Exploring a new country and culture at historic time

Mike Chiu finds his exchange experience in Germany fruitful despite the pandemic.

Despite the challenges and restrictions posed by COVID-19, some students have not given up their dream of studying abroad and kept pursuing their exchange to see the world through a different lens. Mike Chiu, a Year-3 student majoring in Global Studies shared his exchange experience in the first semester of 2020-21 at Heidelberg University in Germany.

‘Frankly it was not plain sailing when I first arrived in Germany, especially when I struggled to cope with practising social distancing in a foreign culture. Fortunately, I managed to blend in well with the kind help of my neighbours. Despite the difficulties in the midst of a partial lockdown, my experience is still by far fruitful and enlightening. I am impressed by how enthusiastically engaged the local students are in the discussions of different issues and the inspirational day trips to towns nearby.’ Mike has come to embrace a more self-oriented learning approach during his exchange in the past few months. He is grateful for this invaluable opportunity for him to see a different world at a historic time.

Mike (left) is thankful to his neighbour who helps him to blend into the local life.