My experience
I chose this experience because it allowed me to gain credit for the equivalent of International Finance at UQ. I also was keen to spend time in Hong Kong, as I have always had a fascination for its unique culture and incredible lifestyle. There was always something to do/explore/eat. Since the metro lines are extensive in Hong Kong, most places are accessible without a car. CUHK Summer Program students all live on campus in the same dormitory, so meeting new people was effortless and what made the experience worthwhile.
How has the experience changed you?
Like anywhere, the people you meet and share an experience with are what make it worthwhile. I was able to make friends from all over the world and learned about their cultures back home. I developed my curiosity for travel and realised that solo travel is easy as long as you keep an open mind.
Favourite memory
My favourite memory was when 20 of us rented a yacht.
Top tips
My top tip is to come to Hong Kong with a big budget. It is not a cheap place to have fun, and you definitely don't want to be stingy when it comes to ordering dim sum. Keep an open mind to people of different backgrounds, as you will have to share a room with 1 or 2 other roommates. Be open to doing new things, and your exchange will naturally find its own way.
Funding
I automatically got a 1000 dollar travel grant for my exchange. Given that I was given accommodation in Hong Kong, the city with the most expensive median rent in the world for 5 weeks, and my exchange only costed a net total of 1000 (not including expenses), it is definitely worth it. Even if you don't receive credit, this has got to be one of the cheapest ways to live in Hong Kong for a month.