"After graduating from New Zealand, I chose Hong Kong as my next step and enrolled in the Master of Arts in China Development Studies at the University of Hong Kong. This program offered me a different perspective on understanding modern China’s development through its economic transformation, cultural continuity, and social structure.

Compared to my previous studies, it provided a deeper and more localized understanding of China’s evolving role in the global context. I particularly valued the program’s combination of theory and real-world analysis, which allowed me to explore critical issues such as regional inequality, urbanization, and policymaking.

Studying in Hong Kong was a unique advantage. Its geographical proximity to mainland China and its exposure to diverse academic perspectives greatly enriched my understanding of China’s development trajectory.

Overall, this program not only expanded my academic vision but also shaped my long-term interest in development studies and cross-cultural research. It also inspired me to pursue further academic work in regional research with a more focused perspective."

"The year studying in the MAChDS programme has been incredibly fulfilling. Through its interdisciplinary curriculum, I was immersed in geography, sociology, and economics, which significantly broadened my horizon. I particularly deepened my understanding of China’s global role and political dynamics, enabling me to explore societal issues from a more comprehensive perspective. Beyond theoretical learning, practical courses, such as ArcGIS training, equipped me with valuable technical tools. Moreover, the varied forms of assignments fostered close collaboration with talented classmates from diverse backgrounds, through which I gained both fresh insight and precious friendship. With meaningful connections to the professors and fellows, this journey has been immensely rewarding, and I'm deeply grateful for the professional and personal growth it has brought."

"As a mature student with extensive experience in logistics and the import-export industry, I frequently collaborated with suppliers and colleagues in China. Over the years, this has increased my curiosity about the country’s remarkable development during my lifetime, leading me to enrol on the MA in China Development Studies at HKU. The programme greatly expanded my knowledge of the recent political and economic development that has led to China’s overall success as a nation. The programme has a diverse range of electives that covers all aspects of the subject area as well as a field trip to see this development in practise. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed being a student at HKU and having the opportunity to live in Hong Kong."

"My experience studying at MAChDS has truly benefited me greatly. The program offers a diverse curriculum covering economics, culture, geography, history, and politics, providing a well-rounded understanding of China through engaging lectures and extensive reading materials. In addition to gaining knowledge, I have also experienced comprehensive personal development through many group collaborations and individual assignments, as well as numerous opportunities to showcase my abilities.

This program allows you to enhance your teamwork skills and build confidence. Moreover, you will form many friendships by connecting with classmates from different backgrounds during various activities. These classmates may come from different majors, provinces, regions, or even countries, enriching your personality through communication and cultural exchange.

In short, I have gained so much in all aspects this year, making my studies and life at the University of Hong Kong colorful and memorable. I believe this program will bring you a truly meaningful year as well."

"The MAChDS program provides a multidisciplinary perspective that combines political science, economics, and geography to examine the profound transformations taking place in China and the world. It offered me a solid theoretical foundation for understanding regional development, sociocultural change, and global collaboration, while cultivating critical thinking that goes beyond binary judgments. Meanwhile, it inspired my passion for exploring a diverse world which is the driving force behind both academic and professional pursuits. Additionally, the supportive programme guidance and collaborative teamwork with diverse classmates together fostered not only my academic growth but also meaningful and lasting personal connections!"

"With a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences, I chose MAChDS as I realized that addressing environmental issues requires more than just technological and engineering solutions. They are more often limited by negative externalities. I wish to expand my understanding of social sciences to better grasp these complex challenges, and this program has exceeded my expectations. The professors deliver engaging lectures that provide valuable insights into topics like economics and land policy. At the same time, I’ve had the opportunity to raise environmental concerns and discuss the issues through presentations and essays in courses such as Sustainability Transitions, Land and Housing, Research Methods, GIS, and Green Infrastructure. Interacting with talented students from diverse backgrounds has also pushed me outside of my comfort zone and offered new experiences. The multidisciplinary nature of the program is truly exciting, and I believe students from all fields can find something valuable to take away from it."

"I chose the MAChDS program because its syllabus truly captivated me. It offered a unique blend of studies on China’s economics, politics, globalization, and even sustainable development, which is a combination not often found in other programs.

China, as an enormous and powerful global entity, coupled with my legal background, has always led me to believe that understanding China's Geo-economics and Geo-politics is crucial for everyone, especially in this ever-changing era. Analyzing China from different perspectives felt like unraveling a very complex puzzle, it was quite challenging but also very fascinating. Therefore, this program also felt like a “China-focused MBA” that particularly concentrates on China's current landscape.

Since this program is truly diverse, it could be overwhelming sometimes when you immerse yourself and dive into those different features. But this whole journey is ultimately worthwhile. Even with my varied work experiences, this journey still greatly broadened my horizons and inspired me beyond my expectations!

“ To know China is to know the world. If you're curious about China, come and shine with the MAChDS!＂
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"My experience in the MAChDS program at the University of Hong Kong has been both challenging and rewarding. The curriculum is impressively broad, covering diverse areas such as economics, politics, and geography, which gave me a well-rounded understanding of contemporary China. The lecturers and staff are incredibly supportive, patient, and approachable. Despite I had no background in social sciences, their guidance made it possible for me to graduate successfully with effort. The program not only teaches students theoretical knowledge, but also focuses on students' practical experience, which provides great help for graduates' future employment. Another remarkable aspect is the diversity of both the lecturers and fellow students. Coming from various academic and cultural backgrounds, they bring a wide range of perspectives to the program. It helped me a lot in developing a more nuanced view of China’s development, as I was constantly exposed to different viewpoints and approaches. The skills and insights I gained from this program will undoubtedly be valuable assets in my future career."

"Witnessing China’s dramatic social and economic transformation, I realized that understanding China is key to understanding the world. It not only shapes the global landscape but also impacts each of us. The MAChDS program offers us a comprehensive understanding of China’s global-local interactions and regional variations, which is also a golden opportunity to have a deeper understanding of various areas from urban development to international trade. This program is an irreplaceable platform for us to explore the dynamic landscape of China with a broad spectrum of assignments such as debating and drafting a government proposal, communicating and collaborating with people of different nationalities, delving into some interesting topics by field trip in different countries and regions, and ultimately preparing for the field where we can make a significant impact in the future. It has truly been a transformative experience for us, and I believe it can be the same for you."

"We understand there is an ongoing transformation in China's economy and international relations. The curriculum of MAChDS programme focuses primarily on geopolitics and geoeconomics. It gives me a comprehensive and systematic understanding about the country in terms of its historical context and the challenges we are facing right now. Throughout this valuable one-year studying experience, I truly enjoyed the collaborative interactions and friendships with my excellent teammates, who bring with diverse work experiences and inspirations. If you approach the programme simply to complete assignments and credits, you may miss out on this dynamic progress. However, by fully immersing yourself in this team-based coursework, you will undoubtedly gain exceptional insights and improvements over the course of the academic year."

"After having worked for a number of years, I found the MAChDS programme a thoroughly enjoyable and intellectually stimulating experience as a part-time mature student. The programme was well structured with a range of elective courses depending on student interests. I personally particularly appreciated the opportunity to join the first fieldtrip since Covid, as well as fairly independently undertake primary research to complete a dissertation, using methods and knowledge obtained over the programme. The overall experience of being a student again was important to me, including meeting interesting fellow classmates and academic staff over this time at HKU."

"My year in the MAChDS program was filled with great moments and gains. This program broadened my horizons and inspired me to explore more in the social science area. There is a wide variety of choices in the interdisciplinary curriculum of geography, economics, and politics. The best thing, though, is that I have the opportunity to study from an admirable and excellent teaching team, which aids in my understanding of contemporary China and prevalent social issues. The theories and frameworks I learned in courses can be applied to the critical analysis of phenomena in modern society. Moreover, I met students from diverse backgrounds in this program. The variety of educational experiences and cultural mindsets makes it possible for our thoughts to collide and generate unexpected insights. Discussions in class were quite useful and thought-provoking. Keep an open mind, and you will enjoy an incredible journey here."