Meet ZHE Taiyu — a local student pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (Global Business & Finance). During his outbound exchange journey at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München in Germany, he’s been expanding his global business mindset, strengthening his finance knowledge, and gaining valuable cross-cultural experience—all while fully embracing student life abroad.

My exchange year at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. The university’s rigorous academic environment challenged me to grow both intellectually and personally. Because each course was assessed entirely through a final examination, I had to remain highly focused throughout the semester, taking meticulous notes and actively engaging in every lecture. This disciplined approach to learning deepened my understanding of the subjects and strengthened my ability to learn independently.

Beyond the classroom, the university library became one of my favorite places on campus. Its peaceful atmosphere, extensive academic resources, and stunning architecture created an inspiring environment where studying felt less like an obligation and more like a rewarding pursuit. Equally valuable were the friendships I formed with students from around the world. Through conversations about our cultures, discussions of global issues, and shared experiences exploring Munich, I gained a deeper appreciation for diverse perspectives. These experiences broadened my horizons and enabled me to view the world through a more diverse and global lens.

Our local student, CHENG Tsz Kei, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Global Business Systems Management and Finance, has strengthened her academic foundation and expanded her global business perspective through her studies at the National University of Singapore.

The exchange experience has significantly enhanced my understanding of my major and broadened my perspective on Singapore’s economic landscape and culture🇸🇬. Through lectures and interactions with professors, I gained insights into local issues, particularly the balance between economic success and challenges such as resilience to external forces and a lack of innovative thinking.

I developed essential skills during this period, notably in utilizing resources to enhance productivity. I learned to leverage AI tools to reduce repetitive tasks and clarify complex lecture concepts. Additionally, my communication skills improved, allowing me to engage more effectively with diverse personalities.

My attitudes have shifted considerably. I’ve become less critical of myself, recognizing the importance of hard work and the value of others’ perspectives in group settings. I’ve also gained a deeper appreciation for the varied challenges societies face, understanding that even successful nations like Singapore grapple with significant issues.

For future growth, I plan to set concrete goals over the next two years, focusing on actionable steps for continuous improvement. I will also refine my learning strategies in co-curricular activities by observing effective teaching methods and enhancing my self-directed learning.

Learning beyond the classroom, growing beyond borders.

LI Letu (Bachelor of Arts - Linguistics and Language Applications) joined the Student Exchange Programme at CityUHK and spent a semester at Northeastern University in the United States.

My overseas exchange semester in Boston has been incredibly rewarding. During my time here, I had the opportunity to meet people from diverse cultural backgrounds and engage in meaningful conversations through which we shared personal stories, perspectives, and everyday experiences. These interactions greatly broadened my understanding of cultural differences and global communication.

Academically, studying in the United States allowed me to experience a highly interactive undergraduate learning environment. Classes emphasized active participation, critical thinking, and discussion-based learning. Completing assigned readings before class and engaging in in-depth discussions pushed me to articulate my ideas clearly and respond thoughtfully to different viewpoints. This approach strengthened both my analytical skills and my confidence in academic communication.

Through this exchange, I deliberately selected several communication-related courses to explore a new academic field. These courses not only challenged me intellectually but also helped me gradually develop a deeper interest in communication studies, particularly in global and intercultural contexts.

Beyond the classroom, living in Boston enabled me to immerse myself in American culture and history. Exploring the city’s neighbourhoods, historical landmarks, and daily lifestyle provided valuable insight into life in the United States. Overall, this exchange experience has significantly enriched my academic journey and personal growth.

POV: you took your studies to Sydney

CHANDRA Michelle Rahardja, our international student from Indonesia pursuing a Bachelor of Social Sciences – Asian & International Studies, took her journey global with an exchange at The University of New South Wales (UNSW)

My exchange experience at UNSW has been inspiring, transformative, and academically significant. I have found lifelong friends at UNSW and have expanded my horizons beyond my comfort zone, even learning more about my own culture through academically rigorous courses. My experience has undoubtedly changed my perspective on many different issues and made me a more empathetic and open-minded individual. As a globally recognized institution with a high ranking, UNSW’s quality is evident in its faculty of exceptional lecturers and its active student body. All the peers I have met have accepted me with open arms and were willing to discuss a wide range of topics, even if our opinions did not align.

Being surrounded by so many people my age who are motivated and driven to achieve their dreams has inspired me to always strive for more, and my time at UNSW has pushed me to consistently give my best in pursuing my life goals . It has also exposed me to more concrete ideas for my future career goals and given me a taste of what my life would look like in a big, diverse city like Sydney.

It has been a privilege and a truly unique experience to have spent a semester at UNSW.

Overseas learning unlocked: SHEN Che (Bachelor of Science - Data Science) spent an outbound exchange semester at Cornell University, USA. He came back inspired by new research approaches and a deeper appreciation for collaborative problem solving.

My exchange semester at Cornell University was a period of significant personal and academic transformation, deeply marked by the experience of cultural differences. I was immediately immersed in the vibrant American campus culture, from the intense school sports games to the diverse student club activities, all of which fostered a strong sense of community and belonging that was distinct from my home institution.

Academically, I experienced substantial growth in my learning capabilities. The dynamic classroom environment, where students actively challenged professors, encouraged me to engage more deeply with complex subjects in Data Science and Statistics. The rigorous schedule, including numerous “prelim” exams and demanding weekly assignments, honed my time management skills and accelerated my learning pace. Collaborating on hands-on projects significantly strengthened my technical skills in mathematics, statistics, and computer science project management. Furthermore, interacting with peers from various backgrounds provided me with invaluable American perspectives on the DS/CS industry, enhancing my international outlook.

This experience also greatly bolstered my adaptability. Balancing a challenging academic load with participation in research communities and cultural events required resilience and flexibility, and also cultivated them. The entire journey, culminating in a memorable gathering with fellow exchange students, was incredibly rewarding.