Internship Feedback

The published internship feedbacks have not been proofread or edited so please excuse spelling or grammatical mistakes and stylistic shortcomings.

Ing. Matyas Krupa, Brno University of Technology,

year 5

About the country

Location of the place

Hong Kong is a large, bustling metropolis with a unique mix of urban and natural landscapes. The city's skyline is filled with skyscrapers, but it also has many green areas, mountains, and beaches nearby.

City

The city center is very densely populated. It looks very modern and has excellent public transportation. There is a strait between the mainland and Hong Kong Island, offering beautiful views both day and night. Life here is extremely fast-paced, and you can really see that on the streets.

Surroundings (possible trips, ...)

I took trips every weekend to nearby islands, like Lantau, Lamma and Cheung Chau, which offer a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the busy city. I also visited hiking trails in the New Territories, you can also see a lot of exotic animals there. I recommend visiting the temples to experience the Buddhist culture.

Employer

I worked at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, in Professor An's group. On the first day, everything was explained to me, and all communication went smoothly.

Work description

My work focused on the topic described in the O-form, specifically fuel cells. It involved gaining knowledge about them, creating presentations, and conducting tests in the laboratory. We had weekly meetings where we presented our progress and set goals for the following week. The beginning was more focused on theoretical research of the topic, while the end involved lab testing.

Salary (sufficient for local conditions?)

According to the contract, I received 9,000 HKD per month. It's enough to live on, even though I traveled a lot. I managed to save a little, but it didn’t cover the cost of plane tickets. You only receive the money during the second month, so it's important to have a substantial financial reserve prepared in advance.

Language requirements

English was sufficient for communication with colleagues and other interns. It's an official language in Hong Kong, so you can usually get by almost anywhere. Sometimes, for example in restaurants, it can be a bit more difficult with menus only in Cantonese, but I always managed somehow. Google Translate is a big help.

Accommodation (price, who provided it)

I had accommodation arranged at the local halls within walking distance of the campus. The cost was 112 HKD per night. The rooms were small and simple, but for local standards, the price was very cheap. All the interns stayed together on the same floor, which was great. We had the chance to get to know each other and do everything together. The accommodation included free access to a pool, gym, table tennis, and common rooms, which was really fantastic.

Social life

Meeting IAESTE members (pick-up at the airport, organized events...)

At the beginning, I was contacted by a member of IAESTE Hong Kong, who picked me up at the station and showed me around, explaining everything. During the internship, IAESTE HK took great care of us. They organized a total of three events: a welcome luncheon at a hotel restaurant, a Dim Sum making class with lunch, and a traditional Chinese fan painting activity. All the events were fantastic and really fun.

Meeting other foreign students

I met the other interns right after arriving, and officially on the first workday. There were quite a few of us from various parts of the world, and we formed a great group. We would go out to restaurants, explore the surroundings, watch movies, and spend a lot of time together. On our days off, we always planned longer trips, which was great.

Sport and culture

The sports facilities were right at the dorms. As for outdoor sports, it’s quite challenging due to the heat and humidity. Locals don’t really hike during the summer, but it wasn’t a problem for us. The culture is completely different—from food, religion, and transportation to social interactions. There’s a lot to get used to and discover.

Food, local specialties

In Hong Kong, people don’t cook at home much; they tend to eat out at restaurants or street stalls. The prices of meals were similar (often even cheaper) than in the Czech Republic, so we tried new restaurants and dishes every day. It’s often a gamble since you have no idea what you’re ordering. My favorites were stuffed dumplings and various Asian soups. I was surprised that the food wasn’t as spicy as I expected and that beer in stores is very cheap, plus drinking alcohol in public is allowed.

Other information

Possibilites to communicate with the Czech Republic

We used email for communication, and everything went smoothly.

Recommendations for students who will go to the same place

Don’t be afraid to try new things and foods, and travel a lot. Do things like the locals do. At the beginning, we were told that due to visa restrictions, we couldn’t travel to places like China, Macau, or Taiwan. However, this didn’t turn out to be an issue, so definitely go.

What not to forget with you

It’s a big city where you can find pretty much anything. So, I recommend leaving space in your suitcase for souvenirs and shopping. The power sockets are different, but adapters can be bought everywhere. If you take any medication, bring it with you, as local pharmacies mainly focus on Chinese medicine. Western products and food are quite limited and expensive, but I personally didn’t mind at all.

Benefits of the internship

This internship gave me so much. It was a very interesting experience in a country far from Europe. It was a valuable work experience that looks good on my CV. It helped improve my English, made me more independent, and better at solving problems. Most importantly, I met a lot of new friends from different parts of the world, and we’re still in touch.

Cooperation with IAESTE in the foreign country

All the cooperation and communication with IAESTE HK was absolutely excellent and without any issues.

Overall experience with IAESTE

This was my first internship with IAESTE, and I’m incredibly happy with it. It provided great experiences and memories, and IAESTE was very helpful with everything.