China Hong Kong Polytechnic University Exchange
Spring 2025

Step 1 – The following supporting documents should be uploaded on the Hong Kong PolyU online application portal:

1. Copy of passport with validity of 6 months after the completion of the exchange. If the applicant has the right of abode or right to land in Hong Kong, a copy of Hong Kong I.D. Card is sufficient.
2. Proof of financial support which should be a bank document with evidence of HKD30,000 or more in holding per semester. The document has to be in English and contains:
   •  the name of the bank
   • the name of the account holder
   • a balance equivalent to the minimum amount required
   • date of the bank document
   • If the applicant is not the account holder, the account holder must write a declaration with personal signature that s/he will financially support the applicant
3. Copy of official BU transcript with grading scale
4. Photocopy of household registration in Taiwan and Taiwan identity card (for Taiwan students only)

Step 2 – Students must submit hard copies of the following visa application materials to Hong Kong PolyU  by October 30. 

1. Completed ID995A visa application form, signed on pages 1-4, and affix a photo p. 2 top right corner
2. Two passport-sized photos for visa application and student ID. The photo must be a close up of head and shoulders, on a white background (no larger than 55mm x 45mm and not smaller than 50mm x 40mm) printed on proper photo paper. Students can have passport photos taken at CVS.

Please Note: This information has been prepared by Boston University Study Abroad based on the most recent information provided by the relevant immigration agency (E.G. consulate, embassy, etc.). It is each student’s responsibility to compile and apply for their visa based on their specific citizenship. Visas are granted by foreign governments only, Boston University does not play a role in visa issuance, nor can we influence immigration policy. While we do our best to keep instructions as up-to-date as possible, visa requirements are subject to change without our knowledge. Ultimately obtaining a visa in a timely manner, and related costs incurred, are a student’s responsibility. Failure to acquire a visa will preclude participation in the program.

There will be a pre-departure meeting held on the BU campus and/or online. The time and location will be e-mailed to you. The meeting is mandatory, but if you are not able to attend, a recording of the meeting is posted below.

Please also note that this meeting is intended for participants of the program only. Due to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), parents/guardians are not permitted to attend this session.  In the event that any parents do come to the meeting, we will kindly ask them to exit the room regardless of how far they may have traveled to get to the meeting.  Therefore, please plan accordingly.  We do, however, encourage you to share relevant information about the program with your parents, as we understand that they may be curious about what to expect with your experience abroad.

Course Approvals

You should meet with your BU academic advisor soon to discuss the classes you plan to take abroad and how they will count towards your BU degree requirements. The classes you take on exchange will earn BU credit and will appear on your transcript just like regular BU classes, including letter grades that are factored into your overall GPA. It is important to make sure that the classes you take abroad will count towards your degree progress at BU. Only your academic advisor can help you to determine this.

Credits and Grades

Each class at PolyU is worth 3 credits and each class will be worth 3 credits on your BU transcript. You should discuss any questions about course approvals and equivalencies with your BU academic advisor.

You must take a minimum of 12 credits and no more than 18 credits per semester at PolyU. Exchange students take 4 to 6 classes per semester. The grades you earn at PolyU will be reported to BU and will be represented on your BU transcript and factored into your BU GPA.

You will submit your course selections to PolyU’s International Affairs Office after your application has been received; they will send you detailed instructions for this by email. The International Affairs Office will then work with the academic department(s) to finalize your registration. From this list, PolyU will register you for a full-time course load of 12-18 credits (4-6 classes). While every effort is made to register you according to your preferences, you are not guaranteed admission into any particular class at PolyU, which is why you take advantage of the opportunity to identify several backup options when submitting your preferences.

In preparation for registration, you should do the following:

1. Prepare your list of up to 8 class preferences. You can find the lists of available classes on this page, by clicking the Semester 2 PDF button next to the name of the School; the School of Hotel and Tourism Management is at the bottom of the page. Many syllabi are also available here.
2. Meet with your academic advisor to have your classes pre-approved for specific BU degree requirements.

Please remember that at least half of your courses must be from the School of Hotel and Tourism Management. You must abide by the pre-requisites listed for each course. If the schedule for next semester is not yet available, you can use the current schedule as a general guide.

Your course registrations will be finalized one week before the start of the semester at PolyU and you will receive an email with your official schedule.

Transcripts

After the end of each semester, PolyU will send a copy of your official transcript to BU Study Abroad. Transcripts are usually sent 1-2 months after the end of the semester. In most cases, your BU transcript will be updated about 3 weeks after your official transcript has arrived from abroad.

Arrival Information

There is no group flight for this program, so each student will book his or her own travel to and from Hong Kong. All students are required to submit a copy of their flight itinerary to the Program Manager for our records. Keep in mind that late arrivals and early departures are not permitted. Use this website to plan for your arrival at PolyU. Before traveling, make sure you know the address of your residence and how you plan to reach it, based on the information at the webpage above. Students may be assigned a PolyU student buddy, who may be able to meet you at the airport when you arrive and help you get to your residence. You’ll learn about your buddy via email from PolyU before your departure.

Arrival date: January 8 is the first day of hall check-in (date subject to change) before orientation and the first day of class. Please review your PolyU admission letter carefully for any changes to arrival and orientation dates.

Return date: Final exams at PolyU last until May 13. Please book your return flight for May 14 or later, so that you can be sure you will be present for all of your final exams.

Be mindful of housing move-in times when arranging your arrival. PolyU Halls of Residence have official move-in dates and times, which will be detailed in your admission email from PolyU. It is possible to move in early, but you will be charged a fee of approx. $40 per day. Generally, you should plan to move into your hall between 10am and 7pm on the official move-in days. If you plan to arrive after hours, you must alert your Housing Management Office in advance.

Orientation

You should arrive on January 8 or 9 (date subject to change), and will participate in an orientation at PolyU on January 10 (dates subject to change). This orientation is mandatory for new exchange students.

On-Campus Housing

All exchange students are guaranteed a place at PolyU’s Student Halls of Residence. Please submit your hall application online on or before the deadline given in your Admission Letter. You can review the PolyU residence halls website to familiarize yourself with the accommodations. Most students live in a double room with one roommate. Single rooms are not available.

Questions about your housing at PolyU should be directed to the International Affairs Office.

Dining

PolyU does not provide student meal plans, so you will pay for your meals individually. There are many dining options on campus and in the residence halls, and you can also try any number of restaurants in the city.

Payments

You will pay your housing fees directly to PolyU. You will receive information on the cost, payment procedures, and payment deadlines when you check in to your accommodation.

International Health Insurance and Evacuation Coverage

All students participating in a BU Study Abroad program will be automatically enrolled in the BU Chubb International Travel plan which includes comprehensive health and evacuation insurance. Policy information will be sent to you via email approximately two weeks prior to your program start date. In the meantime, we encourage you to review the insurance information we provide on our website.

Domestic Health Insurance

Participants are required to retain their existing health insurance: study abroad insurance does NOT replace comprehensive, US-­based health insurance as required by Massachusetts and US law. You may not participate in BU Study Abroad programs without certifying that you have US-based coverage or are purchasing the BU Student Health Plan.

MEDICATIONS & PRESCRIPTIONS:

If you take regular medications, the best course of action is to bring enough medication to last the duration of your program (if allowable). Consult with your doctors prior to departure to obtain the necessary supply of your medications, as well as copies of the written prescriptions. Many insurance companies offer vacation waivers to accommodate being out of the country for several months.

If for any reason you cannot be prescribed or transport a full supply of your medication, you will need to see a doctor in your host city to be re-prescribed. Keep in mind that you should not plan to mail any medications due to customs regulations.

International SOS can help you manage your plan for your healthcare abroad with expert advice on how to navigate the local healthcare system and with personalized recommendations based on your specific medical needs. Students should contact the International SOS 24/7 Assistance Center at +1 215-942-8478 or via the International SOS Assistance App.   ISOS can assist you to find out whether your medication is available in your host country and make a plan to avoid any disruption of care, including planning for healthcare needs and connecting you to quality healthcare professionals abroad.

DOCTORS & SPECIALISTS:

If you see a doctor or mental health provider for regular care in the United States, you will want to meet with your provider to discuss continuing your care abroad. As part of this conversation you may need to contact ISOS directly to find local medical providers.

ISOS can provide assistance with planning for your medical needs abroad, including:

• Availability of meducation, including shipment options and costs
• Standards of local medical care
• Confirming coverage of specific conditions or treatments
• Confirming insurance benefits
• Appointment scheduling assistance
• Filing a claim, or status of a filed claim
• Setting up guarantees of payment or direct payment to in-network doctors.

If you have any questions or need assistance preparing for your individual medical needs abroad, please contact Katie Mungovan, Assistant Director of Enrollment Services, at katiedoh@bu.edu. During your on-site orientation, you will also receive detailed information about how to access local health resources and what to do if you get sick.

GENERAL HEALTH PREPARATIONS:

Study abroad can be mentally and physically challenging, so it is important for you to prepare as much as possible now for your health and safety during your time abroad. We recommend that you consider the following:

• Make an appointment with your doctor for a checkup and discuss any medications you take.
• If you are experiencing any emotional, eating, or substance abuse issues, seek professional counselling and consider deferring your participation in an overseas program, if necessary.
• If you have had difficulties coping with change, stress or anxiety in the past (whether or not it was professionally diagnosed), or are hoping that time spent overseas will help you solve a problem facing you at home, or on campus, you should talk to a medical professional before studying abroad.
• If you anticipate needing any dental, optical, or other procedures, plan to have them completed before departure. If you wear contacts or glasses, plan to bring enough with you to last the full program.
• Take the time now to read the BU Study Abroad Health and Safety webpage.

• Consult the CDC website (specifically for "Extended Stay/Study Abroad" travelers) for country-specific health information. The CDC recommends being up to date on all routine immunizations for any travel abroad, and you should ask your doctor about any recommended vaccines or medications you may need based on your destination. Be sure to discuss these recommendations, as well as any other health conditions you may have, with your doctor before you depart.

PREPARING TO LIVE IN HONG KONG:

Before going to China, you may want to get the following vaccinations: Hepatitis A and B, and Typhoid. Of course, you must check with your doctor to determine what vaccinations are appropriate for you, depending on your health and immunization history. To find the most up to date vaccination recommendations, please visit the Health Information for Travelers to Hong Kong section of the CDC’s website.

If you are in Boston, you may contact the the Boston Medical Center Travel Clinic, the Travel Clinic at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center or the Travel Clinic at MGH. Please visit the CDC website for general recommended actions.

If you have a mental health, emotional, learning, or physical disability that would require reasonable accommodations in order to complete the requirements of the program, you must obtain approval from the BU Disability and Access Services office (DAS), even if you've worked with their office previously. To initiate the approval request process, contact DAS at access@bu.edu or by phone at 617-353-3658. Please note that certain accommodations that you receive on your home campus may not be available at your program site, so the earlier that you are in contact with their office for advising, the better. The process for arranging accommodations may take several weeks. Please note that we are unable to accommodate emotional support animals in our international programs.

If you are currently consulting with a mental health professional, you must seek their counsel about the advisability of your participation in a study abroad program, especially as related to your adjustment to new cultural, academic, and housing environments and the availability of therapeutic or medical support while you are away from your home campus. If you have questions about the support available at your program destination, please contact your Program Manager.

Have you completed everything in Phases 1 and 2? Here is a self-check to make sure you’re on the right track. Make sure you’re keeping track of any upcoming deadlines and budgeting enough time to complete them on-time. If you missed a deadline, be sure to check in with you Program Manager and complete that task right away.

You should have completed:

(From Phase 1)

• Confirmed your participation via your BU Study Abroad Application and filled out the accompanying online forms.
• Submitted the HK PolyU Online Application – OCT 15

(From Phase 2)

• Submitted the Visa Application Materials online & to Hong Kong Poly U – OCT 30
• Attended your pre-departure meeting – JAN 4
• Registered for PolyU Courses – NOV 15-30
• Applied for PolyU Housing – TBD
• Reviewed Arrival Information & Reviewed Flight – DEC 1
• Made any necessary doctors appointments and located your nearest travel clinic for immunizations.
• Made a plan for any medications, prescriptions or healthcare needs abroad
• Contacted BU Disability Services to plan for academic accommodations and other support services (if necessary)