Semester or Year Abroad: Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a bustling, lively place with approximately 6.9 million people living within its 1084 km². Although densely populated in some areas, 40% of the land area of Hong Kong is set aside as parks and to help protect freshwater reservoirs. Geographically, Hong Kong is divided into 4 areas: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, and the 234 outlying islands. The population is 95% Chinese. Life is conducted in Cantonese and business is conducted in English. With Hong Kong’s return to China, Mandarin has become of increased importance.

Hong Kong is a primary path of travel to China and East Asia. Beijing is a 25-hour train ride (3.5 hours by plane) from Hong Kong. Buses, boats, and trains provide transportation to nearby provinces of China and farther destinations.

Hong Kong Island became a British colony in 1841. In 1859, Great Britain gained control of the Kowloon Peninsula and further islands under the Convention of Peking and in 1898, they leased the New Territories from China for 99 years. In December 1984, Great Britain agreed to return all of Hong Kong to China when the lease on the New Territories ended. In return, China promised to retain the existing economic, social, and legal systems of Hong Kong for at least 50 years after the hand over to China. On July 1, 1997 Hong Kong became a Special Administration Region of the People's Republic of China. Hong Kong continues to enjoy a high degree of autonomy and offers its visitors a unique blend of eastern history and western influence.

Hong Kong University

The University of Hong Kong is a premier international university in Asia. Since its foundation in 1911, the University of Hong Kong has given unparalleled service to Hong Kong and the region, drawing on the great cultural traditions of China and the West. In fact, in 2000 HKU was ranked as the third best multi-disciplinary university in Asia by Asiaweek magazine. The University has a student population of over 15,000 and is situated on the northwestern slopes of Hong Kong Island. The university offers a buddy program to assist exchange students to get settled into the university.

Academic Program

All course offered at HKU are taught in English except language courses. Course offerings include: American Studies, Surveying, Chinese (language and literature, history, philosophy and translation), Comparative Literature, English, Fine Arts, Geography, Geology, History, Japanese Studies, Music, Philosophy, Education, Curriculum Studies, Speech and Hearing Sciences, Physical Education and Sports Science, Civil and Structural Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Botany, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Ecology and Biodiversity, Mathematics, Physics, Zoology, Economics and Finance, Politics and Public Administration, Business Administration, Psychology, Social Work and Social Administration, Sociology, and Statistics.

Introductory Cantonese and Putonghua (Mandarin) courses are offered in the Fall and Spring semester for exchange students.

KU course equivalencies for Hong Kong University

Accommodations

Students stay in double-occupancy rooms with HKU students in university residential halls which are located on or near campus. Some of the residential halls have dining hall facilities, but most students take their meals at campus cafeterias and restaurants near the residential halls.

Dates

Fall Semester: early September to late December
Spring Semester: mid-January to early June

Eligibility

Open to KU students with Junior standing by the beginning of the program who have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. There is no language requirement.

Cost

Academic Year 2006-2007

Fall or Spring Semester: Approximately $4,850
Academic Year: Approximately $8,350

The program fee includes tuition, fees, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation services, and KU and onsite orientation.

Estimated additional costs: Housing (approx. $625 per semester), meals (approx. $1,950 per semester), airfare, personal expenses, books, ground transportation, passport and visa fees.

Note

All dates, costs, and program information are subject to change as necessary due to fluctuations in the exchange rate or other reasons.

Financial Aid

KU students who qualify for financial aid in the form of Stafford and/or other loans, Pell or SEOG Grants, and scholarships may apply the aid to the cost of a Study Abroad Program.

The Freeman-ASIA program provides U.S. undergraduates with scholarships for study in Asia. See Renée Frias in the Office of Study Abroad for details.

Limited supplemental scholarships are also available to KU undergraduates. Applications are available at the Office of Study Abroad. The scholarship application deadline is March 1 for Fall and October 1 for Spring.

Application Procedures

Deadline for Fall/Academic Year: March 1
Deadline for Spring: October 1

Applications are available in the KU Office of Study Abroad. You can also download the application. Applications submitted after the deadline will only be considered with prior approval of the program coordinator at the Office of Study Abroad.

(Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to download an application. If your computer does not have Acrobat Reader you can download it for FREE.)

Useful Web sites

University of Hong Kong: http://www.hku.hk
For course info, click on Faculty and Departments

HKU Office of International Student Exchange: http://www.hku.hk/liaison/oise/

University Residential Halls: www.hku.hk/osa/student_residences.html

Hong Kong Tourist Association: http://www.hkta.org