Queen Mary University of London BSc Medical Genetics student Holly Jane Long says she feels grateful to be studying in Hong Kong this year as part of her degree, but interestingly experienced less culture shock than expected!

My initial decision to study a BSc in Medical Genetics at Queen Mary was both completely spontaneous and honestly petrifying. Defying the cliché yet lifelong commitment to medicine I had been working towards from an early age meant not only a change of studies, but also a shift in my identity and perspective. Despite my fears, I remember the small phrase, ‘with a year abroad’ shining on the application screen and catching my eye like a gem in the mud. 

Granted, home will always be where the heart is for me. However, the idea of venturing abroad for a whole year of my course was exhilarating. It was exactly the motivation a shy, small-town girl needed to go to university a year earlier than planned, and thankfully I did.  

When applying for the exchange placements, I did somewhat hesitate in choosing Hong Kong due to the reported high cost of living and the prestigious reputation of HKU. Nonetheless I knew it was the furthest destination and least similar to home culturally, making it a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience another way of life. I trusted that everything would fall into place if it was meant for me and although I was prepared for potential redirection, being accepted was truly the start of something exciting.

Some personal circumstances over the summer meant I arrived in Hong Kong a few weeks into teaching. Overall I was certainly less prepared than someone probably ought to be when relocating to another continent! In hindsight though it was a blessing to have maximised time spent with loved ones and working hard to save up. I think the best preparation is to go into new situations with a positive mindset and willingness to adapt. This will most often take one further than even the most detailed of plans. 

One practical tip I would share is that it may be more convenient to order bulky essentials like bedding and towels from online sites such as Taobao to your address a week or two prior to arrival. Supermarkets in Hong Kong don’t seem to stock the same variety of homeware as those in other countries and they are troublesome to transport regardless. I feel thankful that I’m able to stay in HKU’s economical and well-located student accommodation, however a mattress or mattress topper in particular is a must for those not used to a firmer, thinner mattress. 

I actually wouldn’t say that I experienced much of a culture shock when moving from London to Hong Kong. Moving from rural Wales to London was more of a shock and perhaps this acted as a bridge between home and study abroad. The biggest difference I noticed here was without a doubt the humid 35°C weather that greeted me upon arrival.

Mosquito repellant and Gatsby cooling products from 7/11 are an absolute necessity. Unexpectedly, I adapted to the heat despite being somebody who adores the snow and thrives in minus temperatures. I do wish I had brought more winter clothes with me in hindsight, as the sudden change in season here led to some mild cold-related illnesses that I hadn’t anticipated. Now I use the MyObservatory app before going out as luckily it’s very accurate in predicting weather and events such as typhoons. 

Secondly, for a global city I was surprised that it seems extremely homogenous, perhaps even more so than my tiny hometown in places and especially compared to London. Personally I have felt very welcome and mostly safe here, although I have unfortunately experienced harassment from male strangers despite reassurances before I arrived that the city is supposedly much safer for women than London. Additionally, I’m shocked at how casually racist some people have been towards others. I’m not a target for this behaviour, but I do think it’s important to acknowledge that not everyone will have the same experiences when travelling, which is a disheartening reality. 

HKU itself is very international with students and faculty from all over the world. My lecturers have been very engaging and I like that tasks have included presentations and other activities less commonly assigned on my course at QM. 

In my free time I enjoy exploring different neighbourhoods using the MTR or bus network; public transport here is world class in all aspects. I am a fan of the sushi here, from chains like Genki and Sushiro with their creative menus, to streetside temaki stands and vending machine onigiri. Visiting the nearby beaches is also a must on weekends, they are honestly picturesque. 

I’m extremely grateful to be receiving Turing Scheme funding as part of GPO’s support, as this will cover my flight home and helps alleviate the cost of studying abroad. Before my second semester at HKU began, I actually decided to use some of this funding to travel to Malaysia! Malaysian food is some of my favourite and Hong Kong’s location made the trip fairly accessible. If you are fortunate enough to have the means, I would definitely recommend travelling to a nearby country during your year abroad. Perhaps if I’m lucky I will also visit Thailand, Japan, or mainland China before I return home! 

It’s difficult to express how much I love Malaysia in a few short sentences, I dream about visiting again and made a lifetime of memories in just two weeks. Each state I explored was simultaneously more vibrant yet peaceful than the last, which was made possible by the coexistence of many different cultures in a way that was both refreshing and inspiring. 

Some highlights of my trip were consuming far too much durian after a day spent exploring Penang’s Snake Temple, and walking alongside Putrajaya’s lake at night under the towering palm trees. My favourite thing about Malaysia is the guarantee you’ll meet wonderful people wherever you go, everybody was so kind and I really learnt a lot from the conversations I had. 

Looking back, I feel as though studying abroad has offered me so much more than fun or academic enrichment. I still have another term left in Hong Kong and I already feel so much more capable and resilient than ever before.I’m so glad that I didn’t give into worries I had when I sat wondering whether to apply for this destination, or whether I ought to pursue my degree at QM at all.Even though it’s natural to fear rejection and embarrassment, I realise now that one will always be more successful by at least applying to these kinds of opportunities than not trying at all, regardless of the outcome. Moreover, while having to purposefully articulate my achievements during the application process strengthened my self-esteem, facing the unfamiliarity of life halfway across the world has helped me gain the confidence to advocate for myself. 

In my opinion, navigating moments of temporary discomfort has been a small price to pay for the feeling of fulfilment I have gained from opening myself up to new experiences and embracing the change that these bring. Studying abroad is possibly one of the best things I have ever done for myself and has led me to some key realisations about what I would like my future to look like. I will always be grateful for this experience and cannot recommend it enough!