Personal Growth Through Studying at HKU
During my academic mobility in Yerevan, I realized that I needed a new kind of experience. Armenia gave me a sense of safety, familiarity, and confidence, but at some point it stopped being enough. I felt an internal urge to go further — geographically and emotionally. I wanted to experience Asia, a more distant and culturally different region, in order to challenge myself and gain a deeper understanding of the world and my place in it.
My parents had long encouraged me to consider studying in China, and I was also drawn to the country’s aesthetics, history, and scale. When I learned that the first application wave for international academic mobility was about to open, I immediately began preparing. This time, I approached the process with full awareness and determination.
The first and most important step was choosing a university. Since I am a fourth-year student, it was critical for me that the academic term ended in December, just like at the Higher School of Economics, so that I could submit all documents on time and be admitted to my thesis defense. This criterion alone eliminated about half of the available universities.
The next requirement was the absence of mandatory TOEFL certificates. I did not have internationally recognized language certificates, so this significantly narrowed my options. Another non-negotiable condition was geography: Asia, and preferably China. As I explored different university websites, I realized how difficult it can be to navigate institutional information. Many platforms were unclear, outdated, or poorly structured.
The University of Hong Kong immediately stood out. Its website was transparent, well-organized, and included clear instructions, deadlines, and requirements. When I later discovered that HKU ranked 11th globally, something clicked. At that moment, I thought to myself: either this university, or nowhere at all.
The document preparation process was intense but manageable. I worked carefully on my motivation letter, rewriting and refining it multiple times. Collecting recommendation letters from professors was not difficult due to my strong academic record. These letters had to be officially certified at the academic office, as did my financial estimate.
The most challenging steps were creating an individual study plan and confirming my language proficiency. In this case, language confirmation meant submitting my Unified State Exam results from 2021 — documents I had almost forgotten existed. Since I am originally from Sochi, and at that time there was no option to request these records digitally, I had to personally contact the principal of my former school and ask for an official copy with a signature. Thankfully, he agreed to help, and I remain deeply grateful for that support.
I was fortunate to apply during the first wave, in winter. By summer, these exam results would no longer have been valid due to expiration. Issues with the study plan arose later: course selection took place during a very narrow time window, and admission to courses was randomized. Out of 15–18 courses I applied for, I was accepted into only four. After attending several classes, I realized that two of them did not align with my interests, so I withdrew. Ultimately, I completed two courses at HKU and five courses online at HSE.
I am extremely grateful to my professors at HSE, who understood my situation and allowed me to complete their courses remotely. Managing a five-hour time difference was not always easy, but I was simply grateful for the opportunity to continue my education without academic delays.
Waiting for the decision from HKU felt endless. The emotional pressure was overwhelming, as studying at this university had become a personal dream. When I finally received an email, it was a rejection. I was devastated. I spent the entire day crying, feeling lost and defeated. Still, I forced myself to sit down and begin searching for universities available during the second application wave.
The very next day, everything changed. I received another email informing me that one of the selected students had declined participation, and I was nominated to take their place. I accepted immediately, without hesitation. I could not believe what I was reading. I informed my parents only after confirming my participation — partly to spare them anxiety, and partly to avoid giving them the chance to say no.
My father was initially happy when I said I was going to China, knowing that living costs there are relatively low. However, when I mentioned the city, his smile faded. Hong Kong is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and he understood what that meant. Still, my parents supported my decision fully. They never stood in the way of my ambitions and were proud that I would be studying at such a prestigious university.
Another challenge appeared unexpectedly: none of the exchange students were offered university dormitories. Panic set in immediately. My parents were terrified of potential scams, especially given the language barrier. Fortunately, HKU provided a list of verified hotels it cooperated with. However, the cost of accommodation was nearly four times higher than dormitory housing.
To solve this, I reached out to another exchange student heading to the same university. We were complete strangers, yet we decided to rent together. Looking back, I am incredibly grateful for this coincidence. We developed a harmonious living arrangement based on mutual respect and understanding, proving once again that trust can emerge in the most unexpected situations.
The academic system at HKU suited me perfectly. Most courses were practice-oriented, much like at HSE. One course that left a lasting impression was Sports Journalism. Our professor organized a mock press conference with the captain of a top Hong Kong football club. We conducted interviews, wrote articles, attended a match as a group, and later analyzed the club’s PR campaign from a media perspective.
In my final assignment, I compared the PR strategies of Hong Kong and Russian football clubs — something I had never consciously analyzed before. Other assignments included debates on sports commercialization and in-depth studies of the relationship between fashion, trends, and sports media.
My studies in Hong Kong ended in early December, but I remained in the city until the New Year to complete my remaining HSE deadlines and fully experience the city. During this time, I met incredible people from different countries, formed meaningful friendships, and gained insights into cultures I might never have encountered otherwise.
Living abroad brings people together in unexpected ways. I became close to individuals with whom I likely would not have connected in everyday life. Shared displacement creates deeper bonds. Beyond that, I traveled extensively: I visited Beijing twice, as well as Japan, Shenzhen, Macau, and Vietnam. Each destination expanded my worldview and left lasting emotional impressions.
Looking back, this journey gave me far more than academic credits. It gave me confidence, independence, and the courage to trust myself. The warmth I feel when I think about this experience will eventually turn into gentle nostalgia — a reminder of a time when I chose uncertainty and discovered growth.
Shared by
Alina Bezborodko
