Hong Kong University or Rutgers University?

Applying to College
1

Hi all, not sure if I’m posting this in the right section or not, but I really need some advice regarding the campus environment and academics to choose what school i should ultimately go to. I’m really stressed because Hong Kong is asking me to respond to my offer letter on the 29th of this month.

For Hong Kong University, I’ve been accepted into the Bachelor of Social Sciences program, which I’m excited about because it sounds really really interesting. There is an opportunity within that major to go and get a Master’s in International Relations after five years of study, with three in Hong Kong and two in Geneva.

For Rutgers, which I have also been accepted into with Honors, I hope to pursue Anthropology or International Relations-- honestly I’m not too sure yet but I hope to focus on East Asian, whether it be through East Asian Studies and linguistics or East Asian politics. If I go to Rutgers, I would like to transfer to another school with a better East Asian studies program after a year (like Columbia, if I’m lucky!) or complete my studies there for four years and go to a nice graduate school.

My concerns are these, maybe some of you can answer:
How is the teaching and instructional quality of Hong Kong University?
Will either school improve or hurt my chances of attending a US graduate school?
Will having a foreign degree make finding a job/internship outside of HK or China difficult?
Which school is better for the subjects I’m looking at?

Thanks a bunch in advance!

2

I can’t weigh in on any of the programs, but I’ve visited both Rutgers (close to where I am) and HKU (older cousin did a semester abroad there).

Rutgers is set in nice college town and has a small city feel. HKU is set between a mountain and probably the most vibrant cities I’ve ever seen. Both seemed fairly diverse and “international” to me in the sense that people are very open-minded. Most are conscious about what they want their role in society to be.

Regarding East Asian politics: I’d definitely lean towards HKU. HK is undergoing major changes right now in how its gov’t runs and that’s setting off deep divides and a lot of friction. You’ll get to witness what I think will be one of the most interesting political pivots firsthand, where if you’re at Rutgers… well, you’re a few thousand miles away :slight_smile: