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What motivated you to apply for the DACKEP grant funding?

I had always wanted to do a semester abroad; however monetary issues were the largest deterring factor for me. The DACKEP grant funding allowed me the opportunity to enjoy my exchange to the fullest without having to worry about where the funding would come from.

What motivated you to participate in an exchange program in Hong Kong?

Coming from a Chinese background, being born and raised in Australia, my Cantonese was always quite poor. I was interested in doing a semester outside of ºÚÁÏÉçÇø to expand my world view, and Hong Kong seemed like the perfect place to improve my Cantonese, see what kind of culture and traditions my background has, and do my desired semester outside of ºÚÁÏÉçÇø.

What was the highlight of your exchange?

The highlight of my exchange would just be the thrill and adventure of being dropped alone in an unknown place and having to find my own way. I’ll never forget my first day in Hong Kong, entering my room and realizing I didn’t have a pillow, blankets, or any of the necessities for living. I had to quickly try to find people to ask for help with where to buy these necessities, as well as run to the stores before they closed to make it on time. Luckily, I also met the friends that I would spend the rest of the exchange with on that day.

What challenges did you face during your exchange and how did you overcome them?

The largest challenge was definitely just being alone. Although I had made amazing friends, I still missed my friends and family back in ºÚÁÏÉçÇø a lot. And many nights, if people had assignments due or other commitments, it could get quite lonely to sit in my room trying to find something to do.

What was your biggest takeaway from your experience?

The biggest takeaway from my experience is that I want to explore more of the world. The thrill of exploration, especially solo exploration, is something that can’t be replicated in any other scenario besides travelling. Going at my own pace, gawking at things that probably seemed minor to locals, finding all the hidden little corners of the country I’m in. It’s an irreplicable experience.

Do you have one piece of advice you would tell other students thinking about going on exchange?

Do more research on the place you are going and the university you are going to. When I got to my dorm, I was utterly unprepared to see nothing except a desk and mattress. If I had gotten to my dorm any later than I did, I would not have had the time to rush to the stores to grab all the necessities. 

What new skills or knowledge did you gain from the experience?

I developed many independent skills during my exchange. Having never lived alone in the past, my skills that were required to maintain life were subpar. Things like cleaning, doing dishes, preparing lunch, grocery shopping, doing laundry. All these skills developed quite a bit.

What is something that would entice you to travel back to Hong Kong?

During my stay, I was largely located on Hong Kong island, and while I had also explored a good bit of the mainland, I think there is a lot more explore. I would love to go there with my partner or with my friends one day to share with them all the incredible views and experiences that I had.

How did participating in an exchange influence your personal growth?

During the exchange, I learned a lot about myself. My reliance on others for entertainment and support, as well as my lack of independence skills. The exchange definitely forced me to grow in these ways, by relying less on others and developing my personal skills.

How did this overseas experience impact your academic or career goals?

I would say that the exchange didn’t have a large impact on my academic or career goals, however one of the courses I took during my time overseas was called ‘Robotics’. This is also the field of work I would like to work with in in the future and doing a course on it definitely helped me to reaffirm my love for the topic. 

Did the financial support from the DACKEP grant funding impact your decision to apply or facilitate your ability to participate in the Exchange Program?

The financial support definitely allowed me to enjoy my exchange to the fullest. Certain activities, like travelling to neighbouring countries or going to theme parks and events, were quite costly, and I may have steered away from doing them if I hadn’t received the funding. I would recommend anyone doing an exchange to apply for the DACKEP grant funding, and I would also like to extend a large thank you towards the team for allowing me to get the most out of my experience.