“Chris has been a great mentor in helping me get used to Toronto. His wife, Annie, also an HKU alumna, and Chris took me and another mentee Kelvin to have dim sum for the first time and also took us shopping in a Chinese supermarket. As every place is far from campus, this was really a great help to us, especially as we had only been there for two to three weeks when we first met. They helped us navigate areas near the University and also told us what we should get and where to get them, based on their own experience living there and also from their son’s experience of living away from home. Chris also gave me advice on academic and career choices when we met again at another Chinese restaurant. He is a great mentor that has incredible advice and insights, and he is always ready to jump on any topic and can give advice on almost anything. He also reached out to me often to make sure I am okay and adapting well. He is really nice and caring.
Not only did I get to meet my mentor Chris, I have also met other mentors and students through this programme, as I participated in a hike and dinner held by the HKUAA of Ontario, Canada. As my mentor was busy that weekend, he could not join the event. Other mentors kindly drove me to a golf course where we had lunch before more people gathered for the hike. And after the hike, we had dinner together at a Chinese restaurant. All of us occupied four tables and it was very impressive to see so many HKU alumni and students across different generations together. Everyone was really nice and it was a great dinner. A mentor gave me a ride straight to my door after the dinner. I really enjoy and appreciate the welcoming and loving atmosphere the HKU alumni in Ontario have shared with me.”
Mentor in Ontario, Canada: Dr Christopher Tam
Outgoing Exchange Mentee (2018-19): Michelle Wong, BA Year 3