An Exchange Student’s Guide to Hong Kong

As a student at ANU, I knew of many friends and acquaintances who had applied for exchange programs in mainly Europe, and if they did venture into Asia, Singapore and Japan seemed to be the popular destinations. Whilst all these places are great, I am here to guide you through the lesser-traversed exchange city of Hong Kong and show you what it is like to be a student here.  

Hong Kong is an incredibly vibrant city that perfectly amalgamates the cosmopolitan and natural landscapes. It is bustling with people, yet you can still find incredible areas where it will just be you and the amazing scenic views that are in abundance here. I will be giving you my top tips to guide you around Hong Kong and show you how Hong Kong is a fantastic exchange location. 

Hong Kong is definitely not lacking in things to do or see, and there are options for everyone! If you are into nature, try out some of the hiking trails which include – the Wilsons trails, hiking Victoria Peak, hiking the mountain next to Ocean Park or going to Sai Kung and hiking there. If you enjoy the beach, try Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay, or any of the beaches further down the coast. If you think you will miss surfing, there is even a surfing beach called Big Wave Bay Beach.  

The thrifting scene is also very active in Hong Kong and for some cheap finds, I would recommend Mee and Gee who have 3 outlets in Hong Kong. There are also plenty of amazing, curated vintage stores but they do tend to be pricey!  

For food and drinks, the options are endless, but I would recommend trying some of the restaurants listed on the Michelin guide. There are also great bars around Hong Kong, including rooftop bars such as Faye and Top Tower and funky bars in Sheung Wan such as Dead Poets Society. There are also many places to go out in the Lan Kwai Fong area and in Sheung Wan as well.  

When coming to Hong Kong, you will realise that the Hong Kong Jockey Club has a huge presence with many buildings named after them, including 4 residential colleges at HKU. As a result, you must go to one of the horse races and partake in the revelry. The most common racecourse that students go to is the Happy Valley Racecourse on a Wednesday Night followed by a night out in Wan Chai. 

Hong Kong is only, at most, a 4-hour plane flight to all major Asian cities. This central nature is the reason why Hong Kong became a key maritime location and why it is incredibly easy to get around Asia from here. As a result, I would highly recommend using this opportunity to travel around and learn from all the incredible Asian countries. Some countries that most students frequent include Mainland China, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Mongolia and many more. With affordable budget airlines such as Hong Kong Express and other forms of transport including trains and buses, getting to and from Hong Kong to other countries is incredibly accessible to all. 

Aside from the four universities that ANU students can choose to attend on exchange, Hong Kong has many more universities. As a result, not only will you meet people from your exchange university, but there are plenty of chances to meet a wide range of people both local and international, from all the universities. These opportunities include a multitude of student events run by third-party organisers that bring together students from all over Hong Kong or just when going out to karaoke places or even dinner. It is always good to keep an open mind so that you give yourself the chance to meet a variety of people! 

In terms of the exchange cohort here, while I have met a few Australians, the vast majority tend to be from North America, Southeast Asia or European countries such as the UK, Germany, Netherlands and Spain. This incredible mix of people, alongside the local students and students from Mainland China and Macau, results in an incredible diversity where you can learn so much from everyone. The international outlook is something that is in abundance in Hong Kong, and if you come here, I urge you to embrace it, learn from it and meet some fantastic people. 

There is still a lot that I have not included in this blog, but I can assure you that there will be something that piques your interest in Hong Kong. It is busy, active, cultural, and lively, and it makes for a great exchange destination!