Two Sisters Begin Their HKBU Journey
Hong Kong Baptist University has become a new academic home for two sisters from the Dominican Republic, who say the university’s approach to education and the support they have received from fellow students have helped them settle into life in Hong Kong.
Marcelle, now a third year Social Work student, arrived at HKBU after being impressed by the university’s admissions approach and its attention to students as individuals. Her experience later influenced her younger sister Diana, who followed her to Hong Kong and is now in her first year of the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Sciences programme.
The sisters are among more than 2,200 non local students at HKBU, reflecting the university’s growing international student population as Hong Kong continues efforts to attract students from overseas through the government’s “Study in Hong Kong” initiative.
Admissions Experience Influenced Marcelle
For Marcelle, the admissions process was an important part of the decision to study at HKBU. Rather than seeing applicants only through academic results, she was impressed by what she described as the university’s interest in students as individuals and its recognition of their personal strengths.
That experience gave her a positive first impression of the university before she began her studies. It also became part of the reason her younger sister eventually considered Hong Kong as a destination for higher education.
Marcelle’s decision to study Social Work has also placed her in a field focused on people, communities and social issues. Her academic experience has given her opportunities to study questions connected with social development and community engagement.
Diana Follows Her Sister to Hong Kong
Diana’s decision to study at HKBU was influenced directly by Marcelle’s experience.
After seeing her sister settle into university life in Hong Kong, Diana decided to follow the same path. She is now a first year student in the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Sciences programme.
The sisters are therefore experiencing university life at different stages while sharing the same city and institution. Marcelle is progressing through her Social Work degree, while Diana is beginning her own academic journey.
Their experience shows how one family member’s overseas education can influence another student’s decision to study abroad.
Support From Students Helps Them Settle In
Moving from the Dominican Republic to Hong Kong has required the sisters to adjust to a different culture, education system and daily environment.
Both said the warmth and support they received from fellow students helped them become part of the campus community. For students arriving from overseas, those informal connections can make a significant difference during the early stages of university life.
Friendships with classmates can help international students become familiar with university routines, understand local customs and feel more comfortable participating in campus activities.
For Marcelle and Diana, the support they received from other students has contributed to their sense of belonging at HKBU.
Hong Kong Impresses the Sisters
The sisters have also praised aspects of life outside the university.
They said Hong Kong’s public transportation system impressed them, particularly its efficiency and accessibility. They also spoke positively about the city’s government services.
For students arriving from overseas, efficient transport can make the transition to a new city easier. Hong Kong’s extensive network allows students to travel between the university, residential areas and different parts of the city without relying on private transport.
The sisters’ positive experience with public services has also contributed to their broader impression of Hong Kong as a place to live and study.
First Mid Autumn Festival in Hong Kong
The sisters are preparing to celebrate their first Mid Autumn Festival in Hong Kong, giving them an opportunity to experience one of the city’s major traditional celebrations.
The festival is widely observed across Hong Kong and is associated with family gatherings, mooncakes and lanterns. For international students, participating in local celebrations can provide another way to learn about the culture of their new home.
For Marcelle and Diana, the occasion will be part of their continuing adjustment to life in the city.
Plans to Stay After Graduation
Their plans for the future extend beyond their university studies.
Both sisters have said they hope to remain in Hong Kong after graduation. Their decision reflects the extent to which their experience as international students has shaped their view of the city.
Rather than treating Hong Kong only as a temporary destination for higher education, they are considering building their future there after completing their degrees.
Their plans also show how universities can become a starting point for longer term connections between international students and the cities where they study.
HKBU Expands Its International Student Community
The sisters are part of a wider group of non local students studying at HKBU. The university has welcomed more than 2,200 non local students as Hong Kong continues to promote itself as an international education hub.
The government’s “Study in Hong Kong” initiative aims to attract students from different parts of the world and strengthen the city’s position as a destination for higher education.
For international students, the experience involves more than academic study. Their impressions are also shaped by accommodation, transport, friendships, public services and opportunities to participate in local life.
The experience of Marcelle and Diana illustrates how these factors can influence whether students see Hong Kong as simply a place to earn a degree or somewhere they may eventually choose to build their careers.
A Shared Academic Future
Marcelle and Diana arrived in Hong Kong from the Dominican Republic with separate academic goals, but their experiences have become closely connected.
Marcelle’s positive experience at HKBU encouraged Diana to make the same move. Their transition has been supported by fellow students, while the city’s transportation network and public services have helped them adjust to everyday life.
Now, as they prepare to celebrate their first Mid Autumn Festival in Hong Kong, both are looking beyond their university years and considering remaining in the city after graduation.
Could more international students be encouraged to build long term careers in Hong Kong through experiences like those of the Dominican sisters?