Global Business Exchange Programs

HKUST

London Times lists Hong Kong University of Science and Technology among the top 50 universities in the world. The school admitted its first students in October 1991. The University is housed in a hillside and waterfront complex overlooking Port Shelter on the Clear Water Bay peninsula, less than 30 minutes' driving time from central Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is a vibrant city imbued with international outlook, cosmopolitan lifestyle, and Chinese culture. This is one of our more competitive exchange offerings; if you are interested in HKUST it is best to see your advisor and apply well before the posted deadline.

Semester dates for the fall are approximately Sept 1 - Dec 22, 2006.

HKUST Web site

Information about living expenses

From a student at HKUST - Fall '05

"I was hesitant to go abroad in the beginning, but I am so glad that I went. Study abroad is the best thing students can do when they are in College. Study Abroad allows one to meet all kinds of different people and make new friends. You are sure to make new friends abroad, even if you are an anti-social person. Everyday is an adventure, there are so many things to do but not enough time. At the moment, there is less than one month left before leaving Hong Kong and I am already thinking about how tough it will be to leave this place.

Although, study abroad in any country will be an amazing experience, I would recommend Hong Kong because of a good educational, cultural and traveling experience. Also, the campus offers some amazing views in the morning (it felt like a resort until school picked up).

From an educational standpoint, UST is the best business school in the whole of east Asia in many fields, like Accounting and Finance research is number one in East Asia. Furthermore, its Executive MBA program is number 2 in the world. The educational system is almost exactly like in USA. All required courses are in English. All of my professors were not Chinese: 3 American, 1 Danish and 1 Indian professors. The classes use American books and are conducted in the same way. (Exactly the same books here are about 4 times cheaper). Lastly, Hong Kong gave me a very good introduction into China, its economy and the mentality. With the emergence of China as an economic power, getting to know the region will become useful in the future. Also, in Hong Kong, you do not need to know mandarin to get to know China. The only drawback is that the grade is curved.

Culturally, Hong Kong is very different from the west. The mentality of the people is different and the food is different (something to get used to). I believe that I got a much better experience because everything is new and different, but also Hong Kong is very much oriented towards US, and in that sense a lot of things are similar.

In terms of traveling, one can fly anywhere for reasonable prices. It is very well situated for one to go to China (1 hour train ride), Mongolia, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia and India. The travel laws are very good.

Recommendations:
If you plan to enjoy the traveling and cultural aspects, then I do not recommend taking hard courses like Accounting and Finance courses, where you do get a lot of work and attendance is required. MGTO (Management) courses are not so hard and interesting courses, where Entrepreneurship (very good course and teacher), Judgment and Decision-making and Negotiations are recommended. Also, SOSC (sociology) course are recommended to broaden your knowledge about China. In general courses are comparable in difficulty to US, sometimes harder and sometimes easier.

Indicate New Hall as your preferred accommodation since it's the best hall and most recently built. You can try to get into the apartments, but there is a very small chance."

From a student abroad - Spring '05

"Studying at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, living in Hong Kong, and making friends from all over the world gave me an experience that I could have never gotten anywhere else. It was an especially unique and such a dynamic experience that I came back a new person with eyes opened to a bigger world outside Maryland and the United States.

Studying abroad took away my fear of how I would cope in a foreign environment, and I definitely have an insatiable craving for traveling now."

From two students abroad - Fall '04

"The HKUST exchange program is awesome - most people when they hear "Hong Kong," they think great city life, great shopping, and one of the biggest financial districts in the world. What surprised me was that HK has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world as well...especially at HKUST. Our school is right on Clear Water Bay, so you wake up and walk to class, while looking out at mountains and water. UST also has one of the best business programs in HK, so the classes are challenging, and the professors are good. Experiencing the different culture has by far been the best part. I think that since I am Chinese, it might be different for me, but I love getting back to "my roots," and seeing how I might have turned out if my parents never immigrated, if I grew up here."

"This experience has surely opened the world to me, and has allowed me to view life from an entirely different perspective. Also, the time that I have spent here in Hong Kong has been challenging, rewarding, and life-changing, to say the least. I am enjoying my stay here in Hong Kong, and look forward to my travels next semester to study in London."