I was born and raised in Hong Kong, and am in the third year of my medical degree at the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences. When I was young, I always thought of studying abroad, wondering how different it would be if I lived in another country. Growing up in Hong Kong, where Chinese culture is strong, I wanted to make the most out of my time exploring different cultures outside my home city.
At 15 years old, I reached my first study destination abroad, America. I did my high school diploma and bachelor’s degree during my eight years in the US and they were some of the happiest days of my life.
Over the years, I realised I wanted to pursue a career in medicine. When still in high school, I was already planning to get into medical school after my bachelor’s degree.
During my time in the US, I was inspired to learn more about medicine. RSCI is a well-known health sciences university that places a strong emphasis on student learning.
To begin my application to attend RCSI, I compiled all the required documents and applied through the Atlantic Bridge. I had my in-person interview in New York in late February, and I was over the moon when I received my letter of acceptance a few weeks later. I started my five-year programme at RCSI as an undergraduate student in 2020, and I am still enjoying my journey here in Ireland.
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Even though there are pros and cons of living far from family, I have gained a lot of life lessons that helped me become more independent and willing to accept new challenges.
Some of you may be hesitant about studying abroad because of homesickness, language barriers, difficulties settling in, cultural shock, and all sorts of unfamiliarity. And these challenges are real.
However, these experiences gave me essential life skills and strengthened my will to overcome new challenges. Ireland still feels new to me after three years there – the Covid-19 pandemic meant it took time to become familiar with my new home, as restrictions limited my exploration of the country.
I struggled a lot because it was difficult to grab daily essentials from shops and restaurants. As things began to open up more, I started checking out the areas near my school and accommodation, and got better at locating resources, being flexible in the face of changes and coping with stress.
It took me weeks to settle in, but I’m grateful that my parents, my friendly flatmates, seniors and faculty members made my settling-in process smoother and quicker than it could have been.
I am glad I can take care of myself, live independently, and most importantly, build up my resilience and conquer every challenge. Without these skills, I would not have been able to fulfil my childhood dream of exploring the world and discovering new cultures.
Here is my advice for future international students:
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Keep in touch and share your daily life with your family and friends. It’s an excellent way to overcome homesickness. Even little bits of your everyday life might spark their interest and help you build a deeper connection.
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Be open-minded and willing to try things you have never done before. Culture shock might sound daunting and make some students anxious about fitting into a new environment. By making new friends and adapting to a new environment, students can move into a new stage where they become more comfortable and familiar with new cultures.
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It’s OK to ask for help. If you need help with your degree or anything outside the classroom, don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. Perhaps other students are facing the same problems as you and you can work on finding a solution together.
With friends and help from other people, studying abroad can be an unforgettable experience that permanently changes your life. You will learn about different cultures and people while looking at your own culture from a different perspective.
Good luck to all of you who are planning to apply abroad or those who are starting their journey as an international student!
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