Yale University is a prestigious institution of higher education located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States, known for its academic excellence, rich history, and commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering global leaders. Founded in 1701, Yale is one of the oldest universities in the United States and is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world. The campus is known for its architectural beauty, constructed in a monolithic, pseudo-Gothic style, with iconic buildings like the Harkness Tower and the Sterling Memorial Library. Yale University offers a wide range of academic programs across various disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, arts, business, law, and medicine. Undergraduate students at Yale live in 14 residential colleges, namely Benjamin Franklin College, Berkeley College, Branford College, Davenport College, Ezra Stiles College, Grace Hopper College, Jonathan Edwards College, Morse College, Pauli Murray College, Pierson College, Saybrook College, Silliman College, Timothy Dwight College, and Trumbull College. Each college has its unique culture and contributes to creating a vibrant campus life with a wide range of interesting extracurricular activities.

As a well-designed program, Y-VISP aimed to deepen and broaden students’ academic interests, which greatly benefited my educational goals. With its world-leading research in arts and social sciences, the visiting study at Yale offered me abundant opportunities to pursue my concentrated fields—art history and psychology—both in depth and breadth. One art history course I took at Yale, called Renaissance Architecture: A Global History, refreshed my perspective on the interpretation of architectural structures and artistic styles. In addition, the opportunity to visit many of the world-class museums and galleries located at Yale, such as the Yale University Art Gallery and Yale Center for British Art, not only met my personal interests but also advanced my art history studies. In terms of psychology, I took a rich array of intriguing interdisciplinary courses, such as criminology, cognitive science, and psychopharmacology. I also participated in psychological research, which advanced my knowledge of clinical psychology and helped me gain important research skills. Furthermore, Yale advocates for “Liberal Arts Education,” encouraging students to explore other fields for enrichment, with the goal of “expanding the mind’s power” rather than “storing it with knowledge,” according to the 1828 Yale Report. With an enthusiastic willingness to step out of my comfort zone, I tried out many courses beyond my two majors, such as environmental studies and earth sciences. Although I was an art major, these science classes provided me with a solid foundation of general knowledge and shaped me into a more affluent person. Getting a chance to study so extensively during my undergraduate studies was truly an invaluable asset in my life.

Apart from the academic aspect, the diverse extracurricular activities at Yale helped me cultivate personal growth and gain new cultural experiences. Situating myself in a new culture and a challenging academic environment was difficult for me at first, but it was the obstacle I encountered that enabled me to enhance my independence, adaptability, and multicultural communication skills. Living in Benjamin Franklin College, one of Yale’s fourteen residential colleges, I got to know many intelligent, driven and motivated Yale students whose curiosity and enthusiasm always allowed us to spark lively discussions. One crucial skill that benefited me a lot was learning to communicate with people who came from diverse backgrounds that were often so different from my own. Growing up in a family with a strong emphasis on traditional Chinese culture, it was my pleasure to share Chinese culture with Yale students, such as Taoism, tea ceremonies, and calligraphy. Likewise, I gained many new cultural insights from students around the world, such as the New York Yankees, the American custom of small talk, and various ethnic cuisines. Moreover, together with other Y-VISP students, I participated in many exciting events and activities, such as trips to New York City and Boston, kayaking at the Yale Outdoor Education Center Bulldog Bash, Durham Fair one of the largest and oldest agricultural fairs in New England, Y-VISP monthly birthday celebrations, Fire Pit & S’mores in the Benjamin Franklin College courtyard, Postcard Writing, and Cherry Blossom Festival. Understanding the great importance that Yale places on campus life, I fully immersed myself in the Yale community and harvested a lot of unforgettable moments with people I met here, many of whom have become lifelong friends of mine.

I genuinely appreciate all the kind support I received throughout my visiting study, including the University of Hong Kong and Yale University, the donor, my academic advisers at HKU and Yale, all the fantastic and supportive professors at Yale, Lauren Perrino the director of the Yale Visiting International Students Program, and Y-VISP peer liaisons. Without their support, it would not have been easy for me to adjust to life at Yale and enjoy every day here.

Based on my personal experiences, I would highly recommend other students who are interested in studying abroad to participate in the Yale Visiting International Students Program or other exchange and visiting programmes. Getting a chance to study in a different country would be a wonderful adventure to experience new perspectives, navigate diverse cultures, and build strong language skills.

Taken together, I greatly appreciate HKU offering me such a fantastic opportunity to study at Yale University and experience their residential life. I truly gained a ton from this very experience, both academically and personally. I hope more students will grasp this opportunity and join this programme in the following years – wish them the best of luck!