Mathematics – Information Technology Management, Co-op (3B)
Fall 2015 - Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (CUHK)
Hello! Or to be more appropriate 你好! My name is Melissa Lee and I decided to travel across the world to study in Hong Kong at the Chinese University of Hong Kong during my 3B term.
If I can associate one word to my experience, it would be: Memories. From living in Hong Kong for 4 months, I have learned so much, on an academic and personal view. I remember my first impression when I stepped out of University station, I was astonished and mesmerized by the campus… it was on a hill … with nature everywhere … even a pond … it was dead gorgeous.
University
Life:
On
the
term,
I
only
took
3
courses:
Business
Policy,
Marketing
and
Databases.
Marketing
class
was
the
most
memorable
because
we
had
to
make
funny
videos,
skits
and
just
be
as
creative
as
possible.
Databases
would
be
the
most
stressful
course
I
have
taken
in
University
due
to
the
fact
that
Java
was
a
prerequisite
for
CUHK
students
but
I
have
never
touched
that
programming
language
in
my
life.
I
pulled
my
all-nighters
in
the
library
“learning
gardens”
with
my
friends
and
other
students.
It
was
normal
for
students
to
sleep
there.
Student Housing: I lived in the ‘iHouse’ which stands for International House where 1/3 is International students, 1/3 Mainland and 1/3 local students. By diversifying the students, you will most likely be living with a local or Mainland so that you get more exposure to the Asian culture.
Adventures: Finally, you can’t go on exchange abroad without exploring your surroundings. I bargained at numerous night markets, fell in love with cheap street foods, tried new foods (snake sperm, had noodles in a bag, cheese tarts),
| went hiking, |
got
an
eyebrow
tattoo, |
 |
 |
|
had cheap spa dates, taught English to high school students, (Teaching English in ZengCheng) |
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joined the CUHK dance club, sang karaoke until 6am and caught the first MTR (subway) back to campus. Fed deer, had unlimited beer at Mr. Wong’s Chinese Restaurant, betted on horse racing, visited the famous LKF Hong Kong Night life, visited the big Buddha, attended a junk boat party, (Junk Boat Birthday Party) |
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In addition, I have travelled to other countries nearby including Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and Shenzhen. Many of my friends have also visited Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Beijing and Shanghai.
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| In all honesty, the experience you gain from living on your own in a new country is a unique experience that any student should go if they get the chance to. It might seem like a lot of preliminary paperwork and effort matching courses and getting approval signatures, but it will be all worth it in the end. Never regret. | |
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