5-year update: From Ghana to Hong Kong and beyond
Mavis Bediaku | Ghana | Graduate 2021 | International Banking & Finance (IBF)
A Scholarship, A Pandemic, A Beginning
When I first received my admission to Lingnan University in Hong Kong, I was genuinely happy. It was an exciting opportunity to continue my education in a completely different part of the world, to experience new cultures. Meet people and grow beyond the environment I’d known in Ghana. When I received the news of a fully funded scholarship, my excitement grew even more. It meant I could focus on studying without the constant worry of finances.
The university helped with my visa process too, and I submitted the necessary documents, feeling prepared for the journey ahead. But then COVID changed the plan. Even with admission and a visa, I couldn’t go to Hong Kong right away. I stayed in Ghana for a while, started my classes from home. It was exciting, but also unusual.
Patience, Journey, and New Perspectives
Being a student of a Hong Kong university while sitting at home in Ghana. I waited, learned patience, and finally, the borders reopened. And I made the journey. Arriving in Hong Kong felt like stepping into a place I’d imagined for so long. After quarantine, everything was new. The MTR, the food, the language, the energy of the city. I enjoyed exploring, discovering places, and learning how to feel at ease there. The sense of safety, seeing police patrols, mattered to me. And being able to move around and explore comfortably added to the experience.
Culturally, being surrounded by people from different countries gave me the chance to learn different cultures and also share Ghanaian and African culture. Adjusting to a new environment wasn’t instant, but connecting with other African students helped, and making friendships with students from other parts of the world widened my perspective. Academically, I enjoyed my program from beginning to end. The lecturers were supportive, and the program director’s care stood out. They continued to check on students even after graduation, which meant a lot. It reminded me that education is also about relationships.
Beyond Borders: Expanding Horizons in the U.S.
After graduation, the school supported graduates with the process of applying for a working visa. You could get work authorization even before securing a job, giving graduates flexibility. My journey did not end in Hong Kong. I continued my education in the United States at Illinois State University where I’ve had opportunities to study economics and grow academically, personally, and professionally.
These experiences have strengthened my interest in economics, particularly economic development and development issues. Along the way, I’ve also taken on leadership roles, serving as a graduate student senator, getting the chance to represent graduate students and contribute to activities that support the student community. I’ve also been able to attend United Nations and World Bank conferences and serve as an ambassador for international organizations, experiences that have connected me with people from different parts of the world and further developed my professional skills.
The Door That Opened My Journey
Every new opportunity has added another layer to my growth. Some have challenged me academically; others have developed my leadership skills. Some strengthen my communication and networking, and others expanded my international exposure. Looking back, the steppingstone was Hong Kong. It was a great start that opened possibilities I couldn’t have imagined when I first received that admission letter. Sometimes, we receive an opportunity without knowing where it will lead.
You see the door but not the road beyond it. For me, that door opened in Ghana, led me through Lingnan and Hong Kong, and eventually brought me to the United States and into international spaces. I’m grateful for every opportunity, every challenge, every person and lesson and friendship that’s helped me grow. And every step brings me closer to understanding what I want to do with the education and opportunities I’ve been given.
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Last updated: October 2, 2026