James O'Regan

Host University: The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
Year of Study Abroad: 2010-11

Where did you live? Would you recommend it?

On Campus - I-House (International House), definitely recommend, it's nothing fancy but there is a good crowd of exchange students living there and 'rules' tend to be less strictly enforced compared to all other on campus accommodation.

Which department(s) did you study in?

Economics and Business

How does the workload/classes/teaching styles vary to Sheffield?

Economics - much more formal than the business classes and much more like lectures in Sheffield i.e. in a big lecture hall, although smaller than Sheffield, there is a greater emphasis on self study. Lecturers are World class & CUHK has one of the best economics departments in Asia.

What did you do for fun/ at weekends / holidays?

Hong Kong has an incredible night life - the main clubbing district, Lan Kwai Fong, is bang in the heart of Hong Kong's thriving financial district Hong Kong is also a great base to go travelling with other exchange students you meet. With budget airlines such as Air Asia flying out of Hong Kong International Airport on an hourly basis travelling extensively becomes very possible - with exchange students I met in Hong Kong, we travelled to Beijing, Taipei, Chiang Mai, Singapore and Macau.

Did you join any societies or clubs?

Not officially, but I regularly played squash with several members of the CUHK squash team.

Describe the University/City/things to do

University - considering how scarce and valuable land in Hong Kong is, to be able to find a campus university of the size of CUHK was very impressive. The campus is located part way up a mountain so the scenery and views around campus are really nice. Being located in the New Territories, the immediate location doesn't experience the hustle and bustle of the city, but you are not far. A quick 30 minute MTR journey takes you to the heart of the city which is a place like no other, a really amazing place!

Could you give any travel or immigration tips?

If you want to travel to Mainland China, get your visa in Hong Kong. Being in Hong Kong for an academic year you are entitled to get a Hong Kong Identity Card which allows you to apply for a multi-entry visa which works out much cheaper if you intend on going to China more than once.

The HKID card also allows you to skip the queue at Hong Kong International Airport by lining up with the HK residents.

Even if you only intend on entering mainland China once, it still works out cheaper to get a single entry visa in Hong Kong rather than in the UK!

Could you give any advice or tips to a student preparing to go or tell them anything you wished you knew in advance?

CUHK offer both Cantonese & Mandarin classes which many exchange students take one of. I would strongly recommend taking one. Which one you choose is up to you but either one will help you significantly as your year progresses.

My biggest assumption was that being an ex British colony, everyone would speak English. This is far from the truth, many people don't speak any English.

Although the official language is Cantonese, many people also speak Mandarin so either will help you.

Would you say it is cheaper or more expensive to live than Sheffield?

You will spend more money than if you were in Sheffield because of all the opportunities presented to you.

Certain things are cheaper - for example, you can eat out much more cheaply than in the UK whether its on or off campus, also public transport, in particular the trains (MTR) are very cheap. Also campus accommodation is very cheap - about 400 per semester.

Certain things are more expensive, in particular partying. If you like going clubbing then prepare to spend more than if you were in Sheffield, although the clubs and general night life are substantially more impressive than those in the UK.

Any other information or comments?

If you live on campus at CUHK then you will be sharing a room - however this really isn't as bad as it sounds. When I first found out it wasn't something I was looking forward to but my room mate was really nice and living locally he went home at weekends which gave me a bit of time to myself.

It really isn't an issue; no exchange student I met complained about sharing a room as most were sharing with local students who went home at the weekends, so like me, they had time to themselves.