Marta Gramatyka

Can you tell us a little about yourself? Why did you choose to study in the CCS?

I'm from Poland originally, but I have studied in different countries. I chose to pursue Chinese studies after I visited China for the first time. My friends there showed me around and I really liked the culture, food, and, I would say, the general feeling. I decided I wanted to discover a little bit more about this country because I never really had a chance to do so, even though for a few years I had been studying Chinese just for fun. Actually, one of my friends recommended that I study at CUHK. Hong Kong is a great city, and the university is very good, so that's why I chose this program at CUHK.

You mentioned that you went to China with your friends. Was this the first time you came to Hong Kong?

During the tour I visited Hong Kong as well. I really liked it, and I visited Chinese University as well.

So you had been here before you applied?

Yeah, I wanted to check it out and see what it was like. In general, the education system here is quite different from the one in Europe, so I wanted to see if it suited me.

What was your first impression of Hong Kong and CUHK?

I really liked the general feeling, and how much was happening. Even though I wasn't here long during the tour, I saw a lot of different things – a lot of different cultures. It was kind of a mix of everything that I'd seen elsewhere, both in China and in Europe, as well as in different countries. I really liked that. When it comes to CUHK, my first impression was that it's really modern. I really liked it as well.

What are your opinions on the current protests in HK? Have you participated in any of them? Why or why not?

I haven't participated in any protests. I don't really know why. I guess I'm a little bit scared of these events. But I saw quite a few protests when I was going to shopping malls where people were protesting. When I first came to Hong Kong in August for orientation and the protests were happening, I was scared. But I think after a while I got used to it. And, of course, since I support the cause, it was easier to accept what is happening.

The Centre for China Studies has organized different talks and screenings to help students understand the history and development of the current protests. Have you joined any of the activities? If yes, which one you think is the most remarkable? Why?

Unfortunately not. I wanted to but I had classes during this time. I think it was either a class or some kind of different event. But I talked with some of my friends to get to know their opinions and learn a little bit more about the story behind the protests.

Has that been helpful for you? Talking with other people?

Yes, even though there are so many different opinions. When I talk with my international friends, Hong Kong friends and mainland Chinese friends, they all have different opinions. So it's quite hard to fully understand the protests, especially since foreign media are not very reliable when it comes to reporting on the protests. They don't really know many facts. I guess talking to different people gave me a fuller view of the whole thing.

Now that we're at the end of the term, do you think you have sufficient support from your teachers, TAs, and cohorts when you encountered any problems?

Yes. Throughout the whole term, and also before the term started during orientation, I really received a lot of support from different people. I felt that whenever there is something I don't know, or there is something I need help with, I can go to my professors, or basically anyone, and they will try to help me the best they can. So, yes, I think so.

How's school life been so far?

Really good. I'm really satisfied. Also, I met a lot of cool people – in the Chinese studies program, but also in my college, and during different classes. I really like it so far, and I hope it will be like that in the second term as well.

Chen Yirun

Can you tell us a little about yourself? Why did you choose to study in the CCS?

My name is Yirun Chen, and I graduated from a high school in Nanjing. It is an interesting story why I chose CCS. I joined an exchange program organized by my high school, and I was selected as one of the Chinese host families to host students for foreign countries. During conversations with those foreigners, I was asked about Chinese culture and the history and politics of China. At that time, I was a little ashamed because I found that, even as a Chinese person, there were still many facts I didn't know about my own country. So, I did some research and read some books and documents related to my country's history. During this time, I became more and more interested in China, and East Asia in general. I wanted to systematically study these topics. That's the reason I chose CCS.

What was your first impression of Hong Kong and CUHK?

My first impression of CU was its spacious and beautiful campus. I think the food is delicious, and the professors are approachable. Hong Kong is a kind of mixture of Eastern and Western elements. It's a strategic place that deserves more hope, so I hope Hong Kong can have a better future.

What are your opinions on the current protests in HK? Have you participated in any of them? Why or why not?

I don't want to express my personal opinion, because I cannot figure out this complicated situation yet. Professor David Faure said that as scholars of China we make our contributions to a better understanding of a world that embodies all these problems. So, even if today I cannot figure out the situation, as a student majoring in Chinese studies, I will continue to seek the truth.

Now that we're at the end of the term, do you think you have sufficient support from your teachers, TAs, and cohorts when you encountered any problems?

Of course. I think that, compared to other departments, our department is more like a kind of family. When the school announced the shortening of the semester, I was bombarded with many messages from my relatives concerning my safety and asking whether I should take a gap year to do an internship. At that time, I was very confused and didn't know what I should do. So, I sent two emails to my academic advisor, Professor Ling Minhua and a professor I like, Professor Gao Yunwen, and asked them whether I should take a gap year and do an internship. They gave me some good suggestions that helped to calm me down.

How's school life been so far?

For me and my studies, it's been pretty good. I haven't met many big problems, and everything has gone well.