Anna Bykova - about one of the most interesting and vivid periods of her life - participation in the academic mobility programme in Hong Kong
“My participation in the academic mobility programme in Hong Kong was a learning experience, but also an opportunity to broaden my horizons, to test myself in a new environment and to learn a lot about both the world and myself.” Anna Bykova — about one of the most interesting and intense periods of her life: studying in Hong Kong for a semester, new friends from different parts of the world and stories that filled with unforgettable impressions.
Anna Bykova, a third-year student of the Logistics and Supply Chain Management programme at the HSE Graduate School of Business, visited the City University of Hong Kong (CityU). Why did Anna choose one of the Asian universities, how is the education organised and what did this experience bring her — read Anna’s review.
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Choosing a mobility programme
Having just started my first year of study, I had already started planning a semester abroad as part of an academic mobility programme. I initially considered studying at a European university, but there were no suitable courses for my specialisation — that is logistics. After researching course offerings at City University of Hong Kong, I found courses that fit my curriculum and was eventually nominated to this university.
Preparing for the trip
The process of preparing for the trip was quite complicated and required a lot of attention. Firstly, you had to fill in an online application form on the university website, providing personal details and uploading a number of documents, including a photo for your student ID, a bank statement on the availability of funds and a scan of your passport.
The visa application required sending a copy of the passport, a photograph, a completed visa application form and a form with bank card details to pay the state fee to the university. The fee is paid at the expense of the university, which acts as your guarantor, so it was necessary to prepare a foreign bank card in advance and deposit the equivalent of HK$500.
As for sending documents, at the time of my preparation for the trip, only two companies were delivering to China — CDEK and DHL. I chose DHL because they deliver documents faster, while CDEK can take over a month to deliver. It was extremely important to send all the documents as early as possible to avoid delays in getting my visa.
It is equally important to take care of payment methods abroad in advance. Since ordinary Russian bank cards often don't work abroad, I recommend getting a UnionPay card from Gazprombank.
As for the flight, I opted for a direct Aeroflot flight of about 10 hours. I chose this flight to avoid the potential problems of connecting flights that friends who flew via Beijing told me about. They had to pick up their luggage for re-delivery, which increased the risk of losing it. In addition, connecting flights in Beijing require a transit visa, which is an additional issue to care about.
Adaptation Week
During the adaptation week for exchange students at City University of Hong Kong, many activities were organised to help us settle in more quickly and get to know both the university and other students. One of the first and most memorable events was the welcome dinner organised by the College of Business faculty. This event gave us the opportunity to try a variety of local cuisine including the famous dim sum, crispy spring rolls and other traditional dishes. The dinner was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, which allowed us to make our first acquaintances and feel part of a large and friendly university family. In addition to dinner, we were organised campus tours, which helped us to better orientate ourselves in the numerous buildings of the university. Also memorable was a trip to Lantau Island, where we saw the Big Buddha statue, a Buddhist temple and a fishing village.
Studying in the City-U
The City University of Hong Kong campus is located in a very convenient and quiet part of the city — Kowloon Tong. From here it is convenient to travel both outside the city and to the centre of the metropolis. The university territory has a rather confusing architecture, so in the first few days I had to actively use signposts and ask other students where this or that classroom was located. The campus is connected to a shopping centre, so it was very convenient to go to the shops and food court after the classes.
Studying at CityU, in comparison to the GSB, is not difficult, and I successfully completed all my courses. The grading system here is similar to ours: final grades are made up of several elements of control, such as homework, projects, group assignments and exams. Most subjects require midterm exams, which are similar to our test papers. It is important to note that many courses have blocking elements, so you should carefully read the course description and course outline on the university website.
Unlike the GSB, there are no seminars here — most classes are only lectures, which last 3 hours with breaks of 10 minutes each hour. In the second half of the lectures, the professors give practical assignments to be completed before the end of the class.
I chose six subjects for the programme including Strategic Entrepreneurship, Global Business Logistics, Global Tech Consulting and E-Logistics and Supply Chain Management. I also decided to add Chinese and French courses to my curriculum, which allowed me to immerse myself in the language environment and practice the languages with my friends from the exchange programme. Studying Chinese proved to be both fun and also extremely useful for a comfortable stay in Hong Kong during the academic mobility programme. My knowledge came in handy when travelling around China, where English is rarely spoken.
Extracurricular activities
City University of Hong Kong offers students a wide range of extracurricular activities. Sporting activities include badminton, tennis, rowing and basketball. The university also organises various competitions such as Singing Contest, where students can showcase their talents and have fun. I especially recommend signing up for Survival Cantonese Class, where local students teach simple phrases and words in Cantonese. This class is useful for everyday life in Hong Kong and helps you better understand the local culture.
Accommodation
City University of Hong Kong provides dormitory accommodation for foreign students. The cost of accommodation is approximately HKD 16000 per semester. In case you do not get a place in the dormitory, the university also sends you a list of popular places to rent through Airbnb and other similar services, from which you can choose a suitable option. However, the cost of accommodation will be much higher, as property in Hong Kong is very expensive. In this case, renting an apartment will cost a minimum of HKD 15000 per month.
About the city
Hong Kong is a city that never sleeps and is always full of life. Here you can find a lot of entertainment of any kind. Art and history lovers can visit numerous museums, such as the Hong Kong Museum of History or the Science Museum, where you can learn a lot about the city's past and present.
Walking along the atmospheric streets with neon signs that have made Hong Kong world famous, creates a special magic of the city at night. One of the most famous places for such walks is the Mong Kok district, where you can feel the real pulse of the metropolis. Hong Kong's nightlife is centred on Lan Kwai Fong (better known as LKF), where most of the nightclubs and bars are located.
Hong Kong is famous for the Happy Valley Racecourse, where the famous horse races take place. This place has become iconic with locals and tourists alike. Held every Wednesday, the races are a real treat, attracting crowds of spectators eager to try their luck and enjoy the dynamics of the races. It's a great way to spend an evening with friends and experience the excitement of racing.
But Hong Kong is not just about city life. The surrounding nature amazes with its beauty and diversity. For nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, Hong Kong has many hiking trails. Climbing mountains on a hot and humid day can be a challenge, but the views from the peaks are worth it. I enjoyed my time hiking, climbing mountain peaks to enjoy the breathtaking views. One of the most memorable routes was the climb up Cape Collinson Battery.
I also visited the local theme parks, Ocean Park and Disneyland, which was a great way to diversify the school day. For those who prefer a more active holiday, there are plenty of options in Hong Kong, including kayaking, surfing and cycling.
A must-see is Victoria Peak, one of Hong Kong's top attractions. Climbing to the top on a historic tramway, with more than a century of history, is already a thrilling adventure in itself. From the top you have a stunning view of the boundless sea, numerous islands and the sparkling city.
I highly recommend taking a ride on the Star Ferry, which connects Tsim Sha Tsui and Central waterfronts. The ferry ride allows you to enjoy great views of the city from the water.
If you want to explore the rest of China, cities like Beijing or Shanghai, you will need a separate visa as Hong Kong has a special administrative status. I have had time to visit Shanghai, Macau, Beijing, Guangzhou, Sanya and Shenzhen. Each of these places is unique and memorable for me for its sights and cultural features. A trip to Shenzhen, a modern metropolis with skyscrapers, shopping centres and technology parks, was particularly interesting. It can be reached by underground in just 30 minutes, making the trip very convenient.
And of course, one of the most vivid memories of my stay in Hong Kong is the Chinese New Year celebrations. This festival is breathtaking in its scale and beauty. The sounds of drums and dancers manipulating giant dragon figures was an incredible sight. Festive street treats added to the atmosphere of the event, making it truly festive and colourful. The celebrations ended with a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the night sky. Unforgettable impressions and a feeling of delight from what we saw! This celebration was a special moment that I will always remember.
Conclusion
My participation in the academic mobility programme in Hong Kong was a learning experience, but also an opportunity to broaden my horizons, to test myself in a new environment and to learn a lot about both the world and myself. After a semester of the mobility programme, I can say that it was one of the most interesting and fulfilling periods of my life. The experience has given me friends from all over the world and a lot of stories that I will share for years to come.
For students who are just about to travel, I would advise to be eager to try new things and be open to new experiences. Prepare for your trip in advance, pay attention to learning the language and cultural peculiarities of the country.
