Studying Abroad in Hong Kong: A Story of Growth, Culture and Friendship
Alina Syed
BA(Hons) International Business student
Hi! I’m Alina, and I study BA(Hons) International Business at University of Huddersfield, which has led me to the heart of Hong Kong for an amazing study abroad experience!
My exchange visit to Hong Kong
Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Hong Kong as an exchange student at the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, where I studied four modules over the course of five months.
I’ve always been curious about studying abroad, especially after hearing stories from my cousins who participated in similar programmes during their time at university. So, when my lecturer introduced this opportunity to us, I grabbed it with both hands!
After submitting my application and obtaining my visa in October, I was accepted in November and before I knew it, I was packing my bags to fly out to Hong Kong on January 1!
University life
Although there wasn’t a conventional freshers’ week like we have in the UK, Hang Seng University made sure all the exchange students felt welcome by organising unique events just for us. We celebrated Chinese New Year together, played various games, and even hosted a global café where we made food from our native countries. We prepared scones and served traditional English tea as representatives of the UK!
After all the welcome events, we exchanged socials and began exploring Hong Kong together. One of our first adventures was a trip to Macau, which was such a fun experience! We also hiked to amazing locations including the Victoria Peak, Suicide Cliff, Lion Rock, and Dragon's Back. We stopped at Ocean Park, Disneyland, and took in the breathtaking views of the Victoria Harbour along the route.
Getting involved
There were plenty of extracurricular activities available too! I took part in karate, basketball, badminton, and running.
One of my highlights was taking part in a very challenging 4km women's relay race—which we won!
Taking home the gold medal felt incredibly satisfying, and it was made even more memorable with the support of my fellow exchange students.
I couldn't have been happier!
Far from Home
At first, the idea of studying abroad and being away from my family for the first time was daunting. I went from seeing them every day to only being able to FaceTime.
It was challenging during Ramadan, a deeply spiritual month for Muslims, as it was my first time celebrating it away from home. But the support I received from the friends I had made of different religions and cultural backgrounds really helped. Even though I couldn’t celebrate Eid, the festival that signifies the end of Ramadan, with my family this year, I spent it with the new ‘family’ I’d made in Hong Kong.
Exchange students from France, Belgium, Morocco, Indonesia and many other countries all came together to celebrate. It was such a wholesome event, and it made the day feel very special and heartwarming.
Adjusting to a new academic environment
The workload at Hang Seng University was a bit different from what I’m used to in the UK. There were more group projects and deadlines, longer lectures, and a stronger emphasis on class engagement. On top of that, I’m currently applying for placements for next year, so managing my time effectively became key to balancing my studies with all the fun activities. Ultimately, I’ve learned a lot from this experience, and I’m confident it will be invaluable when applying for placements.
Lessons and growth
Overall, this experience has been both challenging and rewarding.
It taught me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace opportunities, even when they seem difficult or feel overwhelming.
I’ve learnt so much and grown both personally and academically.
I’ve formed lasting friendships, connected with people from all over the world, and learnt about different cultures and traditions, which has truly broadened my perspectives.
Final thoughts
The most important thing I would advise for anyone considering an exchange programme is to just go for it! It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone in the best way possible. Yes, it’s not always easy. There will be moments of homesickness, culture shock, personal growth and academic stress. But those moments are what shape your experience.
Get out there, learn about different cultures, try new foods and make connections with people around the world. Lastly, don’t be afraid to do things on your own! Some of the best memories I’ve made came from taking on challenges by myself. You'll return stronger, more self-assured, and with lifelong memories (and friendships!) to carry with you.
If you're interested in studying abroad, please contact international.mobility@hud.ac.uk.