Hello, everyone! My name is Dahyun Yoon and I am about to start my third year of medical school.
This summer, I had an amazing experience in Hong Kong, participating in the Summer Undergraduate Research Programme (SURP) at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). I would like to share my experience with you and hopefully provide some useful insights for those considering applying for SURP next summer.
After completing another year of medical school, the summer holiday is certainly exciting, but I also wanted to spend my time productively by doing something related to my degree. I hoped to develop new skills and gain experiences that would contribute to my future academic and professional journey. So, I started looking for summer programmes and came across SURP. I was particularly intrigued by the opportunity to conduct my own research abroad for two months, so I decided to apply. Luckily, I was successful and had the opportunity to participate in the programme.
Research experience at CUHK
I personally think one of the best aspects of joining SURP at CUHK is the freedom to choose your own field of research and research topic. I have always been particularly interested in immunology, so I decided to conduct my research under a paediatric immunology team.
During the first week, I met my supervisor and the research team, who supported me throughout the programme. They provided me with access to the relevant database and gave me the freedom to choose a research topic that genuinely interested me. From the second week onwards, I visited a local hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital, to collect the samples required for my research. I also had the opportunity to shadow my supervisor and the dietitian in our team, gaining a better understanding of their day-to-day work.
As my research focused on allergy and anaphylaxis, I was able to observe procedures such as oral food challenges and skin prick testing in the paediatric ward. When I did not have any hospital placement scheduled, I spent time in the campus library working independently on my research.
By the end of the eight-week programme, I had to create a poster summarising my research and present it to other SURP students. This was actually my favourite part of the programme because it was such a rewarding experience. Students from a wide range of academic backgrounds came together to share their knowledge, exchange ideas, and network with one another. I learned so many fascinating things during the poster presentations—for example, one student from the University of Cambridge introduced me to a long and incredibly complex mathematical equation!
Overall, the poster presentation was a valuable experience that helped me develop my academic presentation and communication skills. I believe the experience will be particularly useful for my future career, especially when I start attending and presenting at academic conferences.
Cultural experiences in Hong Kong
Despite how fascinating the research experience was, my time in Hong Kong would not have been nearly as memorable without all the cultural experiences I had along the way.
Hong Kong is such a vibrant and fascinating place, with so many different sides to explore. The city has a unique energy that continues throughout both day and night. In particular, at night, the streets come alive with colourful neon lights, bustling street markets, and countless local food stalls offering delicious food and souvenirs. Also, if you are looking for one unique experience that is particularly associated with Hong Kong, I would highly recommend going to watch horse race in place called ‘Happy Valley Racecourse’, which is a popular part of local culture. It is also free for visitors with a passport, so definitely don’t miss the opportunity if you are there!
If you are not a big fan of busy urban areas, Hong Kong also has plenty of beautiful natural scenery to explore. I went hiking along the Dragon’s Back, one of Hong Kong’s most famous hiking trails, which offers incredible views of the surrounding landscape and coastline. It was definitely one of my favourite experiences in Hong Kong. After hiking for three hours under the scorching sun, jumping into the cool ocean for a swim and watching the sunset by the beach was absolutely a heavenly experience which you should try out.
Overall, I had a wonderful experience as a SURP student in Hong Kong, and it is certainly an experience I will never forget. Throughout the programme, I gained valuable academic and research skills, made friends from all around the world, and experienced a rich and diverse culture.
For these reasons, I would highly recommend SURP to anyone considering applying. If you are looking for a meaningful and memorable way to spend your summer, I would definitely encourage you to apply without hesitation. I am sure you will come away with unforgettable memories, valuable experiences, and a summer that you will remember throughout your university life!