Life-changing exchange experiences at LU
Every year, Lingnan University (LU) welcomes incoming exchange students from over 260 exchange partners in 51 countries and regions worldwide to the LU campus for a fabulous study-abroad experience in Hong Kong. In 2022–23, a group of exchange students from our Mexican exchange partners spent a full semester at LU to advance their academic knowledge, expand their potential in and out of the classroom and experience the amazing adventure that Hong Kong has to offer. Mr Christian Imanol Ruiz Hurtado from Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico, spoke with Lingnan Link about his life-changing exchange experience.
During his 4 months at LU, Christian decided to take some exciting courses at LU that were outside the major focus of his studies in mechatronics engineering but in line with his diverse academic interests. For example, he enjoyed Marketing Management, which emphasises self-learning and gives students a holistic view of how marketing functions in an organisation, both as a management philosophy and as an activity. He greatly appreciated the rigorous and engaging teaching and learning methods in this course, which exemplify LU’s liberal arts education philosophy. In particular, the focus on experiential learning provided him with valuable insights into the business world.
Christian’s arrival at LU in Term 1, 2022–2023.
Christian also took some of the cluster courses featured in our liberal arts curriculum structure, which provides students with exposure to a wider variety of subjects than they may otherwise encounter. He picked two courses from the cluster of management and society that examine conditions and control in organisations and discuss the implications of wider management issues to develop a better understanding of the social responsibility and ethics of individuals and corporations in society. In Getting to Yes through Negotiation, he learned the theory of negotiation and the skills necessary for improving negotiation outcomes, which sharpened his problem-solving capabilities and cooperative skills. Stress Management, Health and Life Balance guided him to look through the lens of applied psychology into the concept of stress management, which can enable people to cope with changes, stress and burnout resulting from the enormous transformations that are occurring in global and local economic, social and cultural development in today’s fast-paced world. These courses appealed to Christian, as he is highly motivated and always seeking opportunities for self-improvement.
Christian reflected that his interactive and dynamic learning experience at LU was quite different from the approach of his home institution in Mexico. He found that the LU professors were passionate, knowledgeable, approachable and always ready to help answer his questions, which allowed him to actively engage with his coursework. He appreciated this unique close student-faculty relationship, which is a core feature of LU’s liberal arts teaching and learning philosophy.
Living in the fully residential campus at LU was an enjoyable experience for Christian. He found that the LU dormitories were comfortable and allowed easy access to a range of amenities, such as a gym and swimming pool. He joined the LU squash team to keep up with his hobby and connect with some local players. On the lively and bustling LU campus, he met students from different countries and cultures, learnt about their customs and made many new friends. Christian greatly valued this diversity of the LU student body, as it gave him new perspectives on and insights into a wide variety of topics, both inside and outside the classroom.
Group photograph of the LU Squash Team.
Like any other incoming exchange student, Christian took the opportunity to explore the city and its surroundings. As he shared, “The city itself is vibrant, with a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, and I was able to explore its many attractions, including its social life, festivals and museums. Hong Kong also has many hiking trails that offer beautiful views of the city and its natural landscapes”. Christian found Hong Kong true to its reputation as a “food paradise”. In addition to a vast array of dishes from both local and international cuisines, street food is widely available in Hong Kong, with stalls offering everything from skewered meats to fresh seafood. He savoured many popular local dishes, including dim sum, roast goose and dumplings. His time at LU allowed him to explore and enjoy the rich cultural and social experiences that Hong Kong has to offer.
Christian hiking with friends in Lion Rock Country Park, Hong Kong.
Christian enjoying dim sum at the on-campus Chinese restaurant with local and incoming exchange friends.
Studying at LU contributed significantly to Christian’s further studies and career planning. The experience of studying abroad in a country with different culture and language to his own opened his mind to new possibilities and experiences. He gained a deeper understanding of the global business and social environment in classes, which fuelled his career development and provided him with a competitive edge in the job market. In his words, “This academic experience turned out to be a life-changing opportunity for me, and I am grateful for every moment that I spent at this amazing university. I would highly recommend LU to any student looking for an exceptional learning experience that will help them to achieve their career goals”.