Author: Lu Jingyi Wen Wei Po, Hong Kong  

Date: September 12, 2024

As the academic season opens for mainland universities in the Greater Bay Area, a wave of Hong Kong freshmen is arriving on campus, ready to embark on a transformative educational journey. Guangdong province, the primary enrollment hub for students from Hong Kong and Macao in mainland China, boasts 71 universities with enrollment qualifications, welcoming an increasing number of students; currently, about 15,000 Hong Kong and Macao students are enrolled, with nearly 3,000 expected this year alone.

(Freshmen and their parents at JNU internet-famous spot.)

(The freshmen and their parents at Jinan University expresses their appreciation for the dormitory.)

Many Hong Kong students express hopes of thriving in their studies at mainland universities and contributing to the Greater Bay Area's development through future career opportunities. 

At Jinan University, the atmosphere is lively as over 2,000 new students from Hong Kong arrive. Freshman Leung Dongshen, who is majoring in broadcasting and hosting, describes his experience: “The campus is vast and beautiful, and the seniors have been friendly and supportive.” 

He quickly familiarizes himself with mainland apps for convenience in online shopping, food delivery, and transportation. His diverse living arrangements, including roommates from Japan, add to the international appeal of his new environment. “I brought multiple notebooks to document my college experience,” he adds, showcasing his eagerness to embrace this new chapter of life.

As classes begin, these students are poised to embark on their academic journeys, eager to make the most of their time in Guangdong and contribute to the region's vibrant culture and economy.