7 reasons to study abroad in Hong Kong

By Fiona Murray On February 21, 2009 · 15 Comments

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When I was offered a study abroad opportunity in Hong Kong, I could only imagine myself sitting in a library studying, trying to escape pollution and lethal traffic.

Studying abroad in Hong Kong taught me that our assumptions about foreign cities are usually wrong — and that they can be changed by spending time letting the city change you.

Deciding to study somewhere you never imagined visiting, let alone living, is the beginning of an adventure. Here are seven reasons why I recommend studying abroad in Hong Kong:

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1. It’s not what it seems.

The typical image of Hong Kong is one of endless skyscrapers and fast paced madness. Guidebooks focus on shopping malls and high class restaurants. But this is only a small part of the picture.

As a resident, it’s possible to explore the other side – backstreets full of charismatic and grimy noodle shops and smoky Daoist temples. The ordinary side of Hong Kong is far more interesting.

2. When else can you afford to live there?

It’s hard to afford housing in Hong Kong unless you’re working a high paying job. Even backpacker hostels are more expensive that those in nearby Asian countries. But here’s a secret: Many of the university’s student halls are extremely cheap, providing accommodation in prime real estate locations.

3. Hong Kong has some of the best food in the world.

It’s worth leaving home just to explore the wonderful world of Cantonese cuisine.

Photo by tiltti

Cheap yet quality food and the abundant free time of a student’s schedule is a delicious combination – the perfect opportunity to spend a good portion of your week in the boggling number of dim sum restaurants!

4. Hong Kong has plenty of outdoor adventures.

Believe it or not, 70% of Hong Kong is actually covered by national parks. Public transport provides easy access to spectacular spots for hiking, cycling, and rock climbing. Travel outside the city to get a glimpse of more traditional lifestyles, eat some freshly caught fish, and join an army of old ladies for Tai Chi.

5. Hong Kong’s the gateway to mainland China.

China is just a short train ride away; from there, the options are immense.

6. Learn Mandarin or improve your English.

While Cantonese is the local language, there are many opportunities to learn Mandarin. Meanwhile, the other official language of Hong Kong is English, making it a convenient destination for many international students.

Photo by *Solar ikon*

7. Hong Kong students know how to have fun.

Whether it’s karaoke, hiking, or just hours spent at a hot-pot restaurant with friends, you are sure to be whisked away to some mystery adventure at any hour of the day or night by a hospitable classmate. Just accept all invitations and you’re sure to have a good, if not slightly bizarre, time.

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Thinking of studying abroad in China, whether in Hong Kong or on the mainland? Check out David DeFranza’s detailed guide, Where in China Should I Study Abroad?

About The Author

Fiona Murray

Fiona Murray divides her time between growing chilies, climbing rocks and eventually finishing a social work degree. She has lived in the UK and Hong Kong, and is passionate about travelling in Asia. Her favourite travel destination is Bribie Island, off the coast of Queensland.

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soulglider

Hong Kong is amazing! These are some great comments, and i totally agree that otherwise it's just too expensive to live there. I'd like to add a couple of things. 1) Experience fusion culture: A mix of Asian and Western culture that you can't see anywhere else. 2) Never a dull moment: Not only the students know how to have fun, but also the city never sleeps. There are always a million things to do throughout the city. I don't think you'll be learning much Mandarin though while in Hong Kong. I lived there myself before and I have many friends who studied abroad there – the only mandarin you'll be learning is in class out of a text book. ———- Check out my blog @ ” target=”_blank”>http://www.beyondbounds.org
Valerie

I really wish I'd had the chance to live in Hong Kong as a student. I visited a couple of years out of college and that was the first time I got to know my parents' childhood home, which they never properly visited after they'd left. A lot of people deride Hong Kong for its relative lack of sites and culture but it really is a great place for all the reasons you listed above. I'd also second soulglider's comment that you won't pick up Mandarin in Hong Kong.
Fiona Murray

i agree about the mandarin – alot of people i knew were studying it at uni. it's hard to get used to a slower pace after living in hk eh – my bed time went from 9pm to 4am!
TrIstanbul

Yeah, I once again agree on the Mandarin commment. I did an exchange semester in Hong Kong last fall, and Mandarin was only useful on trips to the mainland (although I found it EXTREMELY useful there). In Hong Kong, even with the presence of so many folks who know Mandarin, they’d much rather practice English with you than Mandarin.

Anyway, Hong Kong does have a lot of attractions, and the fact that rent for a student dormitory came out to about $200 per month was absolutely amazing (that’s 1/4 of the price of a regular flat there, easily). Still, it’s a city for expats: people who are more interested in chasing foreign women and simply being away from home and their responsibilities, rather than people seeking to build their character through learning more about another culture. I’m from a rural part of the US, and to be completely honest Hong Kong was more Westernized than my hometown!
Ryan

Which university did you attend? I have been living in Thailand for the past year but I’d like to pursue my Master’s in or around China. I’d love to learn more about the educational oportunities here…do you have any links to follow? Jeez…you’ve got me all wound up now!
Anthony

Hi all,

I was researching around the net to gather info about studying in HK and I found this blog. I think my post here will be a lil late, but just wanna gather more opinions.

I have hearing more negative comments than postive ones about studying in HK. Many advised me NOT to go HK to study because:
1) The culture there is not really good.
2) The cost of living there is SUPER high.
3) The air is very polluted
4) General public doesn’t really recognised undergrad degree from HK
5) English would go down the drain
6) Too stressful as competition is very strong

But, I’ve also gathered some positive points other than what were mentioned above.
1) HK is a financial hub and many corporate would have ties with the universities in HK.
2) Would be a good place to study if one wants to development career in Asia.

Alright, all these are just opinions that I gathered from others but it doesn’t mean that I agree to them simply because i don’t know the fact.

So, I hope someone who had studied in HK tell me the truth and be frank. I just wanna to know what and how my life and future would be if I study in HK. Please be frank and honest.

FYI, I received admission offer from HKU.

Thank you for your assistance.

Blessings,
Anthony

Erik

Hi anthony,

I am very impress that you actually mention must of both good and bad REAL facts of studying in HK. I’ve been studying here for 2 years already and I should say that (in my opinion) this is not a good place for studying.
It was the worst decision of my life. I know that is sad. But honestly, I do not feel regrets, because after all this time I have been learning a lot in many aspects.
I really love HK, but I do not like the education system at all. The students are not allow to think critically, there are no space for new ideas. And the students already know that, so they never participate in class, they just know how to follow (over-defined) instructions and memorize everything.
The english level is quite disappointing. (even the professor’s). I am not english native speaker, so I was expecting to improve it along the way, but that is not happening. Most of the time my classmates speak cantonese and since my programme is full time, I got no much free time to go out and socialize with foreigners.
I also wanted to learn Mandarin, but actually almost nobody want to use it in HK. So its almost as learning it anywhere else. Although you can learn cantonese, it may not be as useful as mandarin (unless you decided to reside and work in HK).

Anyways, I hope you get the idea of my experience in HK. If I can help you with something, just let me know.

Good luck!

Erik

Tatiana

Hello everyone,
i want to study photography abroad( i am a citizen of Russia) and came across this topic.
By any chance could anyone tell me about some universities/colleges of photography in HK in English?
Thank you very much in advance!

http://www.scad.edu Vlad

Check out SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design); it offers both Bachelor’s and Master’s U.S. degrees in it’s new Hong Kong campus. Scholarships are also available.

You can watch a brief overview video of SCAD at our YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/aboutscad

Best of luck!
‘V

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http://www.hanseldobbs.com Hansel Dobbs

I studied abroad at Hong Kong Baptist University in Spring of 2000. I got to see the New Year 2000 there and all the fireworks. What an amazing city full of experiences in such a small area. I put Hong Kong right up there with New York in terms of overall experiential cities. The sites, sounds, smells, and energy is incredible.
James

Have any undergraduate business students gone to hong kong for study abroad?
I plan on studying abroad in hong kong in the next year or so. I’m an accounting major and I want to take as much advantage of the opportunity as i possibly can. What are beneficial things I can do in hong kong in terms of a undergraduate business student. I want to network and capitalize on the experience as much as i can. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY ADVICE? Like business seminars, IFRS classes, professional lectures, etc
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Winnie

sites/articles like these make me happy!
Wow, I visited hongkong 2 years ago and the energy was amazing! I wish I could have the opportunity to study there, but I guess having a Canadian degree is more recognized… so I’ll probably just stay here. But I am really interested in making a step into the Hongkong film industry, as it (seems to) lack. Anyway, let’s hope I get to experience the student in hongkong thing sometime, perhaps in a summer program!
Nick

Helloooo everyone! (if everyone is still reading this post…)

I really like this article, I’m going to study at HK PolyU in august this year for a semester and, as I’m sure many of you have encountered, reading anything about somewhere you’re about to travel to whether to travel, to study or even to live just sets the butterflies in your stomach flying!

I’m interested by the points about being difficult to learn mandarin there, I’m going to be taking ‘elementary mandarin’ (I chose it over elementary cantonese–bad decision??) so we will see how that goes! I’m writing a blog at http://nicksjourneytohk.blogspot.com/ where I will be charting my progress… it might end up being not a very long blog. haa

7 reasons to study abroad in Hong Kong

1. It’s not what it seems.

2. When else can you afford to live there?

3. Hong Kong has some of the best food in the world.

4. Hong Kong has plenty of outdoor adventures.

5. Hong Kong’s the gateway to mainland China.

6. Learn Mandarin or improve your English.

7. Hong Kong students know how to have fun.

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