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21
Campus On Air
An Experience Sharing from
a Postgraduate Student
Lily Chen
a postgraduate student from mainland China studying Global
Communication shared her experiences living in Hong Kong
and studying in CUHK. During the past few months, she
found her life in Hong Kong both challenging and fruitful.
2. What stress you out most in your postgraduate
studies in Hong Kong?
Coping with studies is probably the major source of
stress since studying in my university in mainland and CUHK
is quite different. For instance, the lectures here are all
conducted in English. It makes me feel nervous because I
am not confident in communicating in English and it is hard
for me to interact effectively with professors. Besides, the
assigned readings are massive. I can hardly catch up with
the progress and I sometimes feel lost without meeting the
professors’ expectations. Apart from studies, it is hard to find
a suitable accommodation outside the campus. I am also
burdened with the rent, which is the major portion of my
total expenditure. Nevertheless, my postgraduate life isn’t
only filled with stress. It is rewarding when I am praised by
professors because of good academic work. And I am really
touched since I can make a lot of intimate friends in CUHK.
4. What additional support have you received in adjusting
to your new living and learning environmment in
CUHK?
Last October, I joined a Time Management Workshop held
by the Student Counselling and Development Service. It was
good as I learnt useful tips to manage my time. It would be nice
if more workshops could be organized on topics such as emotion
management, personal growth and stress management. I think
many postgraduate students can benefit from them, especially
non-local students like me. As mentioned earlier, non-local students
have to face different challenges settling in Hong Kong and the
learning environment in CUHK. Probably many of us would feel
stressed and disappointed at the beginning and these workshops
can prepare students to face the challenges ahead.
1. How do you find your postgraduate studies in
general?
I think my postgraduate study is challenging and fruitful
in general. I am glad that the programme provides me with
substantial training in research skills which is important
to lay a good foundation for my future study. On the other
hand, my life here is challenging in terms of encountering
initial adjustment difficulties. Adjusting to living in Hong Kong
has stressed me out in some ways. For the academic side, I
am not familiar with the teaching style in Hong Kong. As for
daily living, at first I am not accustomed to the weather and
it is hard to find off-campus accommodation. Besides, as I
cannot speak Cantonese well, it is difficult for me to fit into
the local culture. It took me around two months to get settled
into the new life in Hong Kong.
3. How do you alleviate your stress?
I have joined some clubs, such as the Anime and Comics Club,
Dance Society and Philharmonic Society in order to reduce stress.
I have met many nice and supportive friends and I can relax with
them. At the same time, my Cantonese improved a lot.
Apart from participating to activities organized on campus, I like
reading magazines and listening to music. Music helps me deal
with stress. I have attended some piano concerts organized by the
Hong Kong Arts Festival. I also like sightseeing a lot. I have been
to Tsim Sha Tsui, Sham Shui Po, Tai Po Waterfront Park, etc. I
especially like going to the waterfront adjacent to the Hong Kong
Science and Technology Park. Hong Kong is so much fun and there
are lots of places for me to explore!
During holidays, I would visit my family in mainland China. I
can feel energized and less stressed when I am at home as my
family and friends give me a lot of support. Chatting with them often
makes me feel better.
With an aim to meeting the needs of postgraduate students, the
Student Counselling and Development Service of the Office of Student
Affairs has organised a series of programmes on self-enhancement
and mental wellness for postgraduate students. Details of upcoming
programmes are as below:
For more information, please visit www.cuhk.edu.hk/osa/scds.
Programme
Date
Time
Workshop on Understanding
Personality (NLP)
24/4 & 27/4
6:30 – 8:30pm
Mental Health First Aid Course 8/5, 10/5, 15/5
& 17/5
6:00 – 9:00pm
Workshop on Understanding
Personality (MBTI)
12/7 & 19/7
4:30 – 6:30pm
Workshop on Stress Management
through Mindfulness Training
16/8 & 23/8
4:30 – 6:30pm
Lily photographed with Lorraine Chung, Annie Lui and Karen Chan
(from left).
Challenging and Fruitful