Right now, I’m sitting in the Ya Mai Tai public library in Hong Kong, waiting for my Python code to finish running for an assignment due for my Deep Learning Business Applications with Python. As a former IoT engineer, I never thought I’d be back to writing code… but here I am, experimenting with Hugging Face models and building business applications in under 60 lines of code. Back in undergrad, tools like this didn’t even exist, which is one reason I chose the MBA student exchange at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). I wanted to see how fast business and technology are evolving in Asia.
Out of the 13 partner schools, HKUST stood out for a few reasons:
- Learning how business is done in APAC (Asia-Pacific region)
- An expat‑friendly environment
- Unique classes offered
Life on HKUST’s campuses
One thing I love about HKUST is its dual campus setup. My evening classes are in Hong Kong Central, right in the middle of Hong Kong Island, while my daytime and weekend classes are at the main campus in Clear Water Bay. The main campus is stunning, which sits above the sea with panoramic views, and the subsidized lunches make it easy for me to enjoy a meal with my classmates. For about 50 HKD ($5–6 USD), you can feast on duck noodle soup, char siu pork with rice, or whatever else the cafeteria is serving. Honestly, UW could never compete with that variety or price.
Beyond Hong Kong
Outside of class, I’ve been hopping across mainland China thanks to the high‑speed trains out of West Kowloon. Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, each city has its own vibe. The firewall makes accessing everyday apps I typically use tricky, but once I downloaded WeChat, Didi, and Alipay, I was good to go. Guangzhou surprised me with vintage shops and quirky coffee cafes, while Shenzhen is perfect for bargain shopping at wholesale clothing stores. Before my exchange started, I helped my friend A’lexus (another MBA exchange student) move into her dorm at SJTU in Shanghai.
Hong Kong itself is a fascinating blend of east and west. It’s crowded, busy, and fast-paced, but once you dig into its history, you see how cultures overlap. Walking through Hong Kong Island or joining company visits through HKUST’s career programs, I’ve seen how global and local perspectives collide in everyday business.
Coming from Seattle, I was used to everyone being in tech. Here, my classmates span industries I’d never thought about: one manages distribution for Mars chocolate, another handles regional sales for The Economist, and another works in electronics manufacturing in Shenzhen. Hearing about their day‑to‑day jobs has been eye‑opening. It’s a reminder that business is so much broader than just tech.
And then there’s nature. Hong Kong is one of the few cities where you can leave skyscrapers behind and be on a hiking trail within an hour. I’ve explored Lamma Island (the “chill island” with great fish and chips), hiked Dragon’s Back, and climbed Braemar Hill for sunset views!
Looking back, I’ve realized how rewarding this experience has been, not just academically, but personally. It’s given me a chance to learn about a different part of the world, meet classmates from diverse industries, and balance city life with nature escapes. Hong Kong exceeded my expectations.