The Review 2009

12 The Review 2009 • Teaching Timo has found the variety of student backgrounds an especially strong point. “All universities claim to be international but I think HKU is one of the most international ones. You see people from different backgrounds all the time, in the classes, in my residential hall. It gives me a much broader perspective than if I’d stayed in Helsinki.” His outlook was broadened further under the Faculty of Social Sciences’ requirement that students spend time overseas. Stef and Timo joined a two- month programme in Ghana in the summer of 2009, where they taught in local public schools. They were joined by a Japanese student and the only language they had in common was English. “We were able to see at least a part of Africa and understand it in a different way. You always hear about the problems of Africa but people there lead normal lives, they go to work each day and they have their jollies. They’re quite well off,” he said. “It was a very rewarding experience,” Stef said, “but it was difficult at the beginning because I couldn’t use my mother tongue to communicate with anyone. I was able to improve my communication skills so the difference became mainly cultural. I learned better how to deal with people of different cultures, their living habits and customs, and how to respect that.” Fresh Hope for a Troubled Homeland Simbi Mandizvidza came to HKU from Zimbabwe, one of the most troubled countries in Africa. Her hopes for her homeland were one reason why she chose to study for a BBA in Accounting and Finance here. “The Asian market is booming and flourishing and I thought this is a place where I could learn. I want to take that knowledge home to help the economy in Zimbabwe as much as I can,” she said. “HKU really fits my career goals. I hope to be a financial leader back home. The programme for accounting and finance in my opinion is the best, there are many internship possibilities, the professors are great, and they teach me leadership skills and presentation skills – all these things that are very important.” Simbi has also been impressed by the strong support offered to international students at HKU. She came here via Romania where she spent a year pursuing medical studies before deciding that medicine and Romania were not for her. “I really like the orientations here and being able to talk to older students and different faculty members. You don’t feel like you have to find your own way and you never feel lonely. And if you do, there are lots of people to talk to. We have a saying in Zimbabwe. Once one Zimbabwean goes to a place, the next year there will be 50 and the year after that 100. I will definitely encourage other Zimbabweans to come here.” “Once one Zimbabwean goes to a place, the next year there will be 50 and the year after that 100. I will definitely encourage other Zimbabweans to come here” 13 The Review 2009 • Teaching Academic ambitions brought Dai Liang to HKU from Fudan University, where he had completed one year of undergraduate studies before moving here in 2006. He was keen to put himself on track for a career in research and the use of English at HKU and the freedom to tailor his learning to his academic interests were a major draw. “English-language instruction is important because most advanced research on economics is in English. I also read the programme syllabus and saw there was room to design my studies for my personal development,” he said. Liang took a heavy load of mathematics and postgraduate economics courses to prepare himself for academia. “My father is a professor and I feel that I have a suitable temperament for research,” he said. Undergraduate Designs His Own Studies “I think the most important thing I got from HKU was the freedom to choose what I wanted to study” He spent his second year on exchange at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was able to study behavioural economics and take a PhD course in mathematical economics, as well as assist in some experiments. “I took 10 courses at Berkeley and I was able to get credit for them even though they aren’t all offered at HKU. “I think the most important thing I got from HKU was the freedom to choose what I wanted to study. I also received advice from the professors, who were very approachable and willing to help me. I got more than I expected here,” he said. Liang graduated with a Bachelor of Economics and Finance in 2009 and has moved to Princeton University for postgraduate studies. Dai Liang shares his knowledge with students.