Overseas Exchange

QFRM students are encouraged to study and experience life in overseas universities. Over 85% of our students had exchange experiences and they participate in exchanges with universities around the world.  Previous students’ exchange places include:

Australia La Trobe University The University of Sydney University of South Australia Canada McGill University Queen's University University of British Columbia University of Ottawa University of Toronto University of Waterloo York University China Fudan University Nanjing University Peking University Tsinghua University Xi'an Jiao Tong University Czech Republic University of Economics, Prague Denmark Copenhagen Business School Technical University of Denmark University of Copenhagen Finland University of Oulu University of Tampere France Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales TELECOM Ecole De Management

Germany Free University of Berlin Netherlands Maastricht University University of Groningen Utrecht University Singapore National University of Singapore Sweden Lund University Uppsala University Switzerland University of St. Gallen UK Durham University The University of Manchester University of Cambridge University of Glasgow University of Southampton University of Warwick USA Columbia University Georgetown University Lehigh University Miami University The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill The University of Texas at Austin University of California (Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara) University of Pennsylvania University of Notre Dame University of Southern California University of Washington

 

Student Exchange Experiences

Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania Karen Li I am so lucky to have gotten the chance to be an exchange student at the Wharton School in my junior year. The Wharton School is literally the most international environment I have ever been in. The Wharton exchange programme invites about 200 students from 19 different countries and regions all around the world every year. I shared a room with two amazing girls from Dubai and Belgium, and we had a great time together. It’s so exciting to get along with people from all around the world. In addition to the international environment, Wharton also offers various interesting courses. There are more discussions and interactions in class. I definitely recommend courses with group projects or discussions where you can meet other intelligent students in class. The Wharton School is a great place for everyone to reach out to the unfamiliar and finally find the truth about the world and ourselves.

University of California, Berkeley Ryan Liu Studying abroad has always occupied the top spot on my to-do list for university, and it has not disappointed me by any means. Over the past semester, I studied at the University of California, Berkeley as a statistics major in the land of liberty. As a highly competitive programme in a top-notch school, it was really a challenging yet rewarding experience. I could spend hours talking about the unique culture of this world-renowned institution, but the first thing that springs to mind should be its prominent position in the history of educational and political freedom. Cal Berkeley has embarked on a voyage of student activism all the way since the Free Speech Movement, and it has planted its roots deep in the soil of liberty. Booths including those of fraternity and sorority house are found every day on the crowded Sproul Plaza, and the student-run DeCal courses are perfect testimony to the flat bureaucracy operating between the school and the students. Cal has long been nurturing leaders for society in streams ranging from politics and economics to philosophy and science. Describing the study atmosphere as scholastic will surely not be doing Cal justice, as you can indulge in thought-provoking discussion even after class in any corner of the campus as you like. Even for independent courses like Math and Statistics, discussion sections are what make the subject fun. Truth be told, I found students in the States much more willing to participate in discussions, heated at times, and I genuinely enjoyed the interactive sections a lot. Most of the time, it is not the technical skills taught in class, like Newton methods in Numerical Analysis or non-cooperative game theory in Mathematical Economics, that appeal me, it is the process by which the complex theories are derived in class that caught my passion. Saying my dream has been fulfilled is an understatement. But for now, I will chase a following dream, a much bigger one – a master’s degree in the United States – to continue my unwritten story in an exotic land.

University of California, Berkeley Amy Yang I stayed at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) for one year after joining the CUHK exchange programme. UCB provides a variety of exposures so that everyone can find his own place there. In addition to taking a graduate-level financial engineering course, I worked as a research assistant for an economics professor and gained more insight into academic research. Berkeley organised various social events for exchange students and gave me the initiative to build relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds.

University of California, Irvine Dickson Yip I am very glad that I was able to spend my second year at the University of California in Irvine: I had tons of chances to explore new things, and to experience new knowledge, new people and a new life! With a solid foundation from the CUHK, I was able to further my studies in mathematics, statistics and finance through advanced courses. However, studying abroad is more than just learning. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to be a team member of a Student Managed Investment Fund, an association that manages real money for an institution. I learned a lot of practical skills in investment and wealth management through working in the team. I will never forget how I worked through the night with my teammates every week!

Georgetown University Tak Yiu Cheung I went on exchange at Georgetown University during Term 2 of my second year of study. Apart from taking math courses that were related to my major, I also decided to take a course in their world-famous department of political science. I found the course both eye opening and challenging, and in the process of reading course materials and doing research for a 20-page essay, I learnt a lot about the history of various countries and how it came to shape their current political systems. Although I was previously aware that sports are huge in America, I was still surprised by how it permeated every level of their culture, from the popularity of sports bars to the occasional sports reference in everyday conversations. I realise that whilst you can read about other cultures, there is still no better way to truly understand them than to experience them for yourself.

The University of Texas at Austin Charles Tsui Going on exchange is not just studying overseas; it was life changing for me. Over the five months I spent in the US, I would say I changed my mindset towards learning and my attitude of exploring the world. I was so glad to have applied for an overseas exchange programme at the University of Texas at Austin. It gave me a great chance to meet foreign friends. People I met there were extremely helpful to international students, and I could tell they were trying their best to offer advice to help us adapt ourselves to a new environment. Travelling for a half month in Mexico and Guatemala made me grow a lot as well. To be honest, the trip was not easy for me as it was sometimes hard to find someone who spoke English in the smaller cities. Yet being the most adventurous part of my exchange study, it enabled me to truly immerse myself into a culture that was not easily accessible when I am living in a big city like Hong Kong. I will definitely encourage others to grab the chance, go on an exchange and explore something different in your life.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Jessie Li I am Jessie, a year three QFRM student. I am very happy to share my exchange experience with you, and hope it will be useful during your studies at CUHK. I applied for a one-semester overseas exchange study in year one, and began my exchange life at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill last semester. My four months in the US were awesome, and an unforgettable and precious memory for me. I enrolled in five courses there, all of which can be transferred back to CUHK. Besides academia, we enjoyed our time with local students – went to parties, travelled to many cities and often drove to the beach. Believe me, these exchange experiences will change your outlook on university study and different cultures, and may even lead you to rethink your plans for the future. So, if you have the chance, you should definitely apply for exchange study, and make your university life fuller and more colourful.

Sciences Po Leung Wai Nam Studying as an exchange student at Sciences Po for one semester was a truly valuable experience for me. With nearly half of the students being international, Sciences Po provided me with the opportunity to communicate with people from all around the world and learn more about different cultures. I mainly studied International Relations courses at this world-famous political sciences institution, which has nurtured seven of the last eight French presidents. There were many discussions and interactions in class, and I benefited a lot from them. Studying in Europe meant that it was not difficult to travel around. During the exchange period, I stepped on the soil of more than 20 countries and saw many things that I have never seen in Hong Kong. It was a great experience, and I just wish I could have stayed longer.

University of Toronto Tsang Ka Ho I joined the academic exchange programme at the University of Toronto during the fall semester, during which I took courses in Political Philosophy and Finance. The students were very industrious, and the academic environment was good. I travelled a lot during the exchange programme, and I found my travelling experiences to be most remarkable. During the exchange, I went to the US, South America and Cuba, different countries that all have their own unique cultures. I was so impressed by how nice the Cubans are, even though they are not rich. These travel experiences are the best memory from my exchange!

University of Notre Dame Jerry Wang I joined a one-year exchange programme at the University of Notre Dame last year, which was definitely an unforgettable experience for me. It is a Catholic university in the United States, and they held a mass every week in the dorm I lived in. There you could share your happiness with others and also learn from them, and it helped me become involved in the local student life. The University of Notre Dame is also famous for its sports, with one of the best football teams in the country. I joined a family partner programme hosted by the university that aims to build relationships between international students and local American families. Through this programme, I discovered that people there are very friendly, and I learned about the local culture in great depth.

Tsinghua University Michelle Lam Under the QFRM programme, I had the opportunity to take part in two exchange studies, one in the US and one in China. In Beijing, I studied finance and mathematics courses at Tsinghua University for one semester. My classmates, who were the top scholars (“狀元”) of their provinces, were extremely intelligent and hard working. They always analysed business issues critically. I was always motivated to study with them and I enjoyed our discussions very much. In addition to studying, I travelled around China and did voluntary work in rural areas to broaden my horizons. It was a great exchange experience and I wish I could have stayed longer!

University of Waterloo Timothy Ng During the third year of my studies at CUHK, I was very fortunate to be given a chance to join the exchange programme of the University of Waterloo in Canada. The lifestyle in Waterloo is completely different from Hong Kong. People sleep earlier, work fewer hours and never rush. Spending four months here was very relaxing because of the spacious and tranquil environment. Sitting in a coffee shop, leaving all my problems behind and seeing the snow fluttering outside was one of the most enjoyable moments, which you could never experience in Hong Kong. The exchange is not just an opportunity to study in a different country, but also to mingle with students of different nationalities, assimilate into different cultures and become more independent, as you are on your own in a brand new environment. The four months of exchange brought me so many different experiences, and they will never be wiped from my memory. I hope you will enjoy yours as well!

Queen’s University Woody Wong The exchange experience at Queen’s University was really fruitful. I widened my social circle and also broadened my horizons. I lived with four very nice local students. Their lifestyle and ways of socialising were different from ours. They loved to organise parties and have gatherings of friends at their house. On Saint Patrick’s Day, I participated in the celebration by wearing green. To further immerse myself in their culture, I also went to see an ice hockey match, the most popular spectator sport in Canada. It was interesting to interact with Canadians, and to try and understand their ways of thinking and adopt their mind-set. I felt very different when I tried to do this.

Vienna University of Economics and Business Charles Ho I attended my exchange programme at the Vienna University of Economics and Business in Austria from February to June in 2017, where I studied Strategic Management and Social Policy. Besides my study, I also travelled to other countries, many with very beautiful scenery. Many good and bad things happened during my exchange study, and I learned to be much more independent from other people, including my parents. I made so many new friends and experienced their lifestyles, which are quite different from mine. I enjoyed the wonderful moments in Vienna very much, and I found it a much more liveable city than Hong Kong.

University of Toronto Simon Yuan My exchange trip to the University of Toronto was dynamic and exploratory. I had many unique experiences during my school life there, such as attending an astronomy class with more than 1,000 classmates and taking business courses that involved much more discussion and interaction than here in Hong Kong. One great thing about Toronto is that it is easy to meet people from all over the world. This helps improve our communication skills and broadens our horizons. During study breaks, travelling around Canada and the US was a superb choice. Great transport systems make everything convenient. I went to more than 10 cities, including New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Montreal and Quebec City. Of course, parties are also a part of the trip you don't want to miss.

University of Toronto Kelvin Ng Going on an exchange programme is probably the most unforgettable experience you can have in your university life. I spent four months from September to December 2014 studying finance, maths and economics at the University of Toronto, Canada. In Toronto, every day was different, and many opportunities opened up. I was exposed to an environment with a very diverse culture, which enabled me to make friends who came from different backgrounds. My flatmates were from Brazil, Germany and Estonia, and they told new stories about their cultures every day. My exchange experience was further enriched through travelling. I visited Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec, New York, Boston and Washington, and fully experienced the North American and Canadian lifestyle and culture. I also travelled to Yellowknife to seeing the aurora borealis (the Northern Lights), in temperatures below -40 degrees Celsius, which was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The experience and rewards gained from an exchange programme cannot be easily expressed in words. What I can say is that you won’t regret joining the exchange programme while at university.

University of Cambridge Han Xu The exchange experience in Cambridge is marvellous. With the hope of exploring new possibilities, I took three challenging courses, each of which has either changed my stubborn view towards a specific field that I have already learned, or led me into a fascinating field that I have never noticed before. For instance, Foreign Policy Analysis is my favourite. Frankly speaking, it is quite relaxing to take summer courses in Cambridge, where we do not have to worry too much about grades. It is such a cosy environment, letting us think and discuss freely and spark new ideas. One professor stated, “What I need you to do in my class is not agree with me. Disagree with me. Challenge me.” Therefore, I took every class as a chance to challenge the lecturer even though I failed most of the time. But this is the process that inspired me to think and link different subjects like Game Theory, International Relations and Foreign Policy together. For the first time, I gained heightened interest in international affairs such as the Washington Consensus, the Beijing Consensus and the recent 'Grexit' affair. What makes me even more excited is that I am forming my own methodology to analyse what really happens under the surface. Cambridge is such a magical place, full of inspiration and physical beauty. I like life there, where I can take a lecture at the Botanic Garden with a professor who can barely contain himself with excitement about the obscure rituals of the bumblebee, where I can have my floor mate come round for a beer and barbecue and I can listen to the latest stories of his travels, debate with the grey-bearded professor over ancient Roman history and enjoy a cup of steamed milk with chocolate sprinkles on the top with my favourite friends.

Utrecht University, University College Utrecht Wai Li Teng I believe everyone would agree that an exchange programme in Europe wouldn’t be complete without travelling and enjoying the laid-back lifestyle. However, now, when I recall my five-month stay in Europe, I am totally surprised at how vividly the academic experience affected me. Having studied in a liberal arts college, it gave me the privilege of taking subjects that I have never imagined myself learning. The content wasn’t the only specialty of a liberal arts college, but also how the lecturers stimulate students’ interests and contributions in class pinpoints the true value of such college. Hence, I wholeheartedly encourage outgoing exchange students to embrace different learning and ethnic cultures during your exchange sessions. Have a fruitful experience!

National University of Singapore Jason Zou Hi, I am Jason, now a penultimate year major student in QFRM. I participated in an exchange study at the National University of Singapore (NUS) in the second semester of my third year. It was a great experience. The NUS is very beautiful, the people there are nice and the students work very hard, even harder than at CUHK. On the exchange, I did not need to worry about my GPA as I did in CUHK, so I took courses that I was interested in, like Japanese Study and Philosophy, which was great fun. There were orientation activities organised just for exchange students, so it was quite easy to meet students from all over the world and make friends with them. We often went out to have fun, travelled around the nearby countries and talked about different cultures. All in all, going on exchange is like taking a break from the busy study life of CUHK. It is a chance to embrace different cultures, and to experience life in another university in a different country.

Copenhagen Business School Crystal Lee I went on exchange to Copenhagen Business School from August to December 2014. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it benefitted me in many ways, in particular giving me a broader academic view. Unlike universities in Hong Kong, Copenhagen Business School puts much emphasis on oral assessments, and students are given 20 minutes to put together a 10-minute presentation. During the presentation, professors interrupt the students, asking them questions to help them think out of the box. This is very challenging, and recitation alone by no means guarantees a reasonable grade. In short, my academic life at Copenhagen Business School was tough, but very fruitful. I am convinced that the things I learned from this exchange programme will be crucial in my future career.

Sauder Business School, University of British Columbia Henry Lin I was glad to join the exchange programme at UBC for one semester. Their exchange programme offered me a fascinating opportunity to experience cultural differences, travel around Canada and the US and build long-lasting friendships with local friends whom I still regularly contact. During my exchange study, I decided to take fewer courses and spend more time travelling and getting involved in a wide range of different activities. During the 3-month period, I travelled to such places as Calgary, Whistler, Banff, Toronto, Montreal, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago. I tried skiing and skating and witnessed a snowstorm for the first time!

The University of Sydney Bryan Wang Last year, I exchanged at the University of Sydney for five months. That was an unforgettable experience. During my exchange, without too much concern for my academic results, I took a lot of advanced and interesting finance courses and benefited a lot from it. Also, because my student hostel held a party every week, I made a lot of local friends at those parties, and we are still keeping in contact. Furthermore, Sydney is an international city, and only 40% of the people were actually born there. By just simply talking with people on the street, I have heard a lot of interesting stories. During the school vacation, I also travelled to New Zealand. I recommend everyone to go for an exchange, and Australia is definitely a good country for your consideration.

Peking University Alan Liu I went on exchange to Peking University from February to June 2016. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it benefited me in many ways, in particular by encouraging me to think out of the box. The exchange study granted me an opportunity to experience two kinds of totally different university lives. They are different in terms of student background, teaching method, career planning and ways of thinking. This has really broadened my vision and inspired me to believe that experiencing the best/worst parts of the world, instead of being the best/worst employee, makes my life meaningful.