Hong Kong and Beijing students trade venues to further education

World
Europe

‍By CGTN’s Zhao Yunfei

At a college reunion party in Hong Kong, good friends are sharing their first-year experiences after graduating from City University of Hong Kong.

James Liu is a little different than his peers, as he is one of the few students pursuing a graduate degree from the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing.

His decision to study in the Chinese mainland in 2014 was met with some apprehension from his friends. But Liu insisted on going, because he was eager to foster an international mindset.

Dr. Eric Lau (R) advises his former students during the reunion to pursue more opportunities in the outside world. /Picture provided by James Liu

“We have a big group of people, young people here, they seldom had the chance to go to China and they know very little about China," said Dr. Eric Lau, an undergraduate professor who joined the party, “So when talking about China, they have some hesitation.” Lau said although many young people in Hong Kong have a very good impression of the mainland, there is still a lack of understanding.

“They still have some stereotypes in Chinese society. No matter in politics, economy and society and many areas, they think it is not as good as Hong Kong,” Liu said.

But what makes Liu appreciative of the mainland is its education atmosphere. The student says Tsinghua has encouraged him to discover the unknown with critical and independent ways of thinking.

“We can see a lot of opportunities in China, instead of some other negative emotions on it,” Liu said, noting that the Chinese mainland holds great potential. And this summer, Liu has decided on a summer internship in Beijing, instead of traveling the world.

Liu and his parents at the Great Wall of China. Mr. and Mrs. Liu were initially concerned about their son living far away from home. /Picture provided by James Liu

For the summer internship, Liu was hired by his supervisor Zheng Yi at HNA Catering Holding Co, Ltd. Zheng believes that Liu’s special identity can bring fresh ideas to his already diversified team.

“This working place has provided James an environment that lets him grow fast. I think this will be an unforgettable experience for him,” Zheng said.

And Liu has taken advantage of his time as a student in Beijing. When his parents came to visit him in the Chinese capital, Liu successfully proved to his parents that they need not worry about him living away from home.

For Liu, studying on the Chinese mainland is more than just a means to an end. It’s the start of an exciting adventure.

Mainland student explores possibilities in Hong Kong college

As the only mainland student majoring in Environmental Management and Technology at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Liu Suwan initially was puzzled about her career trajectory.

But she soon found out that studying in a university in Hong Kong has more than just academic benefits.

“Education in Hong Kong focuses on developing certain abilities rather than mastering certain knowledge,” Liu said she enjoyed collaborative studying such as group projects.

Liu explained she felt privileged for being unique, because many other students from the mainland were strongly affected by the traditional test-based education and pursued operational based majors, such as engineering.

“All the stuff at school really helps you to find where your passion is,” Liu emphasized how important it is to learn to utilize campus resources. She even travelled with her schoolmates, some are from the mainland and some are from Hong Kong, to rural areas in China such as Guizhou to teach the local kids English and Physics.

“I’ve taken many environmental related and social science related courses, and I really want to see the real world. So I was encouraged to go on this trip,” Liu said the experience had broadened her perceptions on the world.

Liu has thought about studying abroad when she finishes her course in three years, but her future is open to endless possibilities.