Currently studying: History
Why did you apply for the HK GLP 2019?
I applied for the GLP because I was keen to broaden my horizons and travel to the other side of the world to experience an entirely new culture. I wanted to take part as I knew that the experience would be rewarding, as it would improve my independence as well as my own self-confidence, as it would force me to test myself in an unfamiliar environment. I was curious to see what the project could offer me in terms of networking and improving my employability skills such as leadership and communication, and the GLP certainly didn’t disappoint!
What were your expectations beforehand?
I wasn’t too sure what to expect before travelling to Hong Kong. I had never travelled to Asia prior to the visit so I think I initially suffered from a bit of culture shock as it really hit me how different society in HK operates in comparison to the UK. I assumed that perhaps the locals would be unwelcoming to tourists, however I couldn’t have been more wrong! The locals were very welcoming and proud of where they lived, which was humbling to see. I think it’s safe to say I misjudged Hong Kong prior to the visit!
What was the most important thing you learned from the project?
I believe that the most important thing that I learned from the project was what it meant to be a ‘leader’. Previously, I always believed that a leader was an individual who assumed the greatest responsibility within a group and organised the entire group project. However, upon finishing the project, I realised that being a leader was more about being a ‘team player’ as opposed to assuming all responsibility within the group. Making sure all the members within the group participated and played to their strengths as well as being able to voice their own opinions and allowing them to feel welcomed within the group were all characteristics of an effective leader.
What was your favourite moment of the trip?
This was a VERY tough decision as I genuinely enjoyed every last minute I spent in HK. I think if I absolutely had to pick a specific moment, it would definitely be when I visited Victoria Peak to see the skyline. The view was absolutely breathtaking and unlike anything I had ever seen before. It really put in to perspective how big the world is and how little I am as a person, and has definitely fuelled my desire to travel and see the world!
What piece of advice would you give to any students considering applying for 2020?
I would definitely say to grab the opportunity with both hands. See as many sights as you can and don’t waste a second sitting around in the hotel room. Try new foods, don’t just rely on McDonalds! Really immerse yourself in the culture by doing things such as visiting the street markets, visiting bars, and don’t be afraid to have conversations with the locals as they are often more than happy to answer questions you have about Hong Kong!
How has this affected your opinions on studying/working abroad?
I think that I already had strong aspirations to study abroad prior to visiting HK, however taking part in the GLE has definitely fuelled this desire to travel. I loved the independence that the project gave me, as we were not under non-stop supervision like your typical ‘school trip’. We were really encouraged to be independent and could tailor our own Hong Kong experience to suit our own desires. For example, we had free reign over our free time, so could spend it how we wished, whether that was shopping, sight-seeing, or relaxing with a few beers!
Do you have a photo which sums up the trip for you?
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Name: Denise Rolls
Currently studying: Law
Why did you apply for the HK GLP 2019?
I applied because it looked like an incredible opportunity. The Common Purpose program looked really interesting, and I loved the idea of being able to explore Hong Kong alongside that. I’d never really been too far out of my comfort zone when it came to travelling and the idea of immersing myself in a different culture was really exciting.
I initially had reservations about applying, but my friends convinced me that I should go for it and I’m so glad I did because I absolutely loved every moment.
What were your expectations beforehand?
I expected Hong Kong to be very different to how it was. I expected it to be quite a rich, luxurious and technologically advanced city and, whilst it was to an extent, there is also a significant portion of the population living in severe poverty. I found the GLP to be great for opening my eyes and showing a side to Hong Kong that I would never have seen had I just gone as a tourist. The city itself is a very stark contract between classes, with families living in cage apartments whilst Porsches and Teslas drive past outside.
What was the most important thing you learned from the project?
I learned a lot about myself, which I didn't expect. I learned that I can be successful outside my comfort zone, that I can push myself and do more than I give myself credit for, that I can make mistakes without the world ending, and most of all, I learned that to be successful in future, I need to be a leader, not just a person in charge, and the easiest way to do that is with the support of an amazing team.
What was your favourite moment of the trip?
My favourite moment was probably sitting on the edge of the fountain by the Clock Tower in Tsim Sha Tsui late at night, with the sea breeze blowing across my face, looking at the lights across the bay and wondering how on Earth I ended up here!
What piece of advice would you give to any students considering applying for 2020?
Do it. Do not let fear or nervousness hold you back. I left my husband and two children behind for a week and I was so terrified about going it alone without them and leaving them, but they were fine, I was fine, and I had the most incredible experience.
Also, bring deet to keep the mosquitos away and stomach settling tablets, in case the street food isn’t kind to you ;)
How has this affected your opinions on studying or working abroad?
I had never really considered the possibility of studying abroad, however after taking part in the GLP, I am looking into summer schools for 2020, and also considering careers abroad post-graduation. I don’t think I ever realised how many options there are for mobility before.
Do you have a photo which sums up the trip for you?
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Name: Kyle Moffat
Currently studying: English & Film
Why did you apply for the HK GLP 2019?
I applied for the HK GLP 2019 because it gave me the chance to explore a new culture and learn about its current affairs and the lifestyle of the people who live there, while giving me the chance to visit a brand new place.
What were your expectations beforehand?
My expectations were to just learn about the culture and the economical side of Hong Kong but they were met and I feel they were very low because the programme was so much better with many interesting speakers and many amazing places to visit.
What was the most important thing you learned from the project?
The most important thing I learnt was to have more confidence in myself to have the ability so solve issues and provide solutions to problems.
What was your favourite moment of the trip?
My favourite moment of the trip was seeing some of the most beautiful views from peaks and docks of Hong Kong, helping me to appreciate my time there so much more.
What piece of advice would you give to any students considering applying for 2020?
My piece of advice to students next year would be to reach out of your comfort zone and explore as much as you can.
How has this affected your opinions on studying or working abroad?
This has affected my opinion about abroad study because it has given me an experience that I’ve really enjoyed. As a result, it has made me consider abroad study more.
Do you have a photo which sums up the trip for you?
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Name: Sara Çakaj
Currently studying: Biological Sciences (Genetics)
Why did you apply for the HK GLP 2019?
To be honest, the prospect of going to Hong Kong University for a few days was the initial reason that I became curious about the GLP. The prospect of studying abroad has always been appealing, so I decided to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. The more I read about the programme, the more I became aware of all the incredible learning opportunities that were being presented to me. I was reluctant to apply at first, but that feeling of insecurity and fear was precisely why I needed to expand my comfort zone and be more adventurous. I applied on a whim, and all the anxiety (that I felt until the very moment I got the email confirming I was accepted onto the programme) disappeared instantly.
What were your expectations beforehand?
I didn’t really know what to expect. The mystery of going into the unknown was quite scary but not as scary as the expectation that I wouldn’t fit in or that my opinions weren’t valid or worth being heard. I didn’t expect that I would be able to open up so much and develop my confidence as a leader, but the Common Purpose’s programme was designed in a way that maximised your progressed in such a short amount of time.
What was the most important thing you learned from the project?
We had been allocated groups for the project and, initially, I didn’t feel very comfortable with my group and didn’t really contribute much. This rapidly changed and I saw that as I was engaging more and becoming very fond of the people in my group. On the last day, we had to present each other with our graduating certificates. We took turns describing the person whose certificate we had, whilst everyone else guessed who was being described. This experience was so valuable because it was critical in being able to observe my personal growth. It was also the moment that I realised that you put out is what you get - I was having so much more fun and actually enjoying the programme once I started to make the effort to fully participate. It was also valuable simply because it felt very sentimental and a little upsetting that it was the last day working with all these amazing people.
What was your favourite moment of the trip?
My favourite moment was probably the first day we landed in Hong Kong. The feelings of tiredness were strongly out powered by the feelings of curiosity and excitement and we all went out and explored the city. Navigating the railways system took an absurdly long time, but when we finally got the hang of it, it was hilarious to look back on.
What piece of advice would you give to any students considering applying for 2020?
I would advise everyone who is presented this opportunity to apply! The GLP is so enriching in terms of knowledge, confidence, and courage and it’s also so much more than a free trip! Even if you feel like there is no point in applying because of competition, just being brave enough to apply in the first place is a massive benefit that you may not even realise.
How has this affected your opinions on studying or working abroad?
The GLP has been so eye-opening. I have always thought studying and working abroad would be really cool but I never thought it was something that was feasible for me, purely because I felt inexperienced and insecure in my ability to adapt so far outside my comfort zone. This whole experience has proved that anyone, even someone who’s a massive home-body like me, can do study abroad. Studying abroad is something that I am now more seriously considering.
Do you have a photo which sums up the trip for you?
I think this photo of Ansa and I, looking tiny compared to the massive skyscrapers behind us, best summarises my experience. The experience was overwhelming but beautiful, just like Hong Kong itself!
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Currently studying: BSC Psychology
Why did you apply for the HK GLP 2019?
I felt like it was a no brainer to apply- travelling to the Asia is a financially restricted, especially from a student perspective, and so the chance to visit Hong Kong, a world city meant that I was extremely motivated to apply.
What were your expectations beforehand?
I have enjoyed my past ventures abroad, so I knew that even in the worst circumstances, I would enjoy the trip! I was aware that Hong Kong was a bustling city that combines western and eastern culture which intrigued me.
What was the most important thing you learned from the project?
Unfortunately, due to illness and subsequent hospitalization I missed out on the majority of the programme. However, I still learned that communication skills and understanding of other peoples backgrounds can strengthen leadership.
What was your favourite moment of the trip?
It's really hard to pick one moment, but I really enjoyed the first night out clubbing! It was an interesting experience 😂
What piece of advice would you give to any students considering applying for 2020?
1. Be prepared for the humidity. Seems like a given considering it is the Asian climate, however it is completely different to the heat we have in the UK.
2. Make sure that you spend time on your application, as I'm sure being meticulous make a big difference considering over 200 people applied in 2019 in competition of 25 spaces!
How has this affected your opinions on studying or working abroad?
I have a positive outlook to a year abroad. Even though the visit was only for a week, I learned so much about different cultures and myself, so I am sure this would be positively exacerbated by taking up the opportunity of a year abroad.
Do you have a photo which sums up the trip for you?
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Currently studying: Chemical Engineering
Why did you apply for the HK GLP 2019?
Over 6,000 miles away, on my own, hardly knowing anyone, made me want to crawl out of my comfort zone and take part in the Global Leadership Project. Also, doing something out of the norm in my family, made me want to dive deep into the idea of studying abroad. I wanted to taste the life of living on my own.
What were your expectations beforehand?
Just thinking about Hong Kong, I pictured very densely populated areas, little greenery and lots of pollution. After having been there my expectations dropped, as soon as you get out of the airport you see the beautiful landscape filled with lush mountains and greenery, but you can’t forget those soaring high skyscrapers too. I also loved how clean the metro was, having travelled in New York and London countless times, Hong Kong surprised me. The handrails of the escalators were sanitised and no eating and drinking on the metro or you could get fined! Crazy.
What was the most important thing you learned from the project?
The Global Leadership Program was a one of a kind experience, going to those immersion visits, talks from inspiring people, and working alongside students from different backgrounds. The most important thing I learnt from the project was making myself comfortable when I step out of my comfort zone. I learnt more about myself when we talked about what our core and flex are, and how they changed during the week.
What was your favourite moment of the trip?
My favourite part of the trip, it’s a bit of a sticky one to decide, but it has to go to our first day of exploring and getting lost on the way to Victoria Harbour, having dinner at the Spaghetti House. Finding out my food had Alcohol in it, the chef then made me a brand new dish with 0 alcohol and vegetarian, definitely Halal friendly ! That first day of exploring, showed me how quickly I can bond and have a great time with people I barely knew before. It will be hard to forget these moments.
What piece of advice would you give to any students considering applying for 2020?
Advice for people applying in 2020, if you require a halal diet it maybe best to stay vegetarian for a week or try Ebeneezers located at HKU. Definitely don’t say no to an opportunity, you may not get that chance again. Try to go to as many places as you can, stay less in your accommodation and more out. Besides there’s an 11 hour journey home, plenty of time for sleep. Last but not least don’t forget to complete your travel insurance.
How has this affected your opinions on studying or working abroad?
My eyes are definitely wide open for studying abroad, or even working abroad. The whole programme itself showed me I can travel on my own, I can do things that I thought were impossible. It’s all about stepping out that barrier don’t just step out..jump out.
Do you have a photo which sums up the trip for you?
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