Sharing from
our students

The Chinese University of Hong Kong is an open, diverse and culturally inclusive school. As a mainland student, I participated in a lot of activities since my first year. Some are related to traditional Chinese culture; others can help you learn about local and foreign cultures, such as the Mid-Autumn Festival Tour, Traditional Food Festival, Thai boxing, aerial yoga, hiking with college students, teaching Cantonese to ethnic minority children, etc. CUHK has provided me with an excellent platform to broaden my horizons, expand my knowledge, and better understand multiculturalism. I really enjoy my university school life, which gives me valuable experience.

Growing up in the UK and studying at an international school in Hong Kong, going abroad was the logical next step for me when I finished my high school. However, I decided to stay in HK and study at CUHK, a decision that I am most happy with and would never look back upon.
As a university freshman, I was able to network and connect with not only students from Hong Kong, but also many more like-minded peers from diverse backgrounds. CUHK’s warm and embracing culture with a commitment to build a diverse and truly inclusive university community for all, is clearly reflected in different initiatives. For instance, we are able to form various student societies which organize events to promote cultural diversity and foster connections amongst students. Personally, I have also fostered friendships and bonds with exchange, local, and mainland students through lectures, activities and events.
With the positive experience in my freshmen year at CUHK, I have decided to sign up for a position on the executive committee of Chung Chi College’s International Association. I aim to contribute to creating a warm and inclusive community for incoming students next year. Overall, CUHK is a university that promotes diversity and inclusivity, and students often fondly refers to it as a “second home” because of its welcoming environment.

CUHK is such a place that welcomes people from all around the world. As a New Zealand-born Chinese coming to CUHK, I was impressed by the mature system of the student associations which consist of the International Student Association (ISA), and Mainland Student Association as well as many other unions from colleges. Before I came to CUHK, executive committees from ISA sent us the link to join their group chat, and carry out many Q&A sessions for freshmen there. In the past, I was super introvertive when talking with others, but via feeling their empathy and passion in helping freshmen, it seems CUHKers are creating a nice vibe, and I found it interesting and valuable in communicating with different CUHKers, actively engaging in learning something new from them. Besides, CUHK also established the intercultural exchange Activities that Hong Kong students and Internationals participate altogether to gain knowledge of global culture, which I value much for my university life. That is mainly why I choose CUHK such a student-oriented society for academic investigation.

As part of the Yale University-New Asia Student Exchange Program (YUNA), I had the opportunity to travel to Yale University and New York City with 7 other New Asia College students, presenting narratives under the theme of “Ethnicity, Migration and Identity”. In the U.S., I explored the historical and political significance of New Haven as a cultural melting pot, through interviewing Afghan immigrants, observing the work of local charities, and watching a student-led play on Chinese-American generational struggles. The exchange experience nudged me to get more in touch with my home city, Hong Kong, and I organized excursions and interviews with prominent local figures for Yale students. Our biggest takeaway, however, is our day-to-day interactions with fellow exchange students. We have discovered commonalities that transcend borders, challenging the notion of “us” versus “them” and emphasizing our pledge to human solidarity.

I am glad that I have been fortunate enough to be selected as one of the 15 students to participate in a three-week summer programme at Hertford College of Oxford University. The journey is truly remarkable and eye-opening. Our days were filled with interactive and enjoyable lessons, ranging from English poetry, architecture and anthropology to filmmaking, business pitching and current affairs. Apart from attending lessons, we explored the city of Oxford and took part in cultural activities including punting, crazy golf, pub tour and karaoke night. Sightseeing trips to places like Blenheim Palace, the National Gallery and the British Museum expanded our horizons. I also had memorable days in London, Bath, and Cambridge. Despite some travel challenges, this journey provided me with invaluable experiences, knowledge, and lifelong friendships, which will undoubtedly shape my future. It was truly a dream come true!

In my exchange journey at HEC Paris, I ventured with curiosity into the realm of ‘Europe’s premier business school.’ Immersed in enriching and captivating professional classrooms, I exchanged market insights and perspectives with friends from around the globe. I also journeyed to the azure coast of Southern France, and to the pristine snow-capped mountains of Switzerland, before boarding a flight back to Hong Kong. Carrying with me the wisdom from the far reaches of the Eurasian continent, my soul returned enriched and buoyant.

The academic curriculum at CUHK sufficiently accommodates students to acquire technical skills and knowledge in their field, not just through lectures but also through experiential learning in scenario-based projects. The opportunities provided by CUHK for its students are endless, and I am immensely grateful to be a part of the 2024 CUHK IGEM team, which has given me an incredible chance to learn outside the classroom. Based on my experiences studying here, I am truly amazed by how passionate the professors are in helping students reach their learning goals, not only through teaching in class but also by sharing their experiences in the field. Moreover, I am impressed by the rigor of the curriculum at CUHK, which shapes students into better versions of themselves. I am proud to say that I have learned a lot during my studies here.

I would like to express my gratitude to myself for choosing to study at CUHK, which allows me to express myself and pursue my dreams in such a free and broad platform. CUHK empowers students with outstanding academic quality, valuable humanistic care and comprehensive career support. In the course of pursuing my first degree (Journalism and Communication), I was able to meet real brand clients from various industries in the practical courses organized by the department and work with my teammates to design and deliver highly feasible integrated marketing campaigns, which immersed me in the most realistic workplace environment in advance, and will be of great help to me in my future job searching.

“CUHK is the place Where Great Minds Shine”. As a world-class university, CUHK not only provides students with a high-quality and cutting-edge education but also allows them to unlock their potential and hidden talents! I’m not just talking about developing interpersonal skills, but also the opportunity to get involved in the sporting life of the university. Although I have always been interested in extracurricular activities in high school and even had my own large-scale project, I thought that it would be much more challenging for me to be proactive at CUHK because it is a completely new environment for me. However, this turned out to be completely opposite! As a Student Ambassador and Vice President of the Central Asian Association at CUHK, I am involved in organizing events and have the honor to represent CUHK at outreach meetings. In addition, I have received two awards from my college for academic excellence and contribution to the social life of the university. Thus, CUHK not only supports but also encourages the active social service of its students.

CUHK attaches great importance to the whole-person development of students. While providing care and attention to students, it also focuses on cultivating students’ ability to think independently and with discernment and deliberation, as well as providing various opportunities for students to come into contact with diverse cultures and the wider world. When I first came to CUHK, I participated in the Mentor Programme of United College and gained life experience by chatting with my mentor. In my second year of study, I was fortunate to be offered an exchange opportunity to the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), and I will be going to Switzerland in my third year of study. It is certainly exciting to spend a semester in another country with a different language and culture. In a general education course, I learnt that there are still some homeless people living in Hong Kong, which prompted me to take part in various volunteer activities to provide the underprivileged with the necessary help. In addition, there are many student societies in the university, and we are free to join as many as we like, making university life colourful.