The Experience
Exchange@HKIEd
Melissa Crawford
The University of Newcastle
Exchange to Hong Kong Institute of Education
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to participate in this extended cross-cultural exchange programme.
I have commenced my studies at the Hong Kong Institute of Education and am delighted with the academic and personal support provisions that have been made available. During my stay in Hong Kong I will be completing my third year secondary English and History teaching practicum in an Australian International High School. International English teaching is a prospect that I wish to explore. The opportunity for professional development will be facilitated through the acquisition of in-context strategies for teaching English as a second language. I am confident that this experience will prove invaluable to my future career.
I am currently living at the Robert Black Hall dormitory on Tai Po campus. Prior to moving to Hong Kong, I was unacquainted with this style of living. After living here now for three weeks I have made many friends who have helped me to understand the cultural differences and similarities between Australia and Hong Kong. We have mutually benefited from learning each others’ cooking methods, language and social customs.
Although I have no understanding of Cantonese or Mandarin, the language barrier has not presented as a problem because the students have enjoyed practicing their English on a native English speaker. The students have been kind enough to take me sightseeing and shopping. Overall I am finding the Chinese people to be friendly and warm and open to welcoming me into their friendship groups. I am thoroughly enjoying my stay here.
This exchange programme has thus far been culturally eye-opening. I am anticipating many more positive experiences. I would encourage Cheung Kong Limited to continue to offer this programme into the future. I am sure that many other Australians would enjoy the professional and personal benefits that I have encountered thus far.
Colin Lochrie
Flinders University
Exchange to Hong Kong Institute of Education
When I first found out that I was going to Hong Kong on an exchange, I was naturally a little nervous. I have done a lot of traveling in the past but never to study. I remember wondering if I had done that right thing by accepting the offer. Now that I am here and enjoying every minute, it turns out I had nothing to be nervous about. From the moment I stepped off the plane I have been looked after extremely well. The exchange programme officers, lecturers and fellow students have been thoroughly accommodating.
Through participating in this exchange I have been able to experience Hong Kong’s culture and soak up its atmosphere and energy. Student life here is good and not as demanding as I thought it might be. I have had time to explore Hong Kong and learn its mass transport train system which is exceptionally efficient and easy to use. Whether I’m traveling with a fellow student or on my own, I enjoy jumping on and off the trains and being caught up in the hustle and bustle. People here always in a hurry with intent in their eyes and for some reason, whether you are in a rush or not, you end up being just as driven to get from point A to point B as fast as you can. It’s great!
The Hong Kong Institute of Education is a University second to none. The campus is only ten years old and its facilities are word class. No expense was spared in building this amazing school. I have been taking full advantage of things like the Olympic standard swimming pool, gymnasium, squash courts and artificial turf soccer pitch. I have also joined the school’s soccer team. We train and play at the HKIEd Sport Centre, located just off campus. Four times a week I get on the sports shuttle bus and travel to the sports centre and play on the best soccer pitch I have ever played on. They have grandstand with undercover seating for 1,200 spectators and the surroundings are inspirational.
As I said before, I have done a lot of traveling and had some amazing experiences, but I think that this exchange has been the most fascinating thing that I have ever done. I have not only learnt a lot about Hong Kong’s culture but I have also learnt a lot about myself through coming here. I would totally recommend the exchange to anyone and hope that they would have as much fun as I am having right now
Lin Jun Cai
Shenzhen University
Exchange to Hong Kong Institute of Education
Smiling Faces, Warmth and Enthusiasm: Many thanks HKIEd
As time flies, my exchange programme is going to an end and I’m going back to my home university. The days here are really educational and enlightening. I have made many friends with both the staff and students who have helped and taught me a lot during these four months. My stay couldn’t be such an amazing experience if I hadn’t met the special teachers and students here.
I still remember the first day when I came to the class and had no idea what to expect, but to my surprise, everyone said hello to me and introduced themselves. My nervous and restrained moods soon disappeared, and since I have experienced an enjoyable life at HKIEd. What most impressed me during my stay at HKIEd are the enthusiastic teachers. From their excellent lessons, I can tell they are enjoying teaching and they are passing their enthusiasm onto their students, the new generation of the teachers. I have begun thinking, what if one day I would became one of them?
Before I came to HKIEd, I never thought about becoming a teacher, because I felt it boring doing the same things everyday and felt it would be troubling dealing with the naughty boys and girls. However, my view has totally changed after I communicated with the teachers here, especially Ruby Yang, one of my English teachers, who is really fond of teaching. She shares with us much about her teaching experience in secondary school, which is impressive, interesting and challenging. From her words, I know it’s definitely hard to become a good teacher, it requires not only the effort of gaining professional knowledge but also the heart for lightening the students. It’s challenging but meaningful, because they are doing a great job for the new generation of the human beings. Teaching is not what I had considered it to be, instead, it involves many profound works of other fields, such as philosophy, sociology and psychology that one needs to learn before he or she walks onto the teaching stage and talks to their students. Now, I have become very interested in discovering more about being a teacher. I ask myself, "So why don’t I become a teacher and make a difference."
Regretfully, how fast time flies! I can’t believe these four months have already passed. I am very sad to see it all end. All of the things here have become part of my daily life, and it will be strange if I don’t have them anymore. I will never forget the smiling faces and warmth I have experienced, and I’m looking forward to coming back again to relive such remarkable times.
Thank you!
HKIEd students on exchange
Mancy Chan
Hong Kong Institute of Education
Exchange to Flinders University of South Australia
Comparing my expectations before this exchange program began, only one sentence comes to mind: “My dreams came true!” My expectations mentioned in my application letter were the usual hopes of studying abroad, meeting new friends, etc.
All of these hopes have been achieved. In addition, many other unpredicted experiences can be counted as bonuses. For example, I immersed myself into Australian culture by joining an Australian footy game outing for exchange students organized by the International Student Service Unit (“ISSU”) of Flinders University, South Australia. One of the international students who sat next to me was a huge fan of this local game. His explanation of all the rules and tricks in the match only made the game more pleasurable for me. In fact, it was my first time to watch a sports game live. I still cannot forget the moment when one of the players made a shot, and the cheering fully filled the stadium. The fans were so supportive of their team which also made me scream and hurrah with them.
This program provided me with a deeper understanding of Australian culture, not to mention Aussie English and its aboriginal culture!
Kwok Ka Yin, Camille
Hong Kong Institute of Education
Exchange to the University of Newcastle, Australia
Firstly, I would like to thank Cheung Kong for giving me the opportunity to join the study exchange programme in the summer semester of 2005, studying at The University of Newcastle, Australia. During that period of time, I learnt a lot from university and met many friends from different countries.
Though my major subjects were Chinese and Putonghua in Hong Kong, whilst I was studying overseas, I wished to explore other fields and dabble in academic fields other than my major study. For instance, I enrolled in Linguistics and English Literature courses in Australia. I aimed to broaden my horizons as the content of those courses were fresh to me. In addition, as my future career goal is to be a teacher, I also selected an education course in Australia. It gave me a valuable opportunity to learn some different teaching methods and skills. Undoubtedly, those experiences are of great importance to my future career. What I most appreciated was that the teachers are very friendly and helpful. They gave me much support when I faced difficulties; I felt that the University was full of love and caring people.
Moreover, I met many lifetime friends during the exchange. Even though we were not from the same countries, we were very close and met up often, having dinners and parties and going traveling. I had the chance to learn about different cultures - not only about Australia, but also the Netherlands, Naples, Japan etc. It was a good chance for me to get in touch with different kinds of people and their lifestyle.
In terms of traveling, I visited Melbourne, Sydney and some small towns in Newcastle during the semester break and weekends. I just went with one or two Australian friends. During the trips, just like a tour guide, they told me more about Australia. I am so happy that I learnt so much from those trips.
I would like to say that although the beginning of the exchange was hard, I soon adapted to the lifestyle and made new friends. I felt disappointed that I did not have enough time to enjoy the life in Australia. I have to say that the 4 months in Australia was the happiest time in my life, and my ways of thinking and expectations of my future have changed a lot. Finally, I really appreciate Cheung Kong for giving me such an opportunity to join this exchange programme.
Fong Fong
The Hong Kong Institute of Education
Exchange to Stranmillis University College
It is a great experience for me to study in North Ireland for four months. North Ireland is a beautiful place, and the people there are very nice. Can you imagine when you walk along the street; people will smile and say good morning to you? Still remember the first day in the school, the students gave us a cup of tea and some biscuits that was great presents for us as we were starving after the long flight!
During the four months exchange, I did learn a lot. Not only learning in class, but also how to communicate with international students. The teaching style in North Ireland is different from Hong Kong, teachers won’t speak too much during the lesson, they provide time for students to express their own points of view. The students are active learners, the teachers give them guidelines and they will get information by themselves! The schools have so many international students. They come from different countries, e.g. USA, Dutch, Mexico, Spain and even South Africa. All of us will sit together and exchange our own culture. As we are the only Chinese girls, they are all interested in Chinese culture. I realize Jacky Chan is really an international super star, the only person many Westerners know is Jacky Chan! The local people are nice too, during the weekends we visit their houses! One of them has a big farm, with lots of sheep, cows, it was so exiting! We became a one day farmer! Besides, during the long holiday, we visited other parts of Europe. This really widened our horizons. No wonder the Chinese says: “ 讀萬里書,不如行萬里路”!
The exchange experience is invaluable; if you get the chance, don’t miss it!
Lam Kwai Wan
The Hong Kong Institute of Education
Exchange to Nanjing Normal University
本人於今年二月至七月期間去了南京師範大學交流學習了半個學期，我很高興參加了此種交流活動，因在這短短幾個月裡面，增長了不少見識︰
首先︰我學到更多的知識︰如我在南京師範大學就報讀了推拿按摩﹑瑜珈及食品工藝學等課程，這些課程對於主修家政且沒有交流活動的學生來說，是不可能學到的。
其次，我的普通話水平也進步了不少，因在交流期間，我們是用普通話跟當地的人交流的，所以我們有很多講普通話的機會。此外，當地的老師和學生也很熱心教我們，在和他們交談時，他們會教我們如何發好字音。
另外，我們還遊覽不少中國的名勝古蹟，如除了遊玩南京外，還到周邊的地方遊玩，如杭州﹑上海﹑北京﹑黃山等地，這些都是一些風景優美，有很多遊人會到的旅遊勝地。除了可以玩外，還可以品嚐到各到不同的美食，有些美食在香港是吃不到。
總括而言，這次交流很有意義，不但擴闊我的視野，還豐盛我的個人成長！
