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Despite facing tough times following his first move to Hong Kong, the mainland Ph.D. student still plans to reside in the city after graduation.

Fu Yang. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

"It was the worst time of my life. Coming to Hong Kong for the first time, I began to notice how life here moved so fast. While there were lots of things to do, I felt cramped in my tiny room," said Fu Yang, a mainland Ph.D. student who, despite this, plans to remain in the city after graduation.

City University of Hong Kong. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Fu studied at the City University of Hong Kong after earning a master's degree at the Shanghai International Studies University two years ago.

"Given that there are a wide range of scholarships available for Ph.D. students at Hong Kong universities, I preferred to further my studies here. What is more, I'm able to find a balance in Hong Kong. As a special administrative region, it has many western elements, and universities here are more internationalized compared to those in the mainland. Meanwhile, Hong Kong still retains elements of Chinese culture and is also relatively close to my hometown," Fu explained.

Hong Kong, a global city where Chinese traditions are intertwined harmoniously with Western culture, draws many mainland Chinese like Fu. Chinese doctoral students account for 50% to 60% of all Ph.D. students at the City University of Hong Kong, according to Fu.

The central government announced the 10,000 Talent Plans on the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China with a view to encouraging local university teachers and students to travel to the mainland for both the experience and research opportunities. Over the past four years, 1618 programs have been completed and 35,000 participants have visited the mainland.

Before moving to Hong Kong, all Fu's knowledge about the city came from films and TV drama made there. He thought Hong Kong people were not very welcoming of people from other places, only to find that the locals were quite friendly.

Apart from their friendliness, what impressed Fu most was the drive of people in Hong Kong.

Fu Yang (C) attends an estate management meeting at the University of Hong Kong on December 15, 2016. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

"Studying here, I feel that my professors and colleagues push me forward every day. Most locals are hard-working and lead a rather hectic life," Fu said. "When I went back to Shanghai and took the escalator at a metro station, I was annoyed because it was so slow. I've now myself actually become accustomed to the fast pace of Hong Kong."

While it may seem at odds with the busy city life, Hong Kong is known for its people's belief in Buddhism: the oldest and most followed religion in the city.

Chi Lin Nunnery in Hong Kong. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

"I visited some Buddhist temples before, but in Hong Kong I can really feel the solemnity instead of following what others did," said Fu.

Even though the mainland Ph.D. student's early days in Hong Kong were tough, he is now trying his best to extend his stay there. "I think I can live a fulfilling life here. Whatever I have gone through adjusting to life in Hong Kong made me more positive and hardworking," he noted.

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