Monday, January 16, 2012
Business Badgers Abroad Blog
My name is Belle Lin – I am a current junior in the Wisconsin School of Business majoring in Marketing & Management and Human Resources. My hometown is Shoreview, Minnesota.
I will be studying abroad at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s School of Business and Management starting February of 2012.
Studying abroad during college has always been important to me. Studying in Hong Kong, however, means more to me now as a junior in a BBA program than when I first envisioned packing up and heading out of the country for a semester. For me, Hong Kong is a great fusion of Eastern and Western cultures in a rapidly emerging region. I’ll be studying at a top-tier university while gaining international exposure in Asia. The opportunities to travel to neighboring countries are a short train ride or flight away!
Academically, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has a world-renowned undergraduate business program. I want to challenge myself to get the most out of HKUST’s rigorous academics. Outside of classes, I look forward to rubbing shoulders with peers from all around the world. I’d like to see class projects, the news, issues, and the business world from their viewpoints.
Study abroad also offers so many opportunities for personal growth and development. It’s a chance for any young person to step out of a comfort zone, take risks, and learn how to be adaptable. This experience is a way to better understand the world around me.
A booming economy, Hong Kong is a great starting point for an international career. It mixes Chinese culture with Western influence and language. The study abroad experience in Hong Kong allows me to check out the international marketplace – all while still in college.
I also see this experience as an opportunity to create a global network of friends. Hong Kong’s location makes it easy to travel to Singapore, Thailand, China, Japan; the list goes on and on. I’m getting a head start on my international rolodex.
I can’t wait to travel, be in tropical weather on a beautiful campus, and visit Central Hong Kong. I’m also looking forward to meeting the native and exchange students.