue water in Surfers Paradise in Gold Coast; the blue-hazed cloud and golden sandstones in Blue Mountain in Sydney; the snow-capped mountains and beautiful lakes in Cradle Mountain in Tasmania; as well as the endless plains and deep canyons in Ayers Rocks in Uluru. The most impressive scenery I saw was the views from the helicopter when I travelled in NZ. The scenic flight offered me a lifetime experience of appreciating the magnificent views of Queenstown from the air. I could still feel the tentacles of excitement when I recall those beautiful memories.
Australia is really a nice place where you don’t need to worry about anything but to enjoy life. So, no worries, mate! Go and experience it in Aus :]
|
|
Kansai Gaidai University, Japan
|
 |
|
Flower, Bird, Wind, Moon
By Jenny Chan
Japan may be a common tourist destination, but living and studying there is very different from travelling. I found it essential to speak the language while living there. Unlike my non-Asian schoolmates, I was usually expected to behave like a local. This challenge was extremely rewarding for my language proficiency, interpersonal and intercultural competence. I was often shown to immense kindness when the local people found that I could speak their language, or pretend to. Moreover, Japan is a country where one can connect with nature and wildlife easily. I strongly recommende students who go there to try ‘wwoof’ – Worldwide Opportunity on Organic Farms.
This exchange experience has also been a turning point for me. Much like a rehabilitated criminal, I was offered to start anew in a place where no one knews me. One interesting phenomenon is that there are people who opt to stay with people from the same culture, and people who do the opposite. It is particularly interesting to see how people resist or confer to a certain culture when surrounded by it, be it Japanese or American culture. I am no neutral, unaffected observant myself. Only through throwing away borders and calibrations from one own’s culture can one truly befriend with each other.
|
|
 |
|
Meeting friends from all around the world – Kansai Gaidai University
By Elaine Cheng
My exchange journey at Kansai Gaidai University (KGU) is definitely a rewarding experience of a lifetime. It might sound a bit strange for me, a student majoring in English studies, to go for an exchange in Japan. During my 4-month stay at KGU, I found it was a perfect destination for exchange for an English major student. Being admitted to the Asian Studies Program at KGU, I had the opportunity to have lessons with international students from over 20 countries like the U.S.A, Canada, Singapore, Thailand, and Sweden. At KGU, every student used English in class and for daily conversation. I got a lot of chances to speak in English in daily settings. The use of English on a daily basis helps to enhance my English proficiency, especially the oral skills.
What I have benefited most from exchange at KGU is the development of friendship through international exposure. I have made some really awesome friends from Thailand, Singapore, the U.S.A, Canada and Japan. We shared snacks from our countries and explored Kansai area together. They all added joy to my exchange journey.
Even though I was not a lover of Japanese culture, KGU would still be a great institution for exchange simply because it provides every student with a great global exposure. If I had a chance to choose a destination for exchange again, I would pick KGU again without hesitation.
|
|
Kyung Hee University, South Korea
|
 |
|
Experiencing a Different World
By La Aung
The exchange program that I participated in the Republic of Korea in Semester 1 of 2014/15 academic year was a fruitful adventure in terms of academic, cultural and social aspects.
As the nature of exchange program, students were not restricted to taking the courses offered by a single department. Thus, I had the opportunity to expose myself to courses from other disciplines which were very new to me. It was a highly fruitful and meaningful experience to study the courses from different departments. This experience widens my scope of knowledge and helps me view the world from a different perspective.
A very dynamic Korean culture is also one large aspect that I experienced and learned about during my exchange program. Regardless of its booming music industry in a highly globalized city, Korean culture is a mixture of old-but-highly-valued Confucian and modern values. Thus, despite coming from a slightly conservative country, I could still learn and appreciate the values of the modern-but-hierarchical society of Korean people.
Outside the classroom, I had the opportunity to mingle with a large group of international exchange students. It offered me the opportunity to exchange cultural values among ourselves and build network with one another to expand our global network. And the cultural values we shared among us and learned from one another are unforgettable exchange experiences which will last for so many years.
Therefore, through the exchange program we benefit in terms of academic values, social network enlargement and cultural values.
|
