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Academic Differences – UK to HK
By Alexandra Ure (Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong) SUBJECT CHOICES Despite choosing and finalising subjects before arriving in Hong Kong by utilising the online subject choice information for PolyU, which was both informative and useful, I still ended up changing a few modules in the Add/Drop period. Unlike Manchester, you can choose any subjects from an inbound exchange list and change your subjects in the Add/Drop period, which is the first two weeks of the semester. I attended my scheduled classes and additional subjects that I thought I might be interested in, in case I did not like or find the modules I had already chosen to be suitable.…
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Settling into life in HK
By Alexandra Ure (Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong) So Hong Kong has been my new home for two weeks already, I have no idea where the time’s gone! It feels like so long since my departure from the UK and I’m surprised at how easily I’ve settled in and how welcoming the country is as a whole. There is perfect marriage of East-meets-West here which I think has made the transition of moving here so easy! I really cannot stress enough how amazing and intriguing I am finding Hong Kong is, I absolutely love it and can’t wait to really start immersing myself in the culture. The locals are…
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My First Week in Singapore
Kyran Clarke (National University of Singapore, Singapore) I’m all settled in now after my first week in Singapore. It has been a very hectic but enjoyable week. When I arrived I was met by my National University of Singapore (NUS) buddy. They stayed with me for half a day and were incredibly helpful. Not only did they help me get to my accommodation but they showed me around campus, pointing out all the major places which saved me a lot of time and made getting around a lot easier. They also helped me get an EZ-link card (allows you to get on public transport) and a Singaporean phone card which…
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The journey begins; Arrival in Singapore
Callum Campbell (National University of Singapore, Singapore) Finally, after all these months of preparation, packing and anticipation I am in Singapore starting my semester abroad! Although at first it was an emotional departure and a draining beginning, I now feel very settled in a country completely different to my own. The time is literally flying by and I can see these next four months disappearing before I catch my breath. It seems a distant memory when I was leaving my family at Heathrow Airport. I was feeling so nervous and lonely in a way which I had never experienced before knowing that, unlike any other trip I had made before, nobody was…
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POST POLY U!
By Roopa Hathi (Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong). Hey there! So, it is actually the time that I have finished my studies at PolyU! So so strange that this year has flown by!! So, firstly I am going to begin with a brief account of what I’ve been up to since my last blog post! My exams went well, I passed them all which was good! And even passed my Chinese exam – which I am not definitely going to take in final year using the Manchester LEAP program! (Everyone research this if you are keen to carry on your study abroad languages! It’s a program UoM offer to…
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The struggle of learning Mandarin Chinese…
By Roopa Hathi (Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong). 你好，很抱歉, 我很忙！我学中文，很难，也很有趣！ Hello, I am very sorry, I have been very busy! I study Chinese, It is very difficult.. but also very interesting! So my time at Hong Kong Polytechnic University is shortly coming to an end, and I have absolute no idea how this has gone this fast! I have been stuck down recently with 3 mid term exams, 3 presentations and 4 reports! And also the focus of my blog entry today- my Level 2 Mandarin Chinese final! I am sure those of you looking to come to Hong Kong to study, are most likely wanting to learn a bit…
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Happy Year of the Horse!
By Roopa Hathi (Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong). Hey all, So sorry for my lack of blog posts recently – I have been caught up in the excitement of returning to Hong Kong after Christmas back at home, and most importantly, with Chinese New Year! Since the last time I wrote to you, I have been on holiday to Shanghai and Bali, had a few exams and had to say goodbye to all of the great friends I made! After the most amazing first six months in Hong Kong, and having to say goodbye to some really amazing friends… I am back in Hong Kong for round two –…
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Hong Kong Update
By Roopa Hathi (Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong). 23rd September Hey readers! Hong Kong has been extremely busy and so many things have happened since I have first started! The city is just amazing and has so much to offer; after being here for almost 4 weeks now, I have learnt that the best way to enjoy my free time is just to get off at a random MTR stop and to lose myself whilst exploring the streets. Around every corner there is something new and exciting! I have made friends with people from many different countries, from Americans, to Dutch, Germans, Australians and of course the Hong Kong…
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Getting Settled
By Olivia Hunnybun. After a week in Hong Kong simple things like finding my way around or buying food have become easier. It seems that when you are in a place completely new and do not speak the language everything takes much longer than usual. I have just about managed to get myself organised with regards to student ID, a local SIM card/phone, class enrolment, local bank account, residential papers, octopus card and I’m sure there’s more! Having an octopus card is actually extremely useful and I wish I had bought one straight away. You can then use them to pay on public transport such as the trams or items…
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Rocky Arrival
By Olivia Hunnybun. Leaving England behind was not difficult for me, mainly because the whole thing did not feel real. For now excitement, curiosity and novelty surpass any feelings of anxiety or isolation from people I care about… So hey I may as well enjoy it while it lasts! Saying goodbye to my parents at the airport! If I were to do this trip with hindsight I would do 3 main things differently; 1. Leave more time for possible delays My accommodation (at Wah Ming Centre) check-in closed at 5, so after 2 delayed flights it was already too late. To make things worse Tom’s bag got lost in transit…
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Hong Kong- Here I come!
By Roopa Hathi (Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong). 25 August 2013 Hi readers! It is the night before I leave for Hong Kong!! It is hard to imagine that in 24 hours from now, I will be in a different time zone and 6000 miles away from home. However, there is more to living in Hong Kong than just the distance; to me it is a life changing experience. I will learn about myself and challenge everything I have been so familiar with for the past 20 years. Since my acceptance to Hong Kong Polytechnic University in February, I have become an expert day dreamer. My bookmarks toolbar consists…
A study abroad journal by students, for students.
