Pursuing internationalisation and human connection at the Chinese University of Hong Kong

By ashton.wenborn, 3 April, 2023

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Formally established in 1963, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has seen many achievements over the decades, including the development of its vast alumni network and its 60th anniversary celebrations this year. To this day, CUHK is keen to celebrate its historic milestones while continuing to look forward, combining tradition and modernity as it brings together China and the West.

One way that CUHK connects China with the wider world is through its international curricula, research goals and student cohorts. The latter is exemplified by one of CUHK’s second-year global studies students, Anora Abduvalieva, who is from Uzbekistan.

The university’s international outlook is one of the things that convinced Abduvalieva to study at CUHK. “Three years ago, when I started applying to university, I was largely focusing on US and Chinese institutions,” Abduvalieva says. “Ratings were important, of course, but I also spoke with a recent graduate from Kazakhstan. He told me about his positive experiences studying at CUHK. Pretty quickly, CUHK became the higher education institution that I was focused on attending.” 

Connecting with other international students gave Abduvalieva an insight into CUHK that couldn’t be replicated through admissions forms or brochures. “I was able to learn about the professors at CUHK, teaching methodologies and the application process,” Abduvalieva says. “I was also able to ask about what daily life was like at the university and whether there was a strong sense of community. All of these factors encouraged me to study at CUHK.”

Although Abduvalieva is only in her second year of studies at CUHK, she has already experienced a great deal of change in university life. For instance, her typical day has altered significantly as Covid-19 restrictions have lessened.

“Covid restrictions have largely been lifted in Hong Kong,” Abduvalieva says. “Now, the main influence on my day-to-day life is whether it’s term time or not. During term time, I will attend lectures, spend time with friends and visit the library to continue my studies. During breaks between terms, I like to travel off campus. There are a lot of great hiking spots in Hong Kong, especially in the Sai Kung area.”

Abduvalieva believes that her time spent relaxing off campus benefits her studies. “I find the area around the university truly inspiring,” Abduvalieva says. “The architecture and the natural surroundings are both breathtaking. Even if you spend the entire day on campus, it is so big that there is a great deal to explore here, and it is incredibly beautiful. It’s a city with a countryside vibe.”

Abduvalieva has enjoyed the challenging nature of the curriculum at CUHK, noting that she never tires of learning new things.

“For any other students thinking of studying at CUHK, I would highly recommend it,” Abduvalieva says. “If you’re coming from overseas, the International Student Association will provide all the details you need. With their guidance, I was able to hit the ground running with my studies.”

 about CUHK.

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Standfirst

At CUHK, the university embraces an international outlook, with its welcoming atmosphere encouraging students from all over the world to enrol

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Created date
2023-04-03T10:34:17+0100

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