Whether this is your first time to live overseas or not, there is much to plan and prepare before departing for the host country. The pages in this section provide an outline of the major items to help you with pre-departure planning.
Pre-departure briefings are organized for students going on exchange. Please check with your School/IPO on the schedule.
It is your responsibility to make your own accommodation arrangements. Find out about the housing application procedures and deadlines as advised by the host institution. In most cases, applications sent after the deadlines will not be considered.
Some host institutions will organize orientation events or report-in sessions where the exchange coordinator can have all inbound exchange students “checked-in.” You should make every attempt to attend the orientation events, whether the host institution classifies them as mandatory or not. Orientation events are the occasion when important academic and non-academic information is disseminated. This is an excellent opportunity for you to get to know the host institution and the country, and to meet your peers and the staff.
It is worthwhile for you to report your arrival in person at the exchange office and meet the exchange coordinator there. The host institution goes to a lot of trouble to prepare for the arrival of exchange students, so making the effort to meet them will be much appreciated and is indeed a courtesy as ambassadors of Hong Kong and HKUST.
While you are taking in the new culture and academic environment, do take time and effort to build some networks and enjoy in the host’s hospitality.