Anyone had experience of studying in Hong Kong?

[Yourownpersonaljesus]

Either yourself or your DD/DS. My DD is off to the University of Hong Kong in January for a semester. She said yesterday that I need to send a letter of declaration as a financial supporter as part of her visa application. Along with the letter I need to provide a copy of my passport (don't have one as I haven't been on holiday for 10 years) and also proof that I can support her financially (for fees and accomodation - even though her student loans will cover this).I've been googling and I'm not sure if this is correct. She will be 21 by the time she goes so surely she will be classed as an adult. Does anyone actually have personal experience of studying in Hong Kong? I will call the University next week but it's really worrying me so was wondering if anyone could help before then. Her university haven't really given her that much information - or she hasn't asked!

OP, evidence of financial support and a declaration from a parent/guardian is likely to be needed as part of the student visa application process. Check out the website:

www.hotcoursesabroad.com/study-in-hongkong/visa-guides/applying-for-a-hong-kong-student-visa/

Thanks @bevelino. I understand that she needs a sponsor to get a visa but have read (on DD's uni website I think) that the host uni can be the sponsor. I'm wondering why at the age of 21 her parent would need to be involved. I just about get by each month so wouldn't be able to help that much. What would happen if the student was estranged from their parent/parents or they had no living parent?

Just lifted this from the website you kindly linked to:

If you are being financially sponsored by a parent or third party, they will need to sign the final section of the form to confirm you’ll have enough money to support yourself whilst you study.

It states IF you are being financially sponsored by a parent.

Just wanted to add that of course I will help her as much as I can but if they look at my finances her visa application might not be accepted. And if her loans will cover her accommodation and fees then I don't see that it's necessary.

@Yourown my dd is studying abroad at the moment and I was asked to sign a declaration and submit bank statements because her maintenance loan (minimum level) was not enough to cover rent and spending money.

I know that some students on dds course were able to use their maintenance loan statement to evidence financial support.

When processing visa applications the Embassy’s don’t take account of age and their priority is ensuring that a student can show they have sufficient funds to support themselves while studying abroad.

Thank you @bevelino. Her university have told her that the accommodation in Hong Kong is cheaper than at her own university and her maintenance loan almost covers that (it did last year but the cost of her accommodation has increased) so hopefully she can use her loan statement. She is saving from her part time job so with that money and a small amount from me she should have enough to live on. Her university have said that the cost of living there is less than here (UK). Where is you DD studying? Is she enjoying it?

Your DD - not you DD!

My dd is in Chile and enjoying it. That said, it has been tough at times as she has been homesick.

The university she is studying at are much stricter in terms of attendance; and it is very competitive because exams are taken every two weeks and grades are emailed to the whole class so that students can see where they rank. Dd is doing nicely, but can’t quite get her head round why the university do that.

That sounds tough - though maybe it does make them work harder. I think my DD will get homesick. She struggled when she first started her degree but loves it now. She's just started her second year. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

That’s interesting bevelino. We used to have “form orders” at school where we were ranked 4 times a term (all marks added up and divided by the number of subjects) and the list was posted up in each form’s home classroom for everyone to see. This was a grammar school. Yes, it sucks. Yes, it’s dreadfully old fashioned, but that’s Chile! It’s supposed to be a kick up the backside to those near the bottom of the ranking. Rarely works because someone always has to be bottom and those that are bottom know they will be so they just accept that situation.

Glad she’s ok. You must be going out fairly soon?

Your daughter may find that there are additional costs eg health insurance (essential) and flights to and from Hong Kong. Will she be able to afford those?

Also has her university here done a risk assessment recently as there is a lot of trouble in Hong Kong at the moment?

Thanks for replying @NewIdeasToday. Yes I realise we have to pay for those things. I just wasn't expecting to have to disclose my financial situation or provide a copy of my passport. None of this was mentioned when she applied, though I guess we should've looked into it more. It's such a great opportunity - I would hate for her to miss out on it because of me. She went to see someone at the study abroad department a few days ago and they said it's still going ahead. It is worrying though.

Hello @BubblesBuddy, we will indeed be seeing dd shortly, after she has taken her final exams next month.

OP: I would keep an eye on Foreign Office advice on travel to HK. If the advice changes, your DD should speak to the study abroad team at the uk university. Studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity. My DD rated it as a major achievement. Students really are independent and self sufficient when they do this and employers value it.

I would currently not send my child to HK, there is wide civil unrest with police behaving really badly and protestors turning up dead and being sexually assaulted by the police.

The police recently carried out a raid on the MTR and tear gassed the passengers.

My old friend lives there (she is from HK) and it’s pretty scary right now, altho being hushed up in the media.

I also second what frazzle above says. I have lots of family in hk. It really isnt a place to go at the moment if your young. I know it sounds terrible. But police are discriminating against the young and seem to have impunity to some despicable behaviour and brutality. Although there has been alot of riots too by the protesters which have become violent because peaceful protest has got them no where. Most people have sympathy and see it that the young are becoming increasingly desperate and frustrated with the retard government, who are offering them no solutions or proper dialogue for the 5 demands. Aswell as disregard to the sino british declaration promised to them till 2047. I would really hold off your dd going until there is more stability. I have been following the situation there daily. In my own opinion with,how things are, it will only get worse.

The FO has very clear advice and says what the possible difficulties are. However, there is no advice not to travel. There is clear advice on how to behave once there! Your Dd would need to be sensible and ensure she does not go onany demonstrations. There is no evidence that foreign students are at risk.

Its not getting media coverage at all.

Expats have been killed and beaten, the MTR incident all the passengers were tear gassed and many beaten, those who didn’t manage to run.

It’s a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. The police are indiscriminate and they’re hiring thugs and gang members to beat up people.

It’s not just students protesting getting beaten up/murdered/sexually assaulted by police.

I wouldn’t go to HK right now. My friend wants to leave as the situation is steadily escalating. It’s pretty awful.

Dd has just arrived back from living in China for 2 years - her boyfriend's db lives in Hong Kong and he says the situation is still very dangerous at the moment and is actually getting worse , with riots daily and teargas attacks by the police/ government officials
The press are not able to report what is truly going on....I'd definitely defer as police are acting indiscriminately

Thanks everyone for your replies. It's interesting, though not surprising, that the press are not reporting the whole story. Looks like we will need to rethink.

The experience your dd will have at this current climate in hk, won't be normal and enjoyable experience with majority of students in fear and angry. It's a shame hk is like this at the moment. I use to live there and it is an amazing place to live. We were planning to retire there in 3 years time. Not now.
Today I heard the news that there has been over 150+ suicide incidents in the last 3 months which is statisically more than entire 10years put together. Obviously people are not convinced and believe there is a cover up by government and police. Bodies have been found floating in the sea more frequently and found at bottom of buildings with injuries not consistent with suicide from drowning or leaping from buildings.
I have found that Hong kong students are some of the most amazing resilient and inspirational of this generation. Despite police brutality and a uncertain future. They are standing firm, united and risking their lives for others, as to them there is now nothing to lose. It is now or never, in trying to stop hk being another oppressed state like Xinjiang province in China. Where the Ulghurs live in a big brother state like Orwell's book 1984 . Sorry that some of us on here are giving you a very grim picture of hk on especially things you may not have heard. Really didn't want to put your dd off but wanted you to hear some of the truths on what is really going on over there.

Thank you @BigBread1234. I appreciate everyone's replies. I knew things were bad from what I've seen on the news but hadn't realised that things are being covered up or under reported.

I live in mainland China and some of the staff that work for dh live in HK. I agree with previous posters that the situation is not being accurately reported.

I have a HK team with work and media is definitely adjusted...
It’s not safe after 8pm on MTR- In a country which has always been so free v UK that’s a huge change and shame
However- the FO advice is still that it’s a lower risk than being in London...
Avoid Starbucks, wearing black do t cover face and don’t film anything

I live in Hong Kong and I generally support the protests but I think some of the reporting is exaggerated. As for 'expats have been killed and beaten', this is a misleading claim. Nobody has been killed. Many have been injured, but these are protesters or others right on the front lines. There are some mysterious deaths going on, which are extremely important to investigate (and unlikely will be), but they're not confirmed as murders, so saying that people, let alone expats specifically are being killed, is misleading.

It is a more chaotic and unpredictable time but if you aren't out there protesting then you aren't really in danger.

I'm not saying this to downplay the very important era that HK is in right now, because it's huge. However, people are living their normal lives and working and studying as usual. All things considered, there is very little bloodshed and its limited to the active protesters. It is easy to avoid protest areas.

If I were you, I would be hesitant to send her here too, as a Mum. I just wanted to give a perspective from the local area. The current risk of her coming to harm, unless she gets into the protests, is extremely minimal.