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Mr. Muhammad SALIK
I am from Pakistan and am currently an undergraduate student at the City University of Hong Kong. My experience as an international student has, overall, been positive; any challenges I meet are outside the academic programme, namely affordable housing and the general cost of living. First, Hong Kong is one of the most expensive cities in the world, so it is by no means student-budget friendly. Second, as Hong Kong hosts many students, interns at international organisations and young professionals in mobility, finding a place to stay is a time- and money-consuming process. Student residences remain the most affordable option – definitely not enough for the number of applicants – or there is flat sharing, which is rarely a “value for money” option. The rent is high in comparison with many other Student Residence schemes. On the positive side, I must mention there is immense diversity in the student residence, in particular, and in University in general.
I liked the way student residence offers an ideal multiculti environment. Socialising with my international hallmates was quite comfortable at the start, and I soon expanded my social network by joining several students via Facebook or WhatsApp that often organise events and activities: fun and good times guaranteed! I am still friends with people from different countries whom I had met during my first year at Hall 2. However, socialising with the local students seemed to be more complicated, perhaps because of the “temporary” status of the international students. With regards to my compatriots, Pakistani, I have met them too, so there have not been many chances to communicate in my mother tongue frequently. As a matter of fact, I made some German, Canadians and Dutch friends. International exposure has made me independent in terms of managing and handling the matters on my own without depending on someone else.
With a desire of making new friends, and talking to the people of the different part of the globe, I tend to engage with people who enriched my self-confidence and networking skills. Intending to live moderately, I commenced cooking, and within a short of span of time somehow, I excelled this skill (not bragging myself) and even won Hall cooking competition. To boost up the diversity in my hall, I also organised a couple of events like Pakistani Tea Event, Floor Dinner (where traditional Pakistani food was served to the participants), and this was following the hall moto- Diversity is the prosperity.
All in All, my Resident Master was always a source of inspiration for me. He also guided and encouraged us to participate in the numerous activities, which can succour us to diverge our mind from academic stress. Whenever I met him on-campus or in SR he always waves his hand to say and pass a smile, which provides a sense of belongingness and motivation too.
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