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Photo: We, Together, Lift the World.
GO BEARS!
By Amy Xu
I spent a fulfilling semester at the University of California Berkeley (Cal for short), situated at the San Francisco Bay area. I love the SUNSHINE there—not only the charming weather I am referring to, but also the smiling and enlightening friends I made.
During the exchange I never felt lonely although I was the only exchange student from PolyU. It was more like a brand-new start for me—a completely fresh environment, geographically and interpersonally. I made friends in classes, during the meals, even when I got lost. Here, I would like to share two of my most crucial groups of friends at Cal.
iHouse Mates
I lived in the International House (iHouse), a strikingly multicultural community where resides nearly 600 students and scholars from more than 70 countries. On the first day upon my arrival, my roommate and floor mates warmly welcomed me and invited me to join their lunch and dinner. Later on, they took me to a bike ride on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
I love the large dinning hall and the Great hall in ihouse because I know most of the ihouse mates who come from different parts of the world there thanks to the “dining hall social” and weekly “coffee hour”. The dining culture in iHouse is absolutely amazing. You can always join a random table with a group of people you do not know at all and you will become friends after the meal. Inevitably, the average time spent in the dining hall increased tremendously since I came to iHouse. Intercultural communication frequently takes place in ihouse, along with various activities and events featuring diversity, peace, and harmony. The following photo shows that I wore a Chinese Qipao attending an event with my house mates.
Study Mates
One of the indispensable parts in my rewarding academic experience is after-class group discussion. I had a fixed study group, consisting of 7 students from the United States, China, Germany, Chile, etc. Every Friday afternoon we gathered at a café, a patio, or even a rooftop. I really appreciate such a study group with diverse cultural backgrounds and enjoy the time with them. Everyone in the group was extremely thoughtful towards the questions, and our discussion produces the synergy effect. We did have disagreement and overtalk. However, we consolidated what we had learnt by this way. I truly understood the concept of “cooperative learning” through this semester because a large portion of my gains benefited from my study mates including their unique insights and the ways of expressing.
Apart from the two groups that I have introduced, I had my basketball group, music performance group, Intercultural leadership group etc. My exchange life would not be rife with countless unforgettable memories without them. Though I have left Berkeley, I will keep encouraging myself with the Cal slogan “Go bears” to face challenges and pursue dreams!
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North Carolina State University, United States
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A Journey To Yourself
By Leona Keung
NCSU felt like a second home to me right from my arrival, with the familiar redbrick buildings all around campus. Surrounding the buildings in winter there was beautiful snow and, in spring, fresh-cut grass and blossoming flowers. It was a calm yet dynamic campus, full of life with students and teachers alike interweaving the campus vibe. Everything around felt so calm and comforting, I was sure my studies would be fairly easy-going. I could not have been more wrong…
The teaching style at NCSU was completely different. We had discussions about readings in place of lectures, students were expected to be active in class, and every day I was assigned lots of readings and after-class assignments. I felt incredibly stressed at the beginning. Gradually, though, I grew used to this learning style and started to appreciate the way the schedule was pushing me to learn. I could tell that I was progressing and, when it came to examinations, revision became easier. Sometimes, I would apply what I had learned to daily conversations without noticing it, that is, I really was taking it to my heart. It was at NCSU that I grew great enthusiasm for what I was studying and found out that English really was my passion.
I have met a lot of amazing people during my exchange and travels to nearby cities. I learned a great deal about different cultures. All the different cultures I got in touch with have opened my eyes to the world, and led me to realise the unique culture of Hong Kong.
This entire experience brought me closer to myself; it changed many of my perspectives on life. It helped me realise my true passion in life through my studies. The entwining characteristics of Raleigh changed my lifestyle completely, too; I walk more softly and more slowly now, taking notice of the minute beauties of life, letting the city vibe travel through me, learning about every city as it is. Every step of this journey is a step closer to myself. I found myself, there, lingering in NCSU, Raleigh.
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University of Southampton, UK
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By Jimmy Ho
Being able to participate in the exchange programme at the University of Southampton is one of the greatest overseas experiences I have ever had. What makes this exchange programme remarkable is that one can be immersed in another culture markedly different from that of Hong Kong and interact with people of a huge variety of background. The United Kingdom is a multicultural society where you can meet people from all over the world and the University of Southampton is no exception. Teachers and students come from all parts of the globe. One can exchange views with people from coming different cultures and I am particularly amazed by how they interpret issues differently.
A profound example of this was when I took a course about the European Union and European Identity, the professor would always present materials about the EU and encourage discussion among students. The discussions were full of diverse views because we have a staggering variety of students coming from different parts of Europe, and Asia (as my fellow schoolmates at PolyU and I enrolled in the course). Sometimes they would even change into fierce debates between classmates and even the professor! Such active participation in class was indeed not only present in this particular course but also in other courses that I have registered. This was quite different from the lesson culture in Hong Kong. At the same time, students in the UK were very responsive to the teacher’s question and they would also raise questions very frequently to the teachers – another eye-opening experience for me.
Some of my friends would think that studying abroad would be boring as there would not be much entertainment available in foreign countries. But outside school, my life was not dull at all. I was able to talk with my flatmates at the halls of residence, and also hang out with some of the new friends I met in Southampton. Another good thing about Southampton is that it has a relatively large Hong Kong community, so you can meet some new Hong Kong friends if you are lucky. There are also plenty of Chinese restaurants. My homesickness can indeed be healed quite easily! In Southampton, you are always exposed to an English-speaking multicultural society, but strangely, you would sometimes also feel a little bit at home!
Overall, my exchange in University of Southampton has been a fabulous and rewarding experience. This exchange has certainly enriched my university life. I would like to thank the Department of English of granting me the chance to broaden my horizon and polish my English through this exchange. I sincerely hope that more generations of students can be benefitted from this exchange programme in the future!
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By Rebecca Tam
During the academic exchange in The University of Southampton, I had great courses and the environment and atmosphere were very nice. This exchange has given me a lot of unforgettable moments and living overseas was enriching and fulfilling. This is definitely the decision to be made in university life.
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By Yuki Choi
Reasons why you should join the departmental exchange programme, to EUROPE!:
- The school is basically subsidizing you for half of your trip. So if you try to save money like your mother doing grocery shopping, going on foreign exchange doesn't cost you much.
- You’ll meet a lot of people. Some cool, some weird, some old, some young, some nice, some obnoxious and some really crazy people.
- You’ll redefine the idea of YOUTH and FREEDOM.
- You’ll know yourself better. How mature you can be, or how childish you can be; how smart you are, or how dumb you actually are.
- There are a lot of tempting moments, but you’ll learn how to control yourself.
- You’ll realize how small you are in this big world. And you’ll be hungry for more.
- You are going to start your around the world trip. LITERALLY.
I know it's a giant cliché saying it, but for me, going on exchange in the UK is seriously life-changing.
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University of Jaen, Spain
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Invaluable experience
By William Chan
I am really happy to have this invaluable opportunity to experience something really different. This exchange programme has offered me not only the opportunity to study in Spain for a semester but to experience cultures and lifestyles far different from what I am familiar, which has broadened my horizons and is no doubt a once in a lifetime experience. By staying there for almost half a year, you can have a quite thorough understanding on the local life and culture and meet different people, not only locals but exchange students from all different cultures and backgrounds, in which you would discover and appreciate the diversity of lives around the world. Most likely you will come across things you never expect, sometimes even things you can’t really accept or agree. Sometimes things don’t go as expected, but if you are looking for new challenges and experiences, this exchange programme is definitely not a chance to miss.
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Once-in-a-life Experience
By Lucia Huang
Talking about my exchange experience, it would definitely be one of the most unforgettable memories in my life. I would always remember the friendly people I met in Spain, the ambrosial food I tasted in all the places I have been, the fascinating sceneries that amazed me when traveling, and the inspiring academic atmosphere that encouraged me.
Actually not everything was easy when I first arrived in Jaen, such a small dot on the map of Spain. The local people can hardly speak any English, which was a huge obstacle of communication, therefore all the basic needs such as lodging and phone card, were in urgent need. Fortunately I got the help from many other international students there, and the local people also tried their best to communicate with me. I got to know many exchange students and we helped a lot with each other, and communicating with the local people provided me with a great opportunity to improve my Spanish. Very soon, I was adapted to my new life and got a taste of the Spanish culture. Being away from home makes me stronger and more independent, and the passionate Flamingo, refreshing Sangria and peaceful life of the small town in Jaen made me feel grateful that I got this chance to come to Spain.
Apart from enjoying the sunshine and wine in Spain, I also found the study atmosphere in the University of Jaen was impressively inspiring. The professors were very knowledgeable and the students were very well-prepared in class. The interactions in the classroom were very active, illuminating and fruitful, which is quite different from the classes in Hong Kong.
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University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE), Italy
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By Katrina Chan
Time flies and it has come to my final year eventually. Among my wish list in my 4-years of uni life, exchange has always been one of my top priorities. Thanks to my department, I was fortunately given a precious opportunity to join an exchange programme in UNIMORE, Italy. One semester spent there was not long, yet it altered my perspectives completely and my horizon was much broadened for every little thing I've seen I've experienced in such a beautiful country.
Academically, my exchange semester was far too different from the HK's, from the learning environment, teaching method, to students’ attitude. I considered it as a challenge because to get adapted to such a new style requires courage. But every challenge is an opportunity, the challenges always make us grow and understand yourself better each time. Apart from school life, the people I've met and everything that happened in Italy will always remain in my mind. "If you never try, you never know". I was much inspired in different ways after my exchange in Italy.
Because of the participation in the exchange programme, I've redefined myself and explored a new me. It's impossible to conclude such unique journey in a few words, you gotta experience it on your own.
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University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
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Hyggeling in Denmark
By Stephanie Lau
Hyggeling is a Danish word that means cozy. Through a half-year life in Denmark, I experienced the Scandinavian cultures profoundly. Not only did I get involved in the local life style, but also attend lessons related to Scandinavian happiness and its social welfare system. I understood that work-life balance is the key characteristic of Danish culture, and happiness in Denmark is simply based on their high life satisfaction and security from the welfare state.
My exchange journey in Denmark is incredibly fruitful and provided me with a lot of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Although it seems an old cliché, I still want to express that these experiences really broaden my horizon and boost me to become a globalized person. During my exchange journey, I travelled to eleven European countries and met people from all walks of life. The countries I visited include Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, England, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, Austria and Greece. Each country does possess its own characteristics and culture.
In fact, my motivation for joining the exchange programme was to step out of my comfort zone and go exploring an entire new culture. Therefore, I chose Denmark as my exchange destination. Scandinavian culture is an extraordinary culture for me as it is far away from Hong Kong. After completing the exchange programme, I realized that I indeed grew a lot, developing a more mature and extrovert personality. I made friends with a lot of international students. We not only shared our own cultures with each other, but also established a precious friendship.
Never ever had I imagined that I could grasp a chance to study abroad in Denmark. From January to July 2015, I was being an International Exchange student in the University of Southern Denmark (SDU). I am so glad that my dream did come true, at last!.
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Community Life in a Little Town in Denmark
By Heidi Tse
Given that not a lot of typical urban entertainments, such as window-shopping in large shopping malls and karaoke were available in Odense the small town I stayed in, I chose to join more community activities to interact with the locals.
On the orientation day for exchange students, I realized there was a student-initiated organization called Erasmus Student Network (ESN). Therefore, I later participated in some of the activities it held. For example, the Lapland Express trip was a chance for me to visit Swedish Lapland and Norway at a relatively low cost and experience extreme coldness at the very north of the earth.
It is the Danish policy that all immigrants in Denmark have to pass a basic level of Danish literacy. The government provides the free courses for new arrivals. Therefore, I attended regular Danish classes. The service provider is called “Lære dansk”. During the lessons, we were constantly asked to practice orally by walking around the classroom to use the sentences to people from different tables. This is very interactive and like the oral examination, again, requires our spontaneous responses.
Thanks to Lære dansk, I was later being invited to join a local festival – the Fairytale Marathon – on the Danish National Day. The event I enrolled was a 10km walk. Representing the organization, I was given a chance to join it freely. The racing track was within Odense, passing numerous Danish houses and part of the rural area. Unlike the marathons in Hong Kong, this marathon is a more relaxing and pleasant run.
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University of New South Wales, Australia
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YU Yijia Laura
Abundant resources: As one of the top universities in the world, UNSW offered me surprisingly many opportunities and insights both in academic and career lives. Our studies are highly linked to practical use in reputable corporations and their precious evaluations on us marked my growth. I am also lucky enough to enter the advertising competition held by Ogilvy and Mather to pitch for a world-famous shopping center’s anniversary PR event. Thanks to exchange, I got chance to see possibilities in myself.
Unique culture: Australia is a very well-developed country graced with affluent nature resources. Distinguished from other countries, Aussie history is filled up with indigenous culture and their tight bound with nature. This indeed makes Australia a pretty “boring” continent. Nevertheless, every single creature here can concentrate on living his life to the fullest. Everything is peaceful and relaxing in the Oceania, while I believe there must be great strength in the inner side.
Spectacular scenery: It is said that the god has put all most pure colors in this country and any additional description will gild the lily. And there is agreement among all our travel mates: if there is a heaven, it must be Australia.
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Seoul National University, South Korea
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An Eye-Opening Journey
By Chan Chun Ho
Experiencing cultural shock, encountering communication barriers and living in an unfamiliar environment have made me become a stronger, more confident and more refined version of myself. When I first arrived at Korea, it was not easy for me to adapt to life there because of the freezing weather and my limited knowledge about the Korean language. However, the friendly attitude of my local suitemates and other exchange students had dispelled all my insecurity and discomfort. In South Korea, I have experienced many of my first time: first time to enter a pub to learn about the drinking culture in Korea, first time to see cherry blossoms, and first time to spend a night in jjimjilbang.
Through the exchange program, I have also made friends from all around the world, which enhanced my communication skills and broadened my social circle. The most memorable moment I had in Korea is the time when I was attending Korean classes. People with distinct cultural backgrounds were gathered together to learn a foreign language. As a result, we have made a lot of hilarious jokes, we have learnt about different customs and we have all become friends. I would say the time in Korea and Seoul National University is the greatest time I have had in my life so far.
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University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, China
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Xiaxianong
By Lam Ka Hei
Xiaxianong is the first Shanghainese word I’ve learnt in Shanghai – it means Thank you. Shanghai is a place that gathers different people from China and from all over the world as well. In the university, you can meet friends from Xinjiang, Mongolia, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, Germany, Italy, etc. You can hang out with other exchange students or your roommate at weekends. Not only do the foreigners feel curious about HK but also the Chinese! Many of my Chinese friends think that HK people only have English names!
If you still wish to meet more friends, I would highly recommend you to travel around China alone. Some may say it is dangerous travelling alone but I would say it is worth doing so. I met friends when visiting The Great Wall in Beijing and later I stayed in her dormitory for five days when I visited Zhengzhou. I met friends when I chose to stay in the youth hostel in Nanjing and later I even stayed in her home for four days when I visited Ningbo. Such experience is absolutely a precious memory in my lifetime.
Learning to be independent and flexible, accepting challenges, breaking my limits, meeting new friends and so forth are the invaluable gifts I could ever receive in this unforgettable journey. Shanghai, Xiaxianong!
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