BSocSc (Hons) in Government and International Affairs

CHAN Mang-cheong, Raymond (Class of 2024)

Exchange Experience Sharing

Host Institution: Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Exchange Period:  Term 2, 2022-23. 

"During my time at Lingnan, I had the privilege of studying at one of the most reputable universities in the Netherlands. This experience was truly transformative, allowing me to immerse myself in a different academic culture and broaden my horizons.

One of the highlights of my time abroad was the opportunity to travel across Europe. I visited historical sites in countries like Poland, Germany, and the United Kingdom, which added a deeper dimension to my studies. These travels helped me connect what I learned in the classroom to real-world contexts, making my education more impactful. Additionally, I was fortunate to receive a scholarship and a nomination from a department professor, both of which made this journey possible. These opportunities eased the financial burden and allowed me to fully focus on my studies and exploration. Beyond the invaluable experience of the exchange program, I am also grateful for the education I received at Lingnan. The professors in the Department of Government and International Affairs were not only nice but also highly knowledgeable. They were always open to questions and encouraged discussion. When I considered pursuing higher academic goals, the professors were willing to provide me with advice and serve as references for my MPhil application. I could not be more grateful for all the help and guidance from the faculty members over these four years.

All in all, I had a great time studying at Lingnan, and I highly encourage other students to study here. Your experience at Lingnan will be truly invaluable and unforgettable."

Ilarina ZHOU (Class of 2023)

"It feels like just yesterday I stepped through the main gates of Lingnan University, embarking on a journey that would shape my future in incredible ways.

The Social Sciences Programme at Lingnan University was more than just an academic pursuit; it was a transformative experience. The professors were incredibly supportive, offering timely help on everything from intellectual guidance to career planning. Their encouragement and advice gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and seize opportunities for personal growth. I am forever grateful to them for their unwavering support and dedication.

With a strong foundation in politics from Lingnan, I pursued a master's degree in journalism. This background proved invaluable as I excelled in my journalism studies, particularly in covering political news. My time at Phoenix TV as a news scriptwriter was a testament to this, where I had the privilege of reporting on significant political events and issues, leveraging the knowledge and skills I had acquired at Lingnan University."

CHIU Chi-cheong, Charlie (Class of 2022)

MPhil Student in Government and International Affairs Programme at Lingnan University (since September 2022) (Supervisors: Prof. Zhang Baohui and Prof. Yang Kai)

"Studying government and international affairs certainly brings out the best in me. Lingnan’s program provides a wide range of topics to study, thereby broadening my horizons. It allows me to see a variety of domestic and international issues through the lens of social science. The attempt to comprehend the subject is both challenging and absorbing. The training in logical and scientific analysis of government affairs equipped me with a toolkit that not only helps with my academic pursuits but also with my daily life puzzles.   

Support from the department is also abundant. Professors are friendly and supportive, for whom questions concerning academic enigmas and personal growth are more than welcome. This learning environment, for me, is the best for intellectual thriving."

PONG Cheuk-ling, Cheri (Class of 2019)

“Completing the 4-Year Social Sciences Programme at Lingnan is a beatific and enthralling experience in my life. Professors are generous enough to offer timely help on issues, ranging from intellectual guidance to future career planning. With their advice and encouragement, I become more confident to step out of my comfort zone and seize opportunities for my personal growth. Blessed enough to receive numerous scholarships and grants, I could fund my term-long exchange in London and work as a financial news editor intern at Yicai (第一财经) in Shanghai. Joining the Civic Engagement Programme at Lingnan, I got the taste of teaching as a peer-mentor at a community service centre in Tuen Mun. These exposures capacitate me to develop careers as a researching consultant and analyst at multinational corporations before further studies.”

GAO Yuejia (Class of 2017)

Video Journalist, Phoenix TV (鳳凰衛視)

Yuejia has accompanied the State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅) to multiple ministerial meetings and securing exclusive interviews on key topics such as China-US relations, Taiwan-Lithuania relations, and China-ASEAN relations. She has conducted three exclusive interviews with the former Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR, Leung Chun-ying (梁振英), and a member of the Hong Kong Basic Law drafting committee, Lian Xisheng (廉希聖). She was invited by the Uzbekistan government as an international observer for presidential election in 2023, and was the first Chinese-language journalist ever to interview British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, 100 days after the Labour Party's new government took office in 2024. Her reports have been syndicated by international outlets such as BBC and Associated Press.

"Lingnan Campus is a tiny, elegant spot forever in my memories. Like a paradise, like utopia. Though I suffered a lot studying courses in Economics. I still remember those sleepless sorrowful nights filled with desperation and helplessness. They were quite useful, but super hard for me. The long-lasting pain ceased to exist when I graduated. But I have to admit that one should learn better in Economics to be a better political science student. 

When I was studying here, pursing my bachelor’s degree, the world outside was in big chaos. Divisions, fights, hatred, strife, all together ruined the peace of HK society. It was lucky, that I could observed what was going on through the window well at the same time protected by walls and roof. Students can enjoy the best education of political science here, equipped with all the great thoughts and knowledge from greatest philosophers and political scientists ever in history. Most importantly, we learned the core spirit: Do you want the world to be better lead, better governed, and better served? 

Politics is the art of the possible. The saying enlightens me thousands of times in my life. We live through a period of profound change; we see insecurity, absolutism, spreading rancour, extremists demeaning others’ views everywhere. It’s the time to show the possibilities of politics, to make people seek the common ground and concern about what really matters. We can work hard and make it possible; Let’s begin from here."