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Education University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong 2023/2024 Partner universities

Personal data
Mobility type:
study

Faculty at MU:
Faculty of Social Studies

Field of study:
International Relations and European Politics / International Relations and European Politics

Level of study during period of placement:
Master

Language used:
English

Summer/winter school?:
no

Period of studies:
autumn 2023

Period of placement (from-to):
2023-08-30 - 2023-12-16

Number of months:
3.5

Activities before my departure abroad
Where can information be found about courses taught at the foreign school?:
University website, or excel sheet sent via email

Which documents were needed for acceptance at the foreign university?:
Application for Student Exchange Programme, Proof of English proficiency - B2 is a minimum, Motivation letter, Visa application, Insurance Confirmation, Admission offer

How far ahead did you have to organise your acceptance?:
I applied in December, got selected in February, and went on exchange in August

Did you need a visa?:
yes

Documents and materials needed for a visa:
Study visa application form, Bank statement with sufficient funds

Length of wait for visa:
In my case it was more than three months

Fee for the visa:
1500 CZK

Studies
Did you have a Learning Agreement signed before your departure?:
yes

If not, why not?:

Before your departure did you know how your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
Yes, they would be recognized as voluntary courses

During your stay did you change your Learning Agreement?:
Yes

When and how did course registration take place? Are there any restrictions? Possibilities of making changes?:
Registration takes place at EduHK information system, it is possible to make changes within first two weeks of studies only

Did you take any examinations at the foreign school?:
Yes, I had one exam in the form of written test which lasted 120 minutes, and then other exams in the form of research papers and group projects

Does the school use the ECTS system?:
- choose option -

If not then explain how the credits there were recalculated into ECTS:
1 local credit = 3 ECTS

Describe the teaching methods (theory, practical and projects) and assessment of students:
Similar to MUNI, there are lectures every week, theory plus presentations, written assignments, group discussions, etc. It really depends on the classes you are taking as the uni offers many classes from tech to arts.

Quality of teaching in comparison with home school:
it depends on particular classes and teachers but on average it seems to be similar but some classes are taught in a more engaging way than at MUNI

How did you receive study materials?:
Yes, teachers send all PDFs and PPTs needed

Can you recommend an interesting course/subject/teacher?:
I was studying environmental management, so in this field, I would recommend the Environmental Impact Assessment class. But other students were taking ceramics, for example, or Hong Kong Studies.

How well is the school library equipped?:
The library is this uni's gem. It is equipped with computers, Mac's, you can borrow drones, videocameras, GoPros. There are four floors and endless rooms you can book for studying. You can also borrow books, their collection is quite good, or they can also order you a book you need - I did that. It was my favorite place to study, chairs and sofas are really comfy.

Availability of computers, internet access, level of software needed, requirements on notebook:
Wi-fi network is available on campus everywhere, and computers and laptops are available. Many local students use iPads for taking notes, so I would recommend taking yours in case you owe one.

Options from printing and copying:
You can easily copy and print whatever you need for free until a certain limit of over 100 pages.

Does the foreign school/student organisation arrange special events for exchange students?:
yes

If yes then what?:
Welcoming events, BBQ, and a couple of excursions and hikes

How would you assess your integration with the local students (evaluation like in school from 1 to 5 with 1 as highest):
3

or describe in your own words:
I am giving it a 3 because I have not really made local friends, meaning students who are full time students. I have made good friends with exchange students and for me it was more than enough given the fact I have spent only three months in the country. Locals are known to be very shy and reserved but it does not mean you cannot be friends, many people make local friends, so I think it just depends on what you are looking for.

Practical questions on your placement
Where did you live?:
I lived in Northcote Hall, in a double shared room. The hall is located right on campus 1-5 minutes away from study rooms.

Cost of accommodation - monthly:
200 EUR

Additional comments to the price of accommodation (as to what the price includes):
Hall fee, a couple of extra fees at the beginning of your stay. The price includes electricity but does no include AC use, so you pay for the use of air conditioning yourself depending on how much you use it. It is crucial in hot months but not really necessary when it's below 20 degrees.
I paid for a double room and highly encourage future students to get a double or single room as triple rooms are way too small for living there long term. Also, your experience can be highly affected by your roommates who you cannot choose but they will be assigned to you.

Describe the equipment. Tips for future students – what should they bring with them?:
The rooms are decent but not new. You will have to buy your bedding like pillows and sheets. Anything you will use at the kitchen for cooking and eating too.

How and how far ahead should accommodation be organised?:
A couple weeks before you arrive the registration online begins. I would recommend either getting a single room or a double room with other exchange students. Also, if you can get a big apartment to share with other students in JC hall it will be even better.

What are the catering options?:
several canteens, seven eleven on campus, but I mostly cooked in the kitchen

What are the rough costs of groceries (compare with Czech prices):
Everything is more expensive than in CZ, so I would recommend buying food at markets and not supermarkets as the latter can be really expensive.

Transport to location of placement:
The university arranges buses to pick you up at the airport. After that you can use shuttle buses that take you to the nearest metro station, also mini bus 26, or taxis. It is important to mention - the campus is located far away from the city center, it will take you around 1,5 hours to reach the center.

Rough prices for transportation:
Campus to the city center - Hong Kong Island - around 70 czk

Tips for purchasing cheap tickets and other recommendations:
Get a student Octopus card ASAP

What are the local transport options (public transport, cycling, on foot, rough prices):
MTR
buses
minibuses
bicycle

What kind of formalities have to be arranged before arrival, for example residence permit?:
Student visa, hall registration

What health insurance did you use? (rough price, advantages, disadvantages, is it necessary to arrange insurance at the university other than your home (Czech) insurance?):
I used ISIC annual travel insurance as it was the most affordable one, 3500 czk a year

Did you have any experience with medical treatment abroad?:
I had to see a doctor a couple of times, there is a medical center on campus, and you pay 20 HKD for a visit and then get to see a doctor and get basic medication for the price. But the quality of services is quite basic so if you have serious issues better go to a hospital

Did you work during your studies?:
No

What are the conditions for working for MU students?:
You are not allowed to work according to visa rules

Tips for free-time activities:
Sports on campus, exploring local food and drinks, hikes and nature, many galleries and museums, cinemas, shopping malls, flea markets, etc. Basically like any other big city

Financial support and expenses
Total grant from Centre for International Cooperation:
70000 CZK

Monthly grant in CZK:
20000 CZK

Number of supported months:
3,5

Total number of months:
3,5

What other sources did you make use of to finance your placement?:
Own money, parent's support, make sure to have extra savings before going to HK as it's quite expensive

If you received another grant, state which and how much in CZK:

 
Total fees associated with enrolment at the university:
500 HKD

a/ amount of enrolment fee:
500 HKD

b/ amount of tuition fees:
0 HKD

c/ amount of other fees (which):
0 HKD

 
What was your average monthly expenditure?:
9000 HKD

a/ of which for accommodation:
1600 HKD

b/ of which for catering:
3000 HKD

c/ travel and recreation:
4000 HKD

Any comments to the average monthly expenditure:

Recognition of foreign studies at the home faculty
How many credits did you gain during your studies (in the system of the foreign school)?:
15

How many ECTS credits were recognised at MU?:
30

Did you know in advance which of your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
Yes, you know when signing the LA

What problems did you have with recognition?:
The semester has not been finished yet so I will see how recognition works

Overall assessment
Assessment of personal benefit (1 = excellent):
1

Assessment of academic benefit (1 = excellent):
2

Evaluate the information and support provided by the foreign school (1 = excellent):
3

Did you encounter any serious problems during your stay:
I had issues with some teachers from MUNI who were not ready to arrange any online participation in classes or be understanding.
Also, my room was flooded during the typhoon of September 2023.

What would you recommend to take with you:
Bedding for first nights, certain foods and medicine you buy here just to be safe. But generally you can buy anything in HK

What most surprised you at the partner university in a positive way:
Well-equipped and technologically developed university, with a great campus surrounded by beautiful nature, a free gym, swimming pool, and sports facilities.

What most surprised you at the partner university in a negative way:
Students, teachers, and locals overall don't speak good English, campus is too far away from the center so you always have to spend a lot of time on public transport. Student hall management is inflexible when it comes to selecting roommates, asking to move to another room, or asking for a separate room when you roommate has a cold.

Further comments: