OUTGOING STUDENT FEEDBACK FORM 10-11
University Attended The University of Hong Kong
1 of 3
INDUCTION/ORIENTATION PROGRAMME
What did this involve, how long did it last, was it useful?
2 day orientation of campus, my study programme and city tour. Very useful and got
me quickly acclimatised.
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
Style of teaching, courses, ease of access to courses, methods of assessment,
teaching support
The teaching was good and the classes much smaller than I expected, made for
more interaction between student and lecturer. Course selection was the major issue
in the academic side of the exchange. Prerequisites being met still didn’t always
allow for me to select a course. Had to get Manchester involved a few times as the
staff at HKU weren’t particularly exchange student friendly. Once I had got on the
courses though it was fine and the support was excellent, emails responded to
promptly and advice always through.
MBS INTERNATIONAL OFFICE
Level of support, additional information that could have been useful
Great support with regards to the courses issue, possibly some extra info regarding
choices of courses available to us. I was unsure at some points even after the
deadline for changing courses if the courses I had taken were accepted by
Manchester. All turned out fine but extra info specifically to HKU would have been a
massive help.
MBS SECOND YEAR MEETINGS
Any additional information that you feel could have been provided
Nothing that was obvious really, the meetings gave us a pretty good idea of what to
expect, again it was fairly general to the group as a whole and not tailored to our
specific universities but that didn’t really cause any issues.
HOST INTERNATIONAL OFFICE
Level of support, additional information that could be useful for future students
Not very exchange student friendly. Took ages to process items and didn’t notify
when they had. I had to keep going in to ask if it had been done. Also not very helpful
when it came to course choices, they kept telling us to go to different offices and they
all sent us back to the International office. But turned out ok in the end.
INSURANCE, HEALTH COVER
Please include any information relating to the purchase of compulsory health
insurance ie costs etc. or whether this was waived by having the University of
Manchester Insurance Policy – waived. Took out extra for travels after HKU ended
INFORMATION ON ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS
This should be information on any extra fees that the University charged but should
not include accommodation, books, transport, visa etc.
NA
ACCOMMODATION
As much information as possible on what accommodation is recommended or not
recommended.
Price was amazing, so cheap and although the standard wasn’t great it was livable
and enjoyable. I had catered halls which kept my daily costs down massively, that
was a big bonus for me. All the halls at HKU had positives and negatives, my halls
were the biggest but also the furthest away from the other international students. I
would advise all future applying HKU exchange students to apply for ‘Student Flats’
accommodation on Sassoon road. Best by miles and full of exchange. For girls going
to HKU ‘Patrick Manson’ is by far the best and the place you are most likely to be put.
DESTINATION INFORMATION AND OVERALL EXPERIENCE
Transport, travel, social life, integration with local students, student activity groups
Public transport is second to none in the world. So cheap, quick and efficient. HK
opened Asia up to me. I went to Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin in China, Malaysia,
Singapore, The Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Bali and Singapore.
Spent my life savings but pretty much had a gap year with all the holidays in the
semesters and big Christmas break, which is perfect as exams are before Christmas
so no work to be done throughout the break!
DESCRIBE IN ONE SENTENCE YOUR YEAR ABROAD
The best year I have ever had, and second year was a tough one to beat!
OUTGOING STUDENT FEEDBACK FORM
University Attended: University of Hong Kong, HK
2 of 3
INDUCTION/ORIENTATION PROGRAMME
What did this involve, how long did it last, was it useful?
I’ve missed the university-wide induction due to travel arrangements. However, all my friends
told that it was a useful programme and they managed to meet many of their peers there and
most friendships were based on whom they met there.
The faculty-wide induction was useful, with a lot of instructions on what we need to provide.
Attendance is a must, as not doing as you’re told will definitely make your registration more
difficult.
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
The style of teaching is different from MBS, with a lot less weights on student inputs.
I do not recommend picking numerical/finance courses unless you are really passionate about
the course and willing to dedicate significant amounts of time to them (>150 hrs). The grading
system based on the normal distribution will mean that you always need to be above the class
average, which is hard if you’re planning more extracurricular activities than the average
(local) student.
Exams only represent a fraction of the total grade, and work needs to be done throughout the
semester. However, most exchange students managed to make separate arrangements for
some assignments, if they had already made plans to travel around the reading weeks.
Changing courses and getting them approved by HKU’s Business faculty is very bureaucratic
and, in my case, represented the worst experience I had during my entire stay there. In the
second semester, it took them 2 months to approve a change!!
Most lecturers and teaching assistants will be more than willing to help you if you’re
investigating an issue that has something to do with their course. I’ve received very good
inputs from Finance professors, with some going the extra mile in putting me in contact with
HK-based professionals.
MBS INTERNATIONAL OFFICE
Huge level of support – could not have asked for more! Thank you!
MBS SECOND YEAR MEETINGS
I got everything I needed from the MBS meetings.
HOST INTERNATIONAL OFFICE
Usually helpful. Sometimes, they pass responsibility between the University-wide office (OISE
in the Global Lounge) and the Business Faculty office (7th floor Meng Wah complex) . Hard to
figure out where you need to go.
INSURANCE, HEALTH COVER
I contacted the HKU University Health Service a few times (e.g. getting malaria pills, periodic
dental check ups, getting vaccines done). It was very simple and very easy to look after my
health.
INFORMATION ON ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS
I paid a HK$350 “caution money” which was returned at the end of the academic year.
ACCOMMODATION
I’ve been offered accommodation in the Student Flats in 6 Sassoon Road. It was by far the
best offer I could have received. We were 6 people in the flat with two bedrooms, with 3
people in a room.
Sharing a room was very fun, even if it sounds a threat to your personal privacy. We were
living in a hall complex with 3 other halls occupied by local students so it was very easy to
have local friends.
Female exchange students usually get an offer in Patrick Manson Hall, which is just across
the streets from the flats.
It takes about 5 minutes to get to the university and 10-15 minutes to get to the city centre by
minibus.
DESTINATION INFORMATION AND OVERALL EXPERIENCE
HK has a very efficient transportation infrastructure, meaning that nothing is far away. It’s also
a great hub for travelling around SE Asia / China, with a few low cost carriers providing
affordable prices.
Local students are very friendly and focused on being part of a community. I’ve joined sports
teams and most of my colleagues were locals and we’re now good friends.
DESCRIBE IN ONE SENTENCE YOUR YEAR ABROAD
Living in Hong Kong has been the most amazing time of my life!
OUTGOING STUDENT FEEDBACK FORM 10-11
University Attended: University of Hong Kong
3 of 3
INDUCTION/ORIENTATION PROGRAMME
What did this involve, how long did it last, was it useful? There were a range of
programs involved including a buddy program, a university pickup program(there was
a shuttle bus that would take us to our halls), orientation of the campus, the city, the
library before the start of the university. Also during the arrival week, we had
meetings, where exchange students from the previous semester would be here to
talk about their experience and give advice on life in Hong Kong and University of
Hong Kong. When you first arrive, we were supposed to pick up our forms and keys
at the Global lounge and then do registration at the Meng Wah Complex, however
the map of the campus is quite difficult to read as the campus is on a mountain/Hill,
and there and in order to reach certain buildings one would have to walk stairs. Take
the escalators, which can be confusing when you first arrive. There were also a few
activities organised by halls ( depending whether you live in student residence/flats or
student halls) that would allow you to meet other exchange students. Overall, it was
very helpful
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
Style of teaching, courses, ease of access to courses, methods of assessment,
teaching support : The style of teaching, depending on the classes is very theory
focused and intensive. The teachings are very up-to-date and there is a lot of
reference to current events . Sometimes instead of teaching , the class would be
discussing about the current events and its impact on the particular subject we are
doing (e.g.: investment and finance) There are a lot of readings to do ( depending
on classes ) and there is also a lot of coursework ( especially group work) It is very
hard to sign up for courses as there are a lot of other students wanting to add;/drop
courses ,and it will take the business office a 3-4 days to process the forms.
Furthermore there are limited spaces for each class, and if the class is especially
popular, the chances of getting into the class are sometimes small. thus it will be
more convenient to have classes added before the add/drop period.. Assessment
methods are (depending on what classes) class participation, papers, weekly
homework, group presentations and midterm and exams. The tutors are very helpful
if you require any help or assistance/
MBS INTERNATIONAL OFFICE
Very useful.
MBS SECOND YEAR MEETINGS
Our University did not have any representatives in the second year meeting, and
since all three universities in Hong Kong are very different in terms of location and
timetables, it would have been great to have someone from University of Hong Kong
to talk to us as well .Overall, the 2nd year meetings were very useful
HOST INTERNATIONAL OFFICE
Very supportive,, but they are very busy, so it takes them a very long time to process
things ( such as signature for forms, add/dropping of classes....etc)
INSURANCE, HEALTH COVER
Health insurance was provided by just simply having a Hong Kong ID, where any
checkups at the doctor [at a hospital[ are 100HKD, which includes the medicine
prescribed. Also there is a health service provided on campus that is for free, but the
medicine they provide will be cheaper ( flu medicine will be around 10HKD)
INFORMATION ON ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS
There is a 250(?, unsure ) safety deposit, which is refundable which is in case you
break something to take cause and damage.
ACCOMMODATION
Usually exchange student ( females) are put into Patrick Manson Student Residence
which is full of exchange students. The top floor, was for full Year exchangers, while
the other two was more for exchange students for the semester. Other exchange
students were put into student flats . And a smaller portion into Student Halls.
Student halls offer a wider variety of all activities and programs( such as high table
dinner, inter-hall-sport activities.. and you get to know more local students. The
student flats,, and Patrick Manson have less activities but there are more exchange
students. However facility wise, the kitchens in the Student Halls are nicer, but due to
the many activities in them it can get very noisy at times)
DESTINATION INFORMATION AND OVERALL EXPERIENCE
Transport, travel, social life, integration with local students, student activity groups
Transportation can be very costly at times, especially if one plans to go around many
places in a day . The student Octopus Card( you would have to apply for one) will
give you 50% off the MTR fees but the fees for busses and airport express remains
unchanged. The university offers shuttle busses to university which will be half price
with a student octopus. Traffic can get quite bad in Hong Kong ( especially during
rush hour) and it is usually much faster to go to places using the MTR,. Also it is very
easy to travel to china, Macau and other places quite cheaply. Overall, Hong Kong is
a great place to exchange to, despite the workload, It is a little westernised but there
is a vast diversity of people and culture that you can discover.
DESCRIBE IN ONE SENTENCE YOUR YEAR ABROAD
This year has been one of the most unforgettable experiences, where i
have met people from different places and made many new friends.