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HKUST - HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Program Level: Undergraduate Number of Weeks/Term: Fall: 16, Spring: 18 |
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- Background
- Location Information
- Program Dates
- Host Institution
- Academic Information
- Academic Disciplines
- Credit Transfer Information
- Eligibility Requirements
- Program Costs
- Housing and Meals
- Insurance
- Extracurricular Activities
- Climate
- VISA & Passport Information
- Your Next Steps
- Experiences of Former Students
- Contact Details
BACKGROUND
Georgia Tech (GT) has developed a number of overseas programs around the globe. These programs provide students with the opportunity to complete a portion of their academic programs in top-notch foreign universities that are partnered with GT. As a result of immersion in a foreign academic and cultural environment, students have the maximum opportunity to learn to operate effectively in an atmosphere that is wholly different from that of GT and the U.S.
LOCATION INFORMATION
China
With its entrance to the WTO, hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, and hosting of the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China is becoming an increasingly attractive place for citizens from all countries. With 1.3 billion people, China is the most populous country in the world, and its role in world affairs has become increasingly important. The Chinese economy continues to grow at a robust pace, and China is now considered a "must play" for multinational companies.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong was a British colony for 156 years before it was returned to China on July 1,1997. Hong Kong is now a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and remains one of the worlds fastest growing cities in the realms of technology, industry, and communications. The official languages are Chinese and English.
The island of Hong Kong is actually several islands and the main territory is divided into four sections: Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, the New Territories, and the Outlying Islands. Kowloon, where the University is located, is a peninsula on the north side of the harbor. It was named after a series of hills, the "nine dragons," that separate it from the New Territories. The sights included on this small part of Hong Kong are:
Of course, you have to see the world's largest escalator, officially called 'Hillside Escalator Link,' which was built to alleviate traffic in the city centre. The walk isn't that far, but the slope is steep, hence the escalator. The city of Hong Kong, with its lights as dazzling as Times Square, is a crazy juxtaposition of old and new in the sense of both architecture and ideology. It is the home of the deep-seeded tradition as well as constant innovation and technology. Top
PROGRAM DATES
Fall Term: early September - late December
Spring Term: early February - late May
Academic Year: early September - late May
NOTE: Students may participate in this program for the fall, spring, or for a full academic year.
YEAR PROGRAM STARTED:
1996
HOST INSTITUTION ACADEMIC INFORMATION
Opened in 1991, HKUST is dedicated to the advancement of learning and scholarship, with special emphasis on research, postgraduate education, and close collaboration with business and industry. To complement the schools and their constituent academic departments, the University has set up interdisciplinary research institutes to facilitate collaboration among the different schools as well as partnerships between the University and the public and private sector. There is approximately 1 faculty member for every 12 students, all of which are PhDs and established academics. Faculty members are required to have broad intellectual interests and to care about Hong Kong, its peoples and its future. while 35 countries are represented among the faculty members, a majority of them are from North America. HKUST has been ranked as the No. 17 technological university in the world and No. 53 in the world overall. In addition, its Business School is ranked #1 in Asia.
The OIE advisor for this program visited the campus in March 2008. To see pictures of campus and to learn more about this school and surrounding areas, please view the following slideshow click here
ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES
Subject Areas Available:
- Accounting
- Aerospace Engineering
- Biology
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Chemistry
- Chinese
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- History, Technology, and Society
- Industrial and Systems Engineering
- International Affairs
- Management
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Modern Languages
- Philosophy, Science, and Technology
- Physics
Language Information
Most courses at HKUST are taught in English. Some courses are offered in Cantonese, mainly among the Social Science and Humanities electives, but there are enough taught in English that you shouldn't have a problem finding enough interesting courses to fill up your schedule.
Students may be eligible to take some classes that are taught in Cantonese. There is no proficiency test on Cantonese, but students who want to take courses that are conducted in Cantonese must understand Cantonese. Courses which require Cantonese are marked with [Ca] next to the course title. The notation [C] indicates that some reading materials written in Chinese will be used for that course. Sometimes these materials can be replaced by English materials if the student talks to the course instructor.
HKUST offers beginner's courses in Putonghua for non-Chinese students. These courses come in a pair, offered in the Fall and Spring - respectively LANG113 and LANG114. These courses are part of HKUST's curriculum, so students do not have to pay for them.
Course Information
For detailed course information: click here.
For additional information on Engineering courses: click here.
You may be able to find more detail on certain Management courses by clicking here. See the list of Management fields on the left, click on a field, then click "Courses".
You may be able to find more detail on certain Science courses by clicking here. Some of the departmental websites have more course information available.
Note that finalized course offerings for Fall semester are announced in late June and finalized course offerings for Spring semester are announced in late December.
CREDIT TRANSFER INFORMATION
Credit for courses taken as part of GT exchange programs is added as transfer credit on the GT transcript. Since it is important to know which kind of credit students will earn abroad as soon as possible, GT requires that courses be pre-approved for transfer. With a Foreign Credit Approval Form (available from OIE) in hand, and the credit transfer system information (listed below), students should submit course descriptions to the appropriate academic unit to request their approval. If taking Math classes, for example, then the student should go to the GT School of Mathematics to get permission for the courses to transfer to GT. If approved, the GT School of Mathematics signs the Foreign Credit Approval Form showing how the courses will transfer so that students will know which type of credit they should expect to receive.
For detailed credit transfer instructions click here
For the Foreign Credit Approval Form click here
Standing Transfer Credit Approvals Available on OSCAR
Certain courses from this school have been given standing approval on the Transfer Equivalency Table found on OSCAR. If a course you would like to take is listed on this table, you do not need to seek additional approval. If a course you would like to take is not listed on this table, you need to seek approval for the course via the Foreign Credit Approval form.
CREDIT TRANSFER SYSTEM
This information is intended for undergraduates students only. Graduate students must speak with their academic unit to to determine the acceptance of transfer credits.
HKUST uses the following credit transfer system:
1 HKUST credit = 1 GT credit
GRADING SYSTEM
HKUST uses the following grading system listed below:
HKUST Grade = US Grade
A = A
B = B
C = C
D = D
F = F
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Eligible students must meet the following criteria:
PROGRAM COSTS
The same matriculation, tuition and other mandatory fees (including transportation, technology, activity, health, and athletic) apply to a term abroad as would normally at Georgia Tech. Exchange students must pay tuition and fees to the GT Bursar for each semester they are abroad. No other expenses associated with this program are paid to GT; instead, these expenses are paid on site.
Keep in mind the costs of books, health insurance, food, living expenses, and travel money, as well as pre-departure costs like your passport and visa. Compared to GT, the cost of living and eating on campus is much less expensive than at GT. However, Hong Kong is generally more expensive than most areas of the United States. The cost of imported goods is especially high.
The currency in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Dollar. Please click here for current exchange rates.
***HKUST has generously offered a $5,000 lump-sum scholarship to one GT College of Sciences student who will be participating in our exchange with their School of Science. This scholarship is likely to be renewed in the upcoming years. Please contact the advisor for this program for more information on how to apply.***
DON"T FORGET TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!! See the OIE web site for more info: click here
Following are cost estimates for one semester at HKUST that may help you prepare for your term(s) abroad. All costs are in USD.
In State Tuition $3,035 Out of State Tuition $3,285 GT Mandatory Fees $818 Books and Supplies $200 Administrative and/or Application fees $0 Miscellaneous (includes passport/visa fees, required field trips, local transportation and incidentals) $1,600 Roundtrip Airfare $1,450 Room and Board $2,950 Additional Language Instruction $0 Mandatory Insurance $350 Total $10,403 (in state) $10,653 (out of state)
*Out-of-state students pay in state tuition, plus $250 for this exchange program.
*Costs in the preceding chart are estimates for undergraduates based on tuition rates posted by the GT Bursar for "continuing students." Guaranteed tuition rates, graduate tuition rates, and MBA tuition rates vary. Please check the GT Bursar's web site click here to confirm actual tuition rates based on degree, term, or level of study. Actual costs may be higher or lower than those listed above, depending on the exchange rate and personal spending habits/needs.
HOUSING AND MEALS
Housing
HKUST arranges for exchange students to have an on-campus room in the one of the Undergraduate (UG) Halls. In the UG Halls, most of the rooms are doubles and residents share hall showers and bathrooms. The rooms are air-conditioned and furnished with a bed, desk, closet, and bookshelf. There is a lounge, a refrigerator, sink and microwave on each floor. The entire campus, including the dorms, offer wireless internet. You'll have the option of sharing a room with another exchange student or with a local student. We recommend that you live with a local student so that you'll have more of an immersion experience, but the choice is yours.
Meals
There are several places to eat on campus, including two cafeterias, a western-style restaurant, and a late night noodle shop. Food is relatively inexpensive on campus, but you should expect to pay a bit more for meals in the western-style eateries. here are several restaurants in nearby Saikung, which you can reach easily by public transportation. Top
INSURANCE
Students participating in this program will be assessed $150 per semester for mandatory insurance coverage. You will be covered by T.W. Lord and Associates. For detailed information about this insurance plan, click here. Participants must also purchase an insurance policy through HKUST, which offers different required coverage than the T.W. Lord & Assoc. insurance. These costs are included in the above cost estimates for the program.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
HKUST has a large and active student union organization that is composed of over 70 clubs and societies spanning all interests. On campus there are also excellent indoor and outdoor sports and fitness facilities, including a rock climbing wall. In addition, rugby enthusiast should be thrilled to know that this island is home of the biggest Seven's Tournament in the world. For more details on student activities and recreational facilities on campus, click here.
Exchange students will attend an orientation and have the opportunity to be paired up with a local "buddy" student. Students may arrive up to one week before the start of the semester to participate in tours of the Hong Kong region (at extra cost).
CLIMATE
Hong Kong is on almost exactly the same latitude as Hawaii and has a similar subtropical climate. In the summer, the seasonal wind called the "Monsoon" brings hot wind from the south. Average summer temperatures range from 82ºF to 95ºF. It stays relatively hot and sunny through most of December until the cold front movies in for January and February. Temperatures do drop, but snow and frost are rare. Average winter temperatures range from 40ºF to 59ºF. Beware of showers in the winter; they're usually chilly. Also, be prepared to witness typhoons if you happen to be there in September. Our advice to you is to take a sturdy umbrella, temperate weather clothes, and a "Monsoon" breaker.
VISA AND PASSPORT INFORMATION
Complete information about how to apply for or renew a U.S. passport is available from the GT Office of International Education or online: click here
As a University Exchange Student, you will need a valid passport and visa. HKUST will send you the visa paperwork and will assist you in getting your visa.
YOUR NEXT STEPS
To begin the process of participating in this exchange, please do the following:
EXPERIENCES OF FORMER STUDENTS
click here
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Jennifer Evanuik, Study Abroad Advisor (Exchange Programs)
GT Office of International Education
631 Cherry Street
Savant Building, Suite 211
Atlanta, GA 30332-0284
Phone: (404)894-7475 Fax: (404)894-9682
E-mail: jennifer.evanuik@oie.gatech.edu
OIE web site: click here
Host/Program Web Site: click here
Hong Kong
China
Asia
Semester
Fall: 16, Spring: 18
12
English/Cantonese
For more info, contact OIE.
Can I go abroad while pursuing a GT degree?
GT students have many opportunities to participate in semester/exchange and study abroad programs. In a semester program, you actually take classes with the host universitys students and faculty. (In some cases, this means that you must have excellent knowledge of the local language to participate). Semester program participants usually pay normal GT tuition and fees for each term abroad. Credits can be pre-approved to transfer back to GT so that you do not get behind in your studies. The application deadline for fall and academic year programs is in early February; for spring programs the deadline is in September/October.
In a study abroad program, the courses are taught by GT faculty and you register for regular GT courses. Residents pay normal matriculation fees, but do not pay ancillary fees (athletic, health, etc.). Non-residents only pay resident matriculation plus $250 ($1500 for GTL Summer/$2000 for GTL Spring/Fall) . This is a savings of over $6,000 for out-of-state students who participate in GT study abroad programs as full-time students! Deadlines for summer study abroad programs vary from early January to mid-February.
In most cases, if you are eligible for financial aid or scholarships, you can apply your grants, scholarships, and/or loans toward the expenses associated with participating in all GT programs.
GTs International Plan: More than just study abroad
Your major is participating in this new initiative!
The International Plan is an intensive, degree-long program designed to prepare GT graduates professionally and personally for successful lives in the 21st century. Requirements of the program include international coursework, two terms abroad (any combination of study, research or internship abroad), proficiency in a second language, and a culminating course. Students who complete the program will have a designation on their diploma indicating completion of the degree with global competence: for example, BS in Mechanical Engineering: International Plan. For more information or an application, contact your major advisor or OIE and visit the website: click here