Student Report:
Hong Kong
Polytechnic University
Exchange semester: Fall, 2015
I.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Hong Kong is an amazing city and you should strongly consider to apply. An exchange
experience in Hong Kong is a perfect combination of China and the western world. It offers
everything! The city is safe, and people are polite and kind. With an effective metro system,
you can easily move from the Kowloon side to the inspiring Hong Kong Island. Taxis are
cheap and start at HKD 25. The weather is hot and humid from summer to late October (35
degrees), whereas in December it drops to around18 degrees. With more than 1300
skyscrapers in a relatively small area, the city is a metropolis with one of the highest
population densities in the world. Another upside, is that you easily can escape to beaches and
hiking experiences with great views.
Applying for a Visa
The university provides all mandatory forms and guides you through the application process.
After you have been accepted to the university, the international exchange office at PolyU
will contact you and send your information to the immigration office. Finally, they send you
your visa by post.
Costs
Hong Kong can be an expensive city. Since there is a lot of people living on relatively little
space, the housing market is under pressure. If you decide to live outside of the halls, you
should expect to pay twice as much as in Oslo, for half the space. Because most apartments
require a one-year-lease, you probably need to rent a serviced apartment which is more
expensive too. However, if you decide to live in the halls, the costs are way cheaper. Monthly
rent is about HKD 1300. We did not live halls, but we heard it is ok.
Food at the school canteens is about HKD 25 for a hot meal. There is also a variety of dishes
each day. Outside campus, a classic Chinese and Asian meal costs about HKD 50-100. There
is also a variety of western restaurants which offer food at a Norwegian price level, HKD 150
<.
Culture and Language
Hong Kong can be seen as “Asia’s Manhattan”. The British heritage still has an impact on the
city, there is order and the city runs efficiently. There is however a difference between Hong
Kong Island and the Kowloon side. The Island is hip and modern, whereas the Kowloon side
is much more Chinese. People speak Cantonese, but you always find someone speaking
English. There is also a lot of western expats who speak English, especially on the Island and
in the modern parts of the city.
It is important to remember that the inhabited parts of Hong Kong are the most densely
populated in the whole world. You can expect to always see a lot of people in the streets.
II. ABOUT THE SCHOOL
The Campus
The campus area is centrally placed on the Kowloon side. There is about 30,000 students, but
there is a limited space. As elsewhere in Hong Kong, there are many buildings in a relatively
small area. Campus is built in bricks and generally has a lower standard than BI in Oslo. On
campus there are about three canteens, and two coffee shops.
Current Faculty Divisions
The university consists of six faculties and two schools: Faculty of Applied Science and
Textiles, Faculty of Business, Faculty of Construction & Environment, Faculty of
Engineering, Faculty of Health & Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, alongside with
School of Design & School of Hotel and Tourism Management. It offers more than 130 postgraduate, undergraduate and sub-degree programmes.
Approx. Number of Students
There is more than 30,000 student, but many are part time. There is also a lot of exchange
students, where many are from mainland China. Of European exchange students, Germany
and France are highly represented.
Study Structure (post-graduate)
50 % of your grade will generally be the final exam, whereas the rest is divided between
participation, midterm, group projects, papers, presentations and/ or homework (some of
these). There is generally a lower level than in Norway, but you are forced to work
simultaneously through the semester. The work load is on average equal to the Norwegian,
except that you will work more evenly.
Course Registration
Through your application you select preferred subjects. A couple of months before the start of
the semester, you can register all your courses online. The first two weeks of school you can
also add and drop courses. Remember that 50 % of your subjects must be in your selected
department.
Were You Able to Register for Courses before Arrival? Any Difficulties?
We registered before we arrived by assistance from the PolyU international exchange office.
If the School Has a Lottery or Bidding System, Describe this System and Your
Experience in Detail.
N/A
When and How Long Was the Period for Adding/ Dropping Courses?
You can add and drop courses for two weeks.
Academic Calendar
Arrival date:
First day of the semester:
Last day of classes:
Examination period:
August 27
August 31
November 27
December 4-19
Any special
events/holidays:
A few days of public
holiday during the
fall semester.
Other:
Arrival
Was the Administration and Faculty Well-prepared for Your Arrival?
The faculty organized a welcoming event for all exchange students, including a welcoming
party on the first Friday. They organize everything for you, including student-card etc.
Did the School’s Students Participate in the Reception of the Exchange Students?
You are assigned a buddy who will show you around and answer any questions you might
have.
Describe the Introduction Week?
There are a couple of welcoming parties and a reception where you can meet other exchange
students.
The International Office
Is There an International Office?
All your communication with PolyU goes through their international office.
As an Exchange Student, Did You Receive Sufficient and Relevant Information? In
English?
You receive all the information you need by email in English. They need a lot of information
during your application process, but you receive sufficient instructions in advance.
Promoting BI and Norway
What Kind of Activities Were You Involved in to Promote Exchange to Norway at Your
Exchange University?
N/A
Social activities
How Was Your Relationship with Native Students?
The Chinese culture is different, and at first the Chinese students can have a bit more childish
appeal. There is no problem to communicate on group projects etc. We had a few
relationships with Chinese people.
How Was the Relationship Among the Exchange Students?
There is a lot of exchange students, and they are easy to get in touch with. We have seen more
to European students, especially Danish and French.
Is There a Student Organization, and If So, Are the Exchange Students a Part of It?
There is an international student organization. We believe it was more common among
undergraduates.
Are There Any Special Activities and Gatherings for Exchange Students?
There is a PolyU facebook group for exchange student, where all exhibitions are posted.
There is also the ANSA group on facebook.
III. ACADEMICS
In the Classroom
Describe the Teaching Style.
As in most universities, some professors are good teachers, whereas some are less qualified.
Unlike BI, you are required to attend every class as this will be 10 % of your grade. They
prefer participation in class, but not many Chinese participate. As exchange students, we were
easily noticed in class, and it was not difficult to join the teachers’ reasoning.
Language of Instruction
All our professors spoke English, although some were a bit hard to understand at first.
Is the Teaching Primarily Practical or Theoretical?
We would say the teaching is primarily theoretical in the accounting classes. However, we
took a Chinese economy class which was great and practically oriented.
How Is the Workload Compared to That at BI?
The academic level is less challenging than in Norway, but you are forced to work evenly
through the semester. The work load is on average equal to the Norwegian.
Describe the Relationship Between Professors and Students.
We had a good relationship with the professors. They were interested in us and our
perspective on academic topics. It is easier when you stand out as international students and
are open minded.
Describe the Relationship Between the Students in the Classroom.
We had a good working relationship with other students, both international and local.
Course materials
Describe the Course Materials Used (books/literature, online articles, Powerpoint)
Most professors post all required materials on blackboard (e.g. its’learning). You might also
need to buy books for some classes. Powerpoint slides are common.
How Do You Estimate the Level of the Course Materials in Comparison to BI?
Overall, the academic level is less challenging than in Norway.
Exams
Most professors reveal what chapters are relevant for the final exams. The final exam is three
hours long in each subject. We had all five final exams within seven days.
Library and Technology
You have free access to library material, including computers and printers.
Descriptions of some of the courses taken
Course code
and name
Master/Bac Exam form
helor
prerequisit
es
Approved as
Comments
AF 5625
Chinese
Economy
Master
Attendance,
paper,
presentation,
final exam
None
Elective
Qualitative
AF 5112
Management
Accounting
Master
Attendance,
homework,
midterm,
final
None
Elective
Quantitative
AF 5326
Managerial
Finance
Master
Attendance,
midterm,
group
project, final
None
Elective
Quantitative
AF 5343
Quantitative
Methods for
Finance
Master
Attendance,
homework,
paper, final
Statistical
course in
undergradua
te degree
Approved as
required for
“Metode” at BI
for Master
Thesis in Master
in professional
accountancy
Very interesting
and highly
recommended
subject!
Excellent and
very
knowledgeable
professor. Not
too high
workload. You
learn about
China’s
economy
compared to the
rest of the world
from a
macroeconomic
perspective
Basic
management
accounting
course. Quite
easy subject, but
a lot of time
consuming
homework
assignments.
Canadian
professor who is
very dedicated.
Basic
managerial
finance course.
Not too high
work load.
Quite easy if
you have had
finance courses
before.
Statistical
course for
finance. Most
challenging of
our courses.
Quite
manageable if
you do the
required
homework.
AF 5508
Corporate
Governance
Master
Attendance,
midterm,
presentation,
final
none
Approved as
required for
“Etikk” at BI in
Master in
professional
accountancy
Course focused
on Corporate
Governance in
Hong Kong and
the
requirements for
public
companies in
Hong Kong.
Quite low
workload, but
maybe not that
relevant for
Norway.