Saada Amadu - One Semester in Paris, One in Hong Kong!

Angkor Wat at Sunrise, Cambodia

Studying abroad was not part of my plan when I first started at CSI in 2013, but I ended up going on two different exchange programs. The first time was to Paris for Spring 2015 and the second time was on an exchange to Hong Kong in Spring 2016.

My most recent experience studying abroad was at the City University of Hong Kong (CityU). The Hong Kong program is great in a lot of ways: for starters, it is an Exchange Ambassador program, therefore you are pretty much independent once you check-in.  If you have problems however, you can go to Global Services Office (the equivalent of the Center for International Service at CSI). I got to take interesting and challenging courses with CSI equivalents, including Politics and Media, International Security, and Environmental Issues, Policy, and Ethics.

In terms of finances, Hong Kong is not known for being an inexpensive city, however with a little bit of budgeting, living in Hong Kong for five months was significantly cheaper than Paris.  At CityU, there are different restaurants on campus and therefore plenty of options for food depending on your budget and tastes. The first week after arrival in Hong Kong was orientation, and we had the opportunity to try different restaurants with “buddies,” local students at the university.

Shangria-La Rehabilitation, Borneo, Malaysia

My favorite thing about Hong Kong, other than the program at CityU and the delicious food, is its location and how it is easy and affordable it is to visit the rest of Southeast Asia. I was able to visit Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Taiwan, and Vietnam during my spare time and on breaks. The highlight of the semester was a trip I took with five friends to Borneo, Malaysia in February. We went jungle trekking, snorkeling, water rafting - I even saw an orangutan! I loved Borneo so much that at the end of the semester I went back to Malaysia - but this time to Kuala Lumpur.

I’m a big proponent of study abroad but I will also be the first person to admit how intimidating it is to apply and get acceptance to programs and figure out funding. I was fortunate enough to receive two different scholarships: one through the CSI study abroad office and the other was the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. The Gilman is not impossible to get, although it is very competitive. The application is fairly easy and straightforward; if you are a Pell grant recipient, you just go on the website and answer all the questions. You write an essay about why you deserve to be awarded the scholarship as well as another essay on how to plan on being an advocate for international education and travel after your time abroad.

Studying abroad was definitely the highlight of my college experience. It was eye opening to live and travel through Southeast Asia and I recommend it for anyone, not just the Hong Kong program. Studying abroad might not lead to a life changing experience, but you will come back with interesting memories and friends to last a very long time - which, if you ask me, is definitely a great thing! 

Taipei 101, in Taiwa

Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur

Big Buddha, Lantau Island, Hong Kong

Park Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Ni hao from Hong Kong! ~Loren Lemberg, CSI Exchange Ambassador to Hong Kong

Never could I have imagined that I would be living in Asia for five months, studying, traveling and meeting people from all over the world. It has been a little over a month since I moved into my residence and started classes. I share a triple room with a Hong Kong local and a girl from the U.K. Being thousands miles away from Staten Island is quite the surreal experience. Hong Kong reminds me of Manhattan in some ways. There are lots of bright lights, buildings and sidewalks filled with people. The difference here though is that I can’t understand most of the signs being that very few are in English. Street vendors here don’t sell the typical hot dog, pretzel or soda. Instead, they sell Fish balls on a stick, tofu and pig intestines, how’s that for a quick snack?


Locals here love the west! I have seen so many people wearing clothing with the American and British flag, it is quite comedic. Also anytime someone asks me where I am from and I say New York their reaction is pure awe. They have a million questions for me and ask what it is like living there and how much they want to visit one day. There are about 18,000 students enrolled at City University of Hong Kong and 300 of those are Exchange Students. Many of the International students are from Canada, Sweden and parts of Europe. I am one of the few Americans and am the only student from New York City. Even though English is the main language amongst students, walking around campus many languages like French and Swedish can be heard spoken.

I’ve done some exploring in Hong Kong and around Asia already. I am getting to know Hong Kong as a resident and tourist. I visited a 10,000 Buddha monastery and saw statues of life sized unique Buddha’s. I went to Victoria’s Peak, a high point where the cities beautiful night skyline is viewed. I saw quite a few temples, went to a Chinese New Year’s flower market and experienced the CNY parade. I’ve also gone souvenir shopping in a few markets. Things that could be found in the door booths are miniature statues, watches, shoes, handbags and jewelry. Also, there are so many malls here in Hong Kong, well over a dozen and they all sell very expensive items like bags and brand named designer clothing.      

My outside of Hong Kong traveling ventures are slowly building up. I spent a week in beautiful Boracay Island in the Philippines with about a dozen other Exchange Students. We went jet skiing, snorkeling, island hopping parasailing, six person tricycle riding and more! While there, I learned the word “salamat,” which means thank you in Philippine. Every time I said that to a local they smiled and were amazed that I knew the word. I also spent a weekend in Singapore with my British roommate. We went on a Night Safari, saw a water and light show projected from the bay, rode The Flyer which is the largest observation wheel in the world, saw some art work including a piece by Andy Warhol and more in just a few days. Since we have a Student Visa we are considered a resident of Hong Kong. This has given us the privilege to wait in the short Hong Kong residence line at customs!

I am having a one of a kind experience In Hong Kong. I never imagined I’d visit Asia let alone live here. Studying abroad is turning out to be an unforgettable adventure and I am extremely glad I am doing it. My eyes have opened up to a whole new world literally. I’ve been meeting people I would never otherwise have and am seeing things I never expected to. I am being spontaneous and giving new things a try. I am really looking forward to what the next few months will bring. In the meantime I am off to do some more exploring!