“The cultural diversity [HK Polytechnic University] offers,” Jassmaine Irenia answered when asked about the best part of being an international student via a questionnaire. “There are a lot of international students from different countries here at PolyU.
Because of the diversity, I now have many friends with different cultural backgrounds. It is always interesting to learn a little something from different cultures from my friends.”
“The cultural diversity [HK Polytechnic University] offers,” Jassmaine Irenia answered when asked about the best part of being an international student via a questionnaire. “There are a lot of international students from different countries here at PolyU. Because of the diversity, I now have many friends with different cultural backgrounds. It is always interesting to learn a little something from different cultures from my friends.”
Jassmaine, an Indonesian student, is just one of the many international students pursuing her industrial and system engineering degree at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). First introduced by her cousin during a family vacation in 2018, she is now well into her junior year, set to graduate in 2023.
Jassmaine Irenia on Campus.
The university offers scholarships of up to US$25,000 per academic year, known as a full scholarship. It also offers a full tuition waiver and half-tuition waiver, amounting to $18,600 and $9,300 per year respectively. The opportunities are only offered for international students who have performed outstandingly at high school or prior to studying at PolyU. The scholarship is exclusively set up for international students; they don’t have to compete against local entrants for this scholarship. Jassmaine is one of the recipients of the PolyU Entry Scholarship
Moreover, non-local students are eligible for university-managed residential accommodation for the first two years. Afterward, high-performing students may reapply for longer stays and others can apply for university subsidized off-campus housing if they prefer.
There are 13 cafeterias, canteens and restaurants on campus, but the school’s location is also very convenient. Strategically, student halls are located within the proximity of Hung Hum Mass Transit Railway (MTR) stations and Cross Harbour Tunnel bus station.
Jassmaine praised the culture of PolyU for helping ease her transition into living abroad. She shared her favorite thing about studying in Hong Kong.
“The food in Hong Kong is also one of the best parts of studying here. I can find all sorts of food from different countries easily, from Asian to Western, as Hong Kong is very diverse. And there are a lot of Indonesians in Hong Kong. There are many Indonesian shops and restaurants here, which helped me a lot whenever I feel homesick,” she said.
The activities provided on campus is as diverse as the city itself, at least according to Jassmaine’s point of view. In the two years she has studied at the school, she has been part of the executive committee of PolyU’s International Student Association (ISA), managing its social media. She also completed her service-learning requirement last summer, partaking in the opportunity to teach primary students in Cambodia virtually. This year, she is serving as an attaché. Jassmaine is also a part of the university’s women’s soccer team, which competed in Hong Kong’s 2020 University Sports Federation (USF) and will participate again this year.
If there is something Jassmaine has not done, it’s the study abroad program, which may become difficult because of COVID-19.
“I would consider the program, destination country and the fee. I wished to take part in 2021’s summer exchange to somewhere in Europe,” she said. Kausthubh Chandramouli, a student from India studying electrical engineering said, “I think what sets Hong Kong, and particularly PolyU apart from most study destinations is its vast range of academic, non-academic and career opportunities available to students throughout the entire period of study.”
The university has more than 250 exchange partner institutions, spanning 34 countries and regions. Whether it’s a summer program or a short-term study tour off-campus, the university also provides financial assistance to help students broaden their international perspective. The program includes the prestigious OxBridge Summer Program that enables students to attend summer courses at the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford in England.
One of the best highlights about studying in PolyU has to be the internship guarantee for students, called a “work-integrated education”. Students have full access to the university’s Career and Placement Section for career advice and for those who need help with their job applications. Close to 87 percent of graduates have successfully secured employment or further studies after graduation in six months or less, thanks to the school’s motto of prioritizing students’ future and employability.
The early-round application deadline is Nov. 25, while the main-round has a deadline of March 1, 2022. It is important to note that programs and scholarships are offered on a “rolling” basis, while early application is strongly encouraged to give students the best chance of obtaining a program offer, regardless of a scholarship. There are 31 degrees available under eight faculties for undergraduate admission. Applications submitted after the main deadline may be considered based on the desired program’s availability.
Apply now: www.polyu.edu.hk/admissions
For more information: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/geo/prospective-students/undergraduate/international/admissions_2022-23/
