My HKU Exchange: Stories of a Lifetime

Looking back on my exchange in Hong Kong, it felt like an incredibly dazzling yet transient past life. It was a journey of unfettered exploration—academically, socially, and personally-free from what we once were and free to become something new.

During those 5 months, I took 5 courses in computer science and statistics, visited 5 companies in the dynamic local market, and traveled to 5 cities within the Greater Bay Area. But what I treasure most in this process are the person-to-person connections. Hong Kong is a city of rich diversity—in its history, people, and culture. Exploring everything this metropolis has to offer alongside a cohort of exchange students from all over the world was truly the opportunity of a lifetime.

The proudest moment of my life so far isn’t any achievement I’ve earned, but my birthday party during my exchange at HKU. I invited every exchange student friend I knew; over thirty friends from about twenty different countries gathered that night at the HKU Centennial Garden, and I gave a speech:

“Admit it or not, we are living in a more and more divided world, with a history of countless conflicts and a current climate of distrust, opposition, and hostility among our countries. But during my interactions with all of you, I have a stronger and stronger belief that we do share something that transcends all our differences, our skin colors, languages, nationalities, ideologies, and life experiences. It is the kindness and love that we share with each other.”

I shared the video of that speech with the professor who taught my very first college English course —“English Public Speaking”, who called it “sincere, bold, and uplifting”, and hopes to include it in the “English Public Speaking” textbook she is currently writing for Chinese college students.

The speech did not just come from myself; it was inspired by this city, this exchange, and this remarkable group of friends. The exchange was a process of always meeting new people to reimagine and redefine what’s possible in our own lives. I believe this is the spirit the Fung Scholarship always upholds. So, a huge thank you to the Fung Foundation and to the Fung Scholars community for making this journey possible. I will carry forward these values as a Fung Scholar, in the lifelong story of discovering a bigger world and a newer self.