Exchange Program in Hong Kong

Anfisa Klisho, a student of the “Business Informatics” program, was one of the first to take part in the exchange program with City University of Hong Kong.

Introduction
Hi everyone! My name is Anfisa, and I’m a third-year student in the “Business Informatics” program. In the first semester of 2021, I went to study in Hong Kong, and now I’d like to share how it all went.

Preparing for Departure
For some reason, I knew from the moment I enrolled at the university that I would spend a semester studying abroad. I can’t say where the idea came from, but as early as my first year I had already found all the information about how to make it happen at HSE. I want to point out that all the necessary information is available on the official website, so I didn’t have any issues with the application process itself. If you’re unsure about anything, I recommend attending the webinars regularly organized by the GSB or HSE’s International Exchange Center (the application process for university-wide mobility is very similar). I spent almost a month preparing my application: writing a motivation letter, asking professors for recommendation letters, and filling out the application form. I strongly recommend dedicating enough time to this process so that your application stands out from the rest. A few words about choosing a university. Initially, I thought I would go to a European university, since I had already visited Europe a few times and the environment felt more familiar. However, when I started reviewing the available courses, I realized that there was hardly anything related to Business Informatics. I believe this is an important point to consider in advance, since you’ll need to put together your individual learning plan. I hadn’t originally considered City University of Hong Kong, but I decided to check their course offerings and saw that I could find something suitable. In the end, I was nominated for this university. The preparation process wasn’t too complicated. You need to complete an online application on the university website, collect the necessary visa documents, and send them to the host university. I highly recommend submitting the documents as early as possible, since receiving your visa earlier will spare you a lot of stress while you wait.

Housing
Unfortunately, City University of Hong Kong does not provide on-campus accommodation for exchange students (either due to COVID-19 or limited availability), so you’ll need to find housing on your own. However, the College of Business will send you a list of the most popular housing options among students, which you can choose from. You can also search on Facebook* or Airbnb. I suggest looking at neighborhoods close to the university with easy access to the MTR, so you can travel around the city conveniently. My personal recommendations are: Mongkok, Yaumatei, Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui, Wanchai, Central, and Prince Edward.

COVID-related Challenges
COVID was still very much present, and this brought a number of uncertainties and complications. Honestly, I didn’t know until the very last minute whether I’d be able to go, and I was quite anxious about it. The Hong Kong government constantly monitors the global situation and adjusts entry requirements accordingly. Countries are divided into risk groups, and entry from some is restricted. In my case, I was mainly worried that entry from Russia would be banned — luckily, that didn’t happen. But the issue came from elsewhere: I was supposed to fly via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, but my flight was canceled four days before departure due to multiple positive PCR tests on similar flights. I had to quickly buy a ticket through Doha with Qatar Airways. It was stressful, but everything worked out in the end.

Quarantine
Upon arrival in Hong Kong, you’ll have to go through numerous checks and take a PCR test at the airport. After that, you wait for your result. Only if it’s negative can you proceed to your quarantine hotel. I spent 21 days in a small room. I recommend booking your hotel in advance, as availability runs out quickly. Choose a hotel that allows free cancellation. Also, plan in advance how you’ll spend your time — it really helps to avoid boredom. During quarantine, you’ll need to take several more PCR tests, all of which are free.

Academics
After you’re accepted, arrive in Hong Kong, complete quarantine, and survive a round of PCR testing, you can finally begin your studies. You’ll need to select your courses and register in advance. Most courses consist of lectures and tutorials. Sometimes they’re combined into a long session, with the last hour dedicated to practical work. Be prepared for lectures lasting 2–3 hours. It might feel unusual at first, but you’ll get used to it. Grades are based on multiple components: homework, projects, group work, and exams. Most courses also include midterms — similar to control tests in Russia. Overall, the academic workload wasn’t too difficult. Personally, I didn’t encounter any major issues and successfully passed all my courses.

Extracurricular Activities
CityU offers a wide range of extracurricular options. You can take part in sports like badminton, tennis, rowing, archery, and more. I also recommend joining the Survival Cantonese Class organized by local students — you’ll learn simple phrases and vocabulary that will be helpful in daily life in Hong Kong.

Entertainment
Hong Kong offers plenty of hiking opportunities — you can hike up a mountain and enjoy breathtaking views, all in one day. It can be physically challenging, especially in 30°C heat and 100% humidity, but it’s absolutely worth it. You can also rent bikes in some places or go kayaking — highly recommended! Since there were no tourists during my stay, it was great to enjoy all these activities without the crowds. I’d say visiting restaurants and bars is another form of entertainment. Hong Kong has incredible food, including Michelin-starred restaurants and some of the world’s best bars. Don’t miss the chance to explore the local culinary scene! There are also two amusement parks in Hong Kong — Ocean Park and Disneyland.

Final Thoughts
I’ve written a lot, but my main message is this: if you have the opportunity, go to Hong Kong — you won’t regret it. It’s an incredibly diverse city that leaves no one indifferent. You’ll meet people from all over the world and see the city from many different angles. If you have any questions, feel free to message me on Telegram: @anfiss_ka — I’ll be happy to help!

*Facebook is a social network banned in Russia.

Обмен в CityU: впечатления

Video: Anfisa Klisho