FAQ

Information of subsidy schemes available for students attending exchange activities to Mainland China can be found on https://www.chinavision.hku.hk/funding.

Valid Home Return Permit (回鄉證) is required for HK citizens to travel to the Mainland. For non-HK citizens, Exit-Entry Permit or passport with valid visa is required. Students are responsible for preparing their own travelling documents.

HKU will provide basic overseas travel insurance for students who were successfully nominated by Mainland Affairs Office. However, students are strongly recommended to make extra travel insurance arrangement according to individual needs, especially for those who wish to advance or extend their stay in the destination(s). For the university coverage, please refer to the policy for undergraduates and postgraduates provided by Finance and Enterprise Office for reference (SIS menu -> Financial Services -> FEO info & hotlines -> Finance and Enterprises Office -> Insurance info for students). Mainland Affairs Office will not be responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss, damage, expense, and claim of any description that occurred during the students’ participation in the Programme.

HKU has engaged the Inter Partner Assistance (“IPA”) to provide worldwide emergency assistance to students while you are staying overseas, such as information on nearby clinic/ pharmacy, police station, translation services or travel security advice. The IPA 24/7 Assistance Center hotline is +852 2861 9266, and HKU membership number is “39379”. Students are strongly advised to create an account using HKU email address at IPA Registration before travelling out of Hong Kong. A quick guideline could be downloaded at IPA Assistance Access . IPA is NOT an insurance company to provide compensations or financial support under the insurance terms. Please visit this link for details.

Please consult your faculty regarding the credit transfer application or related issues. The Faculty has the final authority to decide the number of courses and credits taken at the host university to be transferred back to HKU towards your degree.

Establish your own lifestyle with increased personal independence and responsibility Appreciate the opportunities to exercise your judgment with problem independently Make sense of a new culture through listening and observations and adapt to different attitudes, values, lifestyles, and ways of thinking Understand the academic expectations and different learning culture in your host university Have sensitivity when being asked about your first impression of your host university/country. It is appropriate to give neutral comments because you are new to your host university and unfamiliar with her traditions and culture Develop new friendships and social networks If you find yourself confused or disoriented in the initial period, try to remember that this is a natural stage to go through. The key to managing new experiences is to be as prepared as possible, and expect unfamiliarity​

Avoid going out after midnight or in a known high-crime area Carry whistle or other personal safety device in case you are in danger Monitor alcohol consumption and aware of the legal age to buy alcohol Wear your backpack on your front in crowded areas Do not accept rides from strangers Do not carry large sums of cash Keep emergency numbers in a handy place and report any suspicious incidents to the campus security department (but remember not to misuse the phone calling) Just in case if you are now facing the natural disaster: Do not place heavy or hard objects on high shelves if there is any earthquake. Get under a sturdy table and stay away from concrete objects that could fall over Do not use elevators Follow the directions of the personnel in charge if you are in a large public area Place a bag over your head for protection from falling objects if you are on the street, or even you can put on a helmet or a cushion to protect your head

Pre-travel consultation You should discuss with your family doctor before travel if you have any medical problem Medications that you need to take regularly should be carried as hand baggage Make a record of medicines that you are using Check with your travel agent, doctor or your host university for the types of vaccines required. These may include vaccination against hepatitis A and B, yellow fever (required under the International Health Regulations if you visit certain countries in Africa and South America), typhoid fever, etc. If vaccination is required, inform the health professional about any allergy you may have before receiving the vaccine Prepare a travel medical kit containing a thermometer, masks, desindectants such as alochol swabs and mdeications as Consider obtaining travler's health insurance because medical care can be costly or not readily available overseas, and sometimes repatriation is needed Diarrhoea (腹瀉) Drink plenty of fluid and eat a diet of non-greasy, easily digestible food Avoiding Mosquito-Borne Diseases Mosquito can transmit several lethal diseases such as Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever, Japanese Encephalitis and Malaria Avoid being outdoors during mosquito feeding times (between duck and dawn for Malaria, daytime for Dengue Fever) Stay in air-conditioned rooms or those protected by screens Apply insect repellent to exposed skin. Choose one containing DEET (N, Ndienthyl-3-benzamide). Repeated application may be required. Concentration of “DEET” should not exceed 35% for adult (all undergraduates are assumed to be an adult) Sexually transmitted diseases Beware of the dangers of casual sex while you are abroad (or even go to mainland as well) A single exposure is sufficient to transimt HIV virus (which cause AIDS) or other sexually transmitted diseases if your sexual partner happens to be a carrier Using condoms correctly provides some protection from getting the sexually transmitted disease but the golden rule is to refrain from promiscuity and never have sex with strangers Accidents When hiring vehicles, you should check carefully the insurance coverage, a well as the state of the tyres, safety belts, lights, brakes, etc. Be careful in high-risk activities like sky driving, shooting rapids, high altitude trekking, diving, etc. After the trip If you have fever, rash, to name just a few, that you had been to an area with a recent outbreak of infectious diseases or had been in contact with some sick people or had travelled to rural or developing areas, remember to tell your doctor where you have been For further information, please visit UHS website at http://www.uhs.hku.hk/he/travel_health/main.html. Additional information of health tips for travelers The World Health Organization https://www.who.int/ The Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong http://www.chp.gov.hk ** Before travel, for the person who (1) feels unwell or has a fever and (2) has been in close contact with suspected or confirmed Avian Flu/Middle East Respiratory Syndrome patients in the last 10/14 days, is advised NOT to travel and should seek medical advice

China (today’s China) http://www.chinatoday.com.cn/english/ HK Immigration Department https://www.immd.gov.hk/ Mainland Affairs Office, HKU https://mainlandaffairs.hku.hk/ International Affairs Office, HKU https://aal.hku.hk/studyabroad/ Hong Kong Tourism Board https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/index.jsp Education Bureau, The Government of the HKSAR https://www.edb.gov.hk/ Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China in the HKSAR http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/ HKSAR Security Bureau Outbound Travel Alert System https://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/

You are advised to familiarize yourself with the services provided by the ‘Assistance to Hong Kong Residents in the Mainland’ http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/Assistance_Outside_Hong_Kong.html#b

As for any crisis threatening your personal safety, you should: Contact the local emergency authorities for assistance Speak with the contact person of your host university Ring up the HK Immigration Department 24-hour hotline: (852) 1868 Inform your parents /relatives/friends in Hong Kong