Life@HKBU

Greetings everyone! I am Seng Hkawn, a third-year accounting major from Myanmar studying at Hong Kong Baptist University. Before delving into my experiences at HKBU, I feel compelled to share the fascinating background of my identity and where I hail from, which is intertwined with my immigration journey. I come from the Jinghpaw ethnic group, which is also called Singhpo in India and Jingpo in China. My hometown, Myitkyina, is situated roughly two hours from China to the east and seven hours from India to the west. Growing up in a small town, I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to study at HKBU, let alone in Hong Kong. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the admission manager for her unwavering support during the admission process, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for extending outreach efforts beyond urban areas to ethnic minority communities to promote HKBU.

As a recipient of the Belt and Road Scholarship, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to HKBU for providing a wide range of financial aid options, including scholarships, sponsorships, and part-time on-campus jobs. This support has allowed me to pursue higher education in Hong Kong. Moreover, the various centres within the university, such as the career centre, leadership and qualitative centres, and international offices, offer a plethora of programs and opportunities, including job opportunities, leadership programs, and student exchange programs. As a result, my student life at HKBU has been a colourful and fruitful journey. During my first year in Hong Kong, I faced challenges adapting to the fast-paced lifestyle and homesickness. However, I was fortunate to meet a kind non-local mentor who introduced me to a group of international students from different countries residing in the same building. Cooking and exploring the city with them helped me overcome my homesickness. Now, I have made friends from Hong Kong, Morocco, India, Kenya, Mainland China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and even various parts of Myanmar. They have made Hong Kong feel like home to me.

Thanks to the School's support, I've been fortunate to participate in a variety of programs that have enriched my knowledge and provided me with unique experiences. For example, during my first-year summer break, I completed a remote accounting internship in Singapore, which was arranged by the Career Center. Starting in my second year, I also worked as a part-time barista at Pacific Coffee on campus and a student helper at the Career Center. These experiences helped me gain practical skills, and financial independence, and even made some great friends. Additionally, in my second year, I took part in a community experience project offered by the Leadership Qualitative Center and volunteered at a local youth centre, which allowed me to connect with local people and gain valuable insights. Currently, I'm participating in an extended exchange program in Zhuhai, China, arranged by the International Office. This has allowed me to explore mainland China and now I'm on a student study trip in the Middle East to learn about and appreciate the rich Arabic culture.

The opportunities, resources, and support that I have received have been truly invaluable, and I am incredibly grateful for the chance to be a part of such an esteemed academic community of Hong Kong Baptist University.

Colorful Student Life at HKBU

If everything happens for a reason, then a young person from a developing nation will have the best opportunity to study at Hong Kong Baptist University for the reasons I could ever imagine.

There are many exciting prospects for me as an international student from Myanmar at Hong Kong Baptist University. Due to the opportunity to study marketing and entrepreneurship, two fields of study I am enthusiastic about, as well as the abundance of learning opportunities that make my study as a student at HKBU "COLORFUL," my stay here can therefore be described as "DYNAMIC."

I remember the Admission Manager saying, "Create a colorful student life at HKBU" during the Zoom orientation session for 2022 admission students. By taking use of this amazing opportunity to study at Hong Kong Baptist University, I am creating a vibrant university student life by participating in campus events and ensuring that I study what I am passionate about. As a result, the student life at HKBU is an excellent stepping stone for my career preparation, complete with a vibrant community.

During my colorful student life at HKBU, I formed an enjoyable community not just with international students but also with local students by participating in numerous HKBU programs. By becoming a Student Ambassador at the School of Business HKBU, I obtained valuable public speaking skills and a larger network with my local friends to learn about Hong Kong culture. As a Belt and Road Scholarship Recipient, I attended the 2023 Belt and Road Summit as Myanmar's Student Ambassador, where I learned valuable information about the Asia Market for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Investment. Aside from these types of student ambassador moments, one of the most colorful aspects of a student's life is participating in the service trip organized by Hong Kong Baptist University's Leadership and Quality Center. I gained a great lesson about broadening one's horizons by absorbing knowledge from diverse civilizations. In addition, I always go hiking and enjoy the sunsets at Hong Kong's stunning beaches during my free time.

In addition to studying what I love, I have been participating in a number of student activities, which have given me a lot of learning opportunities. These kinds of events gave me a fantastic opportunity to get to know myself better and discover my potential at HKBU in a plethora of vibrant ways!

How colorful HKBU student life is!

Cambodia Service Trip with HKBU Leadership Quality Centre

Attending the Belt and Raod Summit 2023 as a Student Ambassador from Myanmar representing HKBU

Moment with HKBU School of Business during the Leadership Training of Student Ambassadors Camp

A Hike to Pat Sin Leng Country Trail with Myanmar Students

ALI is one of our Cultural Ambassadors from Bangladesh. As a dedicated representative of his country and a passionate advocate for cross-cultural understanding, ALI has played a pivotal role in fostering a sense of community and inclusivity at HKBU. Through his unique experiences and perspective, ALI has enriched the lives of both local and international students, promoting cultural awareness and appreciation. Let us now hear directly from ALI as he shares his inspiring journey and the impact of being a Cultural Ambassador at HKBU.

The Bengali New Year, also known as Pohela Boishakh, is a significant cultural celebration for Bengalis all over the world. As a cultural ambassador and a student leader, organising the Bengali New Year 2023 event at HKBU was one of the most important and impressive experiences of my life. It was a huge undertaking, and one that I had never attempted before. But with the support of my team, we were able to pull it off successfully, and it was the first time that the event had ever been organized in the history of HKBU. The celebration was a symbol of hope, new beginnings, and prosperity. It was a lot of work, but I was passionate about making it happen, and was committed to making it a success. The day of the event was truly unforgettable. We had decorated the venue with colorful banners and cultural decorations, and the traditional Bengali food that we had arranged was a huge hit with everyone who attended. We even performed a few local dances and singing performances, and they put on a mesmerizing show that had everyone on their feet. The atmosphere was electric, and it was amazing to see so many people coming together to celebrate the Bengali New Year. It was an incredible feeling to be a part of something so historic, and to see the impact that it had on the community. The event brought people together, and it helped to promote cultural awareness and understanding. It was a reminder of the importance of celebrating our differences, and of the power of community. It was an opportunity for everyone to celebrate and showcase their culture and traditions. The event also served as a platform for non-Bengali students to learn more about the Bengali culture and appreciate its beauty. It was a celebration of hope, joy, and the spirit of togetherness. The event was a resounding success, and I hope that it becomes an annual tradition at HKBU, bringing together students from all backgrounds to celebrate the Bengali culture. Since you can have the privilege of organising cultural events, you have the power to make a positive impact in the community. You can bring people together from different cultural backgrounds to share their traditions, beliefs, and customs.

This programme aims to promote cultural understanding and respect among different communities and create a more inclusive society. Lastly, you can improve your leadership skills and experience to mentor and support other young people who are interested in making a positive impact in their communities. By sharing your knowledge and experience, you can inspire and empower the next generation of leaders to create positive change in the world. In conclusion, joining the cultural ambassador programme was an experience that I will always cherish. It taught me so much about leadership, teamwork, and the power of community, and it showed me that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.

Gaston HONORE
Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons.) (HKBU-NEOMA Business School Double Degree Programme)  Entrepreneurship

My name is Gaston Honore. I am a 22-year-old Frenchman now pursuing a double degree in International Management and Entrepreneurship at HKBU. I had time to visit several monuments in Hong Kong (blue house, 10 thousands Bouda and many temples). I am passionate about Asian culture, being a student here is a good opportunity, the city is very dynamic, it is challenging. How can I talk about Hong Kong without mentioning the food, I enjoy discovering the different Chinese and local dishes. I have just started my studies in Hong Kong and I am already convinced that I have made the right choice. It's full of professional opportunities here. Besides, Hong Kong is also an extremely international city which makes it easy to discover new cultures and make many friends.

Sharon TAN
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Visual Arts

Stepping into a foreign country on my own was one of the most challenging and life-changing decisions I'd ever made. As an Indonesian student, I was easily perplexed by Hong Kong's new culture and lifestyle, where everything is fast-paced and, at times, individualistic. When I first arrived, knowing almost no one, it was easy to feel lonely as I walked through campus for the first time. Despite the feeling of anxiety that came rushing in, Hong Kong Baptist University has provided me with a warm and inviting community. I remember my non-local mentor from the halls treating me to lunch on my first day and showing me around campus; a fellow friend brought me over for dinner and showed me around Hong Kong. And even though I was far away from home, the pleasant and welcoming atmosphere of HKBU had made me feel at peace. I was able to develop unexpected new friendships that I absolutely treasure now, and that itself has broadened my perspective as I hang out with my people from various countries and backgrounds. Because of the diverse population, I decided to join in a language exchange; HKBU connected me with a super nice local student (who I now consider a really good friend!) so that I could learn Cantonese and familiarize myself with Hong Kong culture.

Aside from the variety in forming new relationships, HKBU gives several possibilities for students to try out new activities. As a student helper, I once took part in a collaborative art fair where we taught the elderly different ways of producing art; it was nice to see them take the time to come to campus and socialize with us.Not to mention the numerous events that HKBU hosts and promotes, such as the "BU Ideas Galore!" start-up competition in which my friends and I competed in. These opportunities have broadened my horizons and enabled me to explore new knowledge outside of my current major (Visual Arts). Even having an already multi-cultural student body at HKBU, the university never settles and always allows us to engage with students from across the world, such as the global case challenge with Ryerson University students that I participated in at the end of March! We were able to meet new friends and collaborate together over the week. Maybe for international students who may be concerned about their needs, HKBU not only provides extensive financial assistance, but also offers us the option to work as a part-time employee on campus. As for myself, I was fortunate to get hired as a graphic designer at HKBU's European Documentation Center, where I was able to meet new people and receive valuable experience working in a sector connected to my degree.

Particularly while we are in class, the professors always facilitate and are eager to help us after class. I 've learned so much by discussing ideas with not just my lecturers, but also my classmates! HKBU made the learning experience more hands-on and engaging by inviting us to valuable Co-Curricular Learning talks or seminars, and even organizing a field trip to a Central art gallery! HKBU has always been supportive of my path into being a university student who can experience a variety of interesting and exciting activities despite the constraints of the pandemic, from the admission process to the conclusion of my freshman year. I am so thankful and glad that I am able to receive this award from the university, to create valuable memories with friends and learn so much in class and outside of class from my first year at HKBU. I will continue to work and study hard to make valuable contributions to the community!