Student Testimonial
UG Exchange
Inbound
I absolutely loved Hong Kong, the spirit and the dynamism of the city. This is a picture of me at the peak, and I admired your city and its culture so much I hope to be able to come back soon. HKUST is also an amazing environment to learn, to progress and to meet students from around the world.
More than just living in Hong Kong, I was thrilled to have the chance to study in the Hong Kong University of Sciences and Technology. First, its location and campus makes it ideal. Away from the city center, you can enjoy some space and fresh air there – a luxury in Hong Kong!
Although HKUST, is quite far away from the city centre, the first weeks are entirely dedicated to walking around Hong Kong in the heat and lack of oxygen. The university campus’ location is perfect to discover the New Territories, stretches of long empty beaches and luxurious jungle to hike and to swim in the sea’s hot water.
Outbound
Gordon spent a meaningful semester at UCLA in United States. Rather than one sudden change, the experience slowly shaped how he thinks, learns and sees the world, giving him a broader global perspective. Academically, classes at UCLA were highly interactive. Students were encouraged to speak up, ask questions and share opinions.
Emily gained independence and prioritized self-care through quiet reflection and cooking. She also explored historical sites like Coventry’s St Mary’s Guildhall, hiked the Seven Sisters cliffs, and visited Scotland’s Glenfinnan Viaduct, returning home with transformative insights, cherished memories, and a stronger sense of self.
Beyond the classroom, Yuyu benefited from the institution’s rich academic resources, including talks by politicians and diplomats from European countries and international organizations like the United Nation.
PG Exchange
Inbound
The most valuable thing from the visiting internship program is experiencing the academic environment here in Hong Kong, making new friends here and learning from others, sharing research and learning a little Cantonese (not a lot)!
What I find most valuable about is the profound personal and professional transformation it drives. Immersing oneself in a new culture naturally fosters an open mindset, challenging familiar habits and building adaptability. Beyond that, connecting with diverse people offers fresh perspectives on work and collaboration, completely reshaping how problems are approached. Ultimately, it goes far beyond a standard professional experience—it is a powerful catalyst for growth, cultural discovery, and lasting global connections.
Outbound
The exchange program gave me the opportunity to interact with students from different countries and learn about their cultures. Through group discussions and collaborations in class, as well as field trips organized by the host university, I truly experienced the diversity and inclusiveness of cultures. Overall, the exchange experience was fantastic.
Yongyin CAI
@ Ewha Womans University
The most valuable aspect for me is the seminar-style learning, which includes lots of discussion and critical analysis, alongside the unique opportunity to have PhD students as classmates, offering a glimpse into advanced academic life. The program is already great as it is, and the HKUST PG Exchange team has been exceptionally supportive.
Chang GAO
@ University of Toronto
The smaller class sizes in Germany compared to HKUST, often with fewer than ten students, allowed for deep learning and meaningful interactions with peers who share similar interests. This study experience has been truly invaluable.
Yifei QIU
@ University of Tübingen