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Kateřina Kameníková, IAESTE UK Praha,

ročník 4

Faculty

Faculty of Pharmacy

Field of study

Pharmacy

Field of internship

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Specialization of Internship

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Internship period (from - to)

02.07.2025 - 13.08.2025

Internship duration (weeks)

Transport (means, price)

flight, 20 000 Czk

Insurance/Insurance company

AXA

Visa/Work permit (yes/no)

yes

Price of Visa

615 HKD

City of Internship

China - Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Internship reference number

HK/2025-ABCT-02

About the country

Location of the place

My internship took place in Hong Kong. It is a big, modern city with a mix of Asian and Western culture. The city is safe, and public transport works well. It was easy to move around and explore different parts of the city.

City

Hong Kong is a very large city. But even though it is big, many areas feel small and peaceful. There is a lot of nature, especially in the mountains and on the islands. The city feels very alive, even at night. I visited Victoria Peak, the night markets, and shopping streets.

Surroundings (possible trips, ...)

There are many great trips you can take. I recommend going to Lantau Island to see the Big Buddha, or hiking the Dragon’s Back trail. The beaches at Sai Kung are beautiful. You can also take a boat to small islands like Cheung Chau.

Employer

I was employed at the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The university campus was large, but still considered one of the smallest (in China), so it was easy to get around on foot. There were also several restaurants and canteens at the university, so I could try different dishes for lunch every day.

Work description

I helped with simple lab tasks and worked on a scientific topic that was new for me (phage display). I read research articles and observed laboratory techniques. Sometimes I helped with pipetting, data analysis, or preparing materials. I also learned about other lab methods like Western blotting or PCR. The topic was different from what I had studied before, but it was very interesting. I learned a lot of new things.

Salary (sufficient for local conditions?)

I received HKD 11,730 for month and I got paid at the end of the month. It was helpful for food and transport. But I needed to use my own money for accommodation and free time activities. I recommend bringing extra money.

Language requirements

Most people at the university spoke English well, however sometimes the language barrier was really huge and the translator was needed. In shops or restaurants, some people spoke only basic English, but I was always able to communicate.

Accommodation (price, who provided it)

I stayed in Kowloon - PolyU Student Halls of Residence (Ho Man Tin), near the university. I lived in student housing with other interns. Girls stayed on one floor, and boys on the floor below.The dorm had a shared kitchen, laundry and common areas. It was simple but comfortable. I had to pay the whole payment on the day of arrival, I paid 120 HKD/night and refundable caution money - 1,000 HKD.

Social life

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

Nobody picked me up at the airport. I got instructions how to get to the dorms on my own. I took a bus A22 that goes directly to Ho Man Tin. On the first day of the internship, we had a welcome meeting in the morning. We were introduced to the university system. After that, we got a short tour of the campus and saw the main buildings. There were no ohter group meetings during the internship.

Meeting other foreign students

I lived with other international students. We created a WhatsApp group for communication. If someone wanted to go for dinner or play board games, they just wrote in the group and others joined. It was easy to make friends this way. It was also possible to travel together to neighboring countries and went on various trips.

Sport and culture

In the city, we visited museums, temples, and went hiking or sightseeing. There are many things to do, both cultural and fun. It was also possible to see horse races.

Food, local specialties

I tried many local dishes like dim sum, roasted duck, noodles, or bubble tea. Some food was very strange e.g. century egg, but it was a good experience. There were also many international restaurants. (pizza, kebab,..)

Other information

Possibilites to communicate with the Czech Republic

I used Wi-Fi in the dorm and mobile data outside. I used WhatsApp, Facebook, and Messenger without problems. All apps worked normally.

Recommendations for students who will go to the same place

Be open-minded and flexible. Everything may be new and different, but that’s part of the experience!

What not to forget with you

Pack light clothes – it is hot and very humid in summer. Don’t forget a power adapter, an umbrealla, suncream, and medicine.

Benefits of the internship

I learned many new lab skills and improved my English. I met people from other countries and experienced a different culture. It also helped me become more independent and confident.