[aznkk]

Hi, I'm planning to study abroad in CUHK from the US. But I don't know how much it would cost me and being a college student, i'm pretty much broke. So i need to plan carefully on my budget. Any info about the daily expense and monthly expense would be helpful. Such as food, transportation, entertainment, and personal expense.

Would it be cheaper to rent off-campus then to live on-campus?

Living standard higher in HK then in the US?

Is SARs still a major issue? is it really coming back in the winter? Also i heard recently there were a lot of strikes and protest. Would it affect me in any way?

My decision of going or not must be in this week. So i'm a bit pressured. I just can't get rid of my procastination. j/k


Thanks
Kevin

[HKFella]

In conventionally accepted terminology:
Living standard: generally higher in USA than in HK
Cost of living: generally higher in HK than in USA

NY may be different re the second part.

[vivek]

living on-campus should be cheaper.
scholarship is ~ 2000 USD per month, and students can save upto half that.

SARs is not an issue anymore .. atleast until winter.
HK people are generally peaceful during riots.. unless ofcourse, you look like the shiang-gang Bighead Carp

[abhi]

Scholarships are generally for post graduate students registering for Masters of Phil and Phd programs (not MS). The current level for schol is around 13K-14K HK$/month

The university tution fees (u must be knowing) is around 40K HK$per year

Expenses:

Residence,
Students normally spend about (mostly less than) 2000 HK$ / month as house rent, 2-3 students share a flat. On-campus residence is limited and might be more/less than sharing a flat on a case by case basis. The Idea of flat is very different from the idea of an appartment in the US. They are just too small. HK is all about property.

Transportation,
one gets upto 50% student discount if under 25yrs of age. If you stay around campus (less travel), than 'public' transportation expenses would typically be around 300-400 HK$/month including some recreation within hk during weekends.

Food,
Typically canteens on campus have lunch/dinner in the range of 15-25 HKD/meal. If you cook , might be less.

Beer,
supermarket: 5-15 HK$,
bars-n-pubs: (happy hours) 20-35$

Lemme know if you need anymore info on any other specific expenses etc.

[aznkk]

Do think a budget of 3,000 US is enough for one semester?

[vivek]

good info Abhi !

aznkk, 3000USD per sem may just be ok if you don't have to pay tuition.

Without financial aid, I would imagine studying in HK is not worth the trouble. Anyway, besides scholarship, students can also apply for tuition waiver, but that's on a case-by-case and yearly basis. And if I remember correctly (atleast for PhD), part-time students have to pay only half tuition fees. During this time, they can work as research officers in the univ with slightly higher pay, but then they need valid visa.

[aznkk]

everything is covered beside personal expense, travel, food.
Anything related to school is cover by my US college, beside book cost.

so with 3000 i will be fine?

thanks a bunch

[shri]

I do think you'll be ok.

[bruin1971]

My son spent last Fall semester at CUHK. Although he also manage to squeeze in side trips to Thailand, Japan, and Macau, he was able to survive on approximately $4000 for the semester. He did stay on campus since he was part of the University of California Education Abroad program. Moreover, his tuition fees and housing costs were paid for before he went to Hong Kong.

As another writer noted, lunch and dinner can be had on campus at the canteens. At times the language barrier caused mistakes in the ordering but my son always tried whatevely was finally presented to him. For the most part, he found the food on campus to be reasonably priced. Also, he and his fellow students spent quite a bit of time clubbing in Hong Kong on the weekends. Hong Kong is just a short train ride away (although you do have to transfer to the MTR once you get there). According to him, drink prices were very expensive.

All in all, he had a great time and brought back a lot of memories from his time abroad. One note, the CUHK campus is very hilly so take advantage of the university bus system. May you enjoy your time in Hong Kong and at CUHK as well.

[aznkk]

Its really hilly and steep. I got to cuhk on the 25th hk time. Once i got to hk and left the airport i was hit by the heat wave. I took for granted the dry and low humidity level of the states. Its so sticky in hk, sometime i just want to stay in my room with the ac on. But i manage to get myself out into the world. Food was that expensive but i had to caculate for 4 months of eating and see if i have enough to buy some electronics, but the prices here are similar to the states. Bargaining in computer stores is a must right? but it never seem to work.