My name is Sabina, and I’m from Almaty, Kazakhstan. I currently study at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, also known as HKUST. I am in a dual degree program, where students receive two degrees: one from engineering and one from business. My majors are Computer Science and Economics, and I also have a minor in Mathematics.
I have just finished my second year at HKUST and am now entering my third year. Looking back, Hong Kong was not the only place I considered, but it became the option that combined strong academics, financial support and career opportunities.
Why I Decided to Study Abroad
I studied at Nazarbayev Intellectual School, where many students generally wanted to study abroad. Because of that, the idea of international education became familiar to me quite early, around ninth or tenth grade.
For me, the main challenge was choosing a country that would provide significant financial aid while still offering strong academic and career opportunities. Hong Kong seemed like a good option because it is international, career-oriented, and especially strong in finance, business, and technology.
Why HKUST?
One of the main reasons I chose HKUST was its academic reputation. The university is highly respected in engineering, computer science, data science, and business. Since I was interested in both technology and economics, HKUST’s dual degree program felt especially suitable for me.
Hong Kong itself was also a major factor. It is one of the financial centers of the world, with many global companies having offices there. For students who want to go into technology, finance, orconsulting, studying in Hong Kong can create many career opportunities.
Financial aid also played an important role. I was awarded the Belt and Road Scholarship from the Hong Kong government, which made studying at HKUST possible for me. I had also applied to NUS and NTU in Singapore and was accepted, but they offered only around 70% tuition coverage. Financially, that was not enough for my family, so HKUST became the more realistic choice.
Academic Profile & Application Process
When I applied to HKUST, I had a 5.0 GPA and graduated with honors. My SAT score was 1540, and my IELTS score was 8.0.
In my opinion, Hong Kong universities care a lot about academic statistics and quantitative factors. Strong grades and test scores matter a lot, especially for admission. However, extracurricular activities can still help, particularly when applying for scholarships.
For HKUST, I submitted five extracurricular activities. Some of the most important ones included my participation in the International Economics Olympiad, where I received an honorable mention, and a startup project I worked on with students from different NIS schools. Our project used a computer vision model to predict transportation accidents, and we pitched it at different competitions.
For the scholarship, I also had to write a separate personal statement. Since many admitted students are already academically strong, I think extracurriculars helped me show more personality and demonstrate that I had experience beyond just studying.
Personal Statement
HKUST required one personal statement. It was more direct and formal than the U.S. personal statement. Instead of writing a very personal narrative, I had to explain who I was, why I wanted to study at HKUST, and why I chose my intended major.
For HKUST, applicants usually apply to a specific school or program. In some cases, students may also need to choose a specific major. Because of that, it is important to understand your academic interests before applying and explain clearly why your chosen field makes sense for you.
Academic Life at HKUST
HKUST is a very challenging university academically. Many students are extremely strong, including international Olympiad winners in subjects like math, physics, and informatics. Because of that, it is very common to feel imposter syndrome.
Even if you were one of the best students in high school, HKUST can humble you quickly. The grading system is relative, and only a limited percentage of students receive grades in the A range. Maintaining a high GPA requires consistent studying.
My scholarship is renewed every year based on academic standing. The minimum requirement for my scholarship is around a 3.0 GPA on HKUST’s 4.3 scale. This may sound manageable, but because of the competition and grading system, it can be difficult.
At first, adapting to the academic culture was hard. But over time, I learned how to manage my time and find the right study method for each course. Engineering courses require problem-solving and technical thinking, while business courses are often more presentation-based and require communication skills. I like that my program develops both sides.
Student Life in Hong Kong
HKUST has a very international campus. There are many students from Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, and other regions. The students here are ambitious and driven, which pushes you to improve yourself.
At the same time, HKUST is not the best choice for someone who wants a very relaxed university experience. The workload is heavy, and during most of the semester, you need to study consistently. There is time to rest, especially at the beginning of the semester or after exams, but academics are still a major part of student life.
Hong Kong itself is a very safe, clean, and international city. Many people speak English, and it is easy to find places to explore. There are beaches, islands, hiking trails and many areas outside campus to visit.
Opportunities Outside the Classroom
One of the strongest parts of HKUST is the number of career-related opportunities. My program has courses that collaborate with companies such as Google, UBS, and other organizations. Students work on consulting-style projects and present their work to real companies.
I am also part of the International Consulting Club. Through this club, I worked with a paper packaging company that produces packaging for companies like Sony and Apple. Our project focused on how the company could digitalize its testing system. It was both technical and consulting-based, so I could combine both of my majors. At the end, the company liked our work and offered our team a summer internship.
HKUST also has strong exchange opportunities. Students can go to universities such as Cornell, UPenn, Bocconi, and other partner institutions. I have not gone on exchange yet, but I am planning to apply later, possibly to Europe.
Career Opportunities
Hong Kong is a strong place for students interested in STEM and business fields. Many major companies recruit there, including BlackRock, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and other financial firms.
Right now, I am doing an internship in Hong Kong at an asset management company as a trading assistant intern. Through this internship, I am learning about trading, stocks, bonds, ETFs, Bloomberg Terminal, and the trade life cycle.
I think HKUST can definitely help students in the job market, especially at the beginning of their careers. Some companies recruit mostly from HKUST, HKU, and CUHK. Of course, there are exceptions, but having HKUST on your resume can be a strong advantage.
If I Could Do Something Differently
Looking back, I would still choose HKUST. Even though it was not my original dream university, I have never regretted my decision.
The university is academically difficult, but it gives students many opportunities. The campus is beautiful, the environment is ambitious, and Hong Kong is a great place to study and build a career.
Advice for Applicants
My biggest advice is to stay open to different options.
The application process is very competitive, especially for students who need financial aid. Do not focus on only one university or one country. Even within Hong Kong, there are many universities, and each one has different scholarship opportunities.
If one university does not give enough financial aid, another one might. Apply broadly, keep your options open, and do not assume there is only one correct path.
For Hong Kong universities, strong academics are very important. But if you want a scholarship, you also need to show personality, initiative, and meaningful extracurricular involvement.
In the end, I believe things can work out in your favor, even if the final destination is not the one you originally expected.
