Modern Australian
Men's Weekly

.

From Manila to CUHK: How One Student's Journey Challenges Traditional Education Paths

HONg KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 11 July 2025 - Growing up with regular family trips to Hong Kong, Charles Henry Faustino TAN never imagined he would one day call the city his second home.

Now a final-year Professional Accountancy student at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), his story represents a shifting trend in Southeast Asian students seeking alternatives to traditional Western education destinations.

Breaking from Convention

Charles' path to CUHK came through serendipity. "My mother discovered CUHK during our university search," he recalls. "At the time, I knew little about its rankings or standing." What began as a last-minute application transformed into a defining choice, as Charles found himself drawn to CUHK's unique offerings - from its collegiate system to its sprawling green campus. His story reflects a growing trend among today's students who are looking beyond university rankings to seek institutions that offer a more holistic educational experience.

Redefining Professional Education

Charles' experience challenges common misconceptions about accountancy education. "Everyone, including me at one point, thought Professional Accountancy was just business mathematics," he reflects. "It's actually an international language and an art form." This perspective highlights the evolving nature of professional education in Asia, where traditional number-crunching roles are being transformed into strategic business positions.

Beyond Classroom Walls

Through the Co-op@CUHK programme, Charles gained invaluable industry exposure as a Financial Planning and Analysis Trainee at one of Hong Kong's prominent car retailers. The experience challenged him to apply classroom theories to real business scenarios - from market analysis to financial reporting. "What struck me most was seeing how our academic concepts directly influence million-dollar decisions," Charles shares. Working in a predominantly Cantonese-speaking environment, he initially worried about communication barriers. "The language barrier was definitely challenging," he acknowledges. "But it became an opportunity to develop cross-cultural communication skills essential in today's global workplace."

Moreover, his technical skills and adaptability soon proved more valuable than language proficiency. "My supervisors were more interested in my analytical capabilities and fresh perspectives," he notes. The internship not only enhanced his professional skills but also gave him a realistic preview of working in Hong Kong's dynamic business sector - an experience that has shaped his career aspirations.

Charles addresses fellow students and industry partners at the Annual Co-op@CUHK Opening Ceremony 2025
Charles addresses fellow students and industry partners at the Annual Co-op@CUHK Opening Ceremony 2025

Building Bridges

Now in his final semester, Charles has taken on an unexpected role as a cultural ambassador. Noting the limited awareness of CUHK in the Philippines, he's working to bridge this information gap. "There's a misconception that studying abroad means going to the West," he explains. "Hong Kong offers a unique blend of Eastern and Western influences, plus proximity to home - it's only 2.5 hours away."

Embracing campus diversity: Charles (center), together with members of The Philippine United Student Organisation, hosts a Filipino Night Market Event on campus. Such events exemplify CUHK's vibrant international community where students from across Asia and beyond share their cultural heritage while forming lasting friendships.
Embracing campus diversity: Charles (center), together with members of The Philippine United Student Organisation, hosts a Filipino Night Market Event on campus. Such events exemplify CUHK's vibrant international community where students from across Asia and beyond share their cultural heritage while forming lasting friendships.

Campus Life Reimagined

CUHK's sprawling campus - unusual in space-conscious Hong Kong - has created unexpected opportunities for community building. "I've seen wild boars, snakes, and monkeys on campus," Charles laughs. "It's like a tiny zoo." These experiences, combined with the university's collegiate system, have fostered a distinctive living-learning environment that sets it apart from other Asian institutions.

As Southeast Asian students increasingly look beyond traditional education destinations, stories like Charles' highlight the changing landscape of international higher education. His experience suggests that the future of global education might not lie in choosing between East and West, but in finding spaces where both seamlessly converge.Hashtag: #CUHK

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About CUHK

Founded in 1963, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) stands as a leading comprehensive research university, consistently ranked among Asia's top educational institutions.

Private Booze Cruisers – The New Must-Have Toy for Cashed Up Millennials

Did you hear that your 30s are the new 20s? We’ve finally rocked up that adult money and now it’s time to play with it. I was going for a walk ...

Grinding & Jaw Soreness: Signs You Might Need Night Guards and How We Protect Enamel

Waking with a tight jaw, tender muscles, or a dull temple headache is more than a bad night’s sleep. Many Australians grind or clench their teeth ...

Circular Interior Design: Furnishing with Salvaged & Reclaimed Materials

Circular interior design is gradually making its way from niche circles into mainstream Australian homes. At its core, this approach revolves around...

Invisible Braces vs Traditional Braces: Which Is Best for Adults?

Straightening teeth as an adult is common in Australia, and the options are better than ever. The two main choices are clear aligners, also called i...

Smoking, Vaping, and Healing: How Nicotine Affects Sockets and What you can do About it

Nicotine and oral surgery are a poor mix. After an wisdom teeth removal in Sydney, your body needs a stable blood clot and steady blood flow to rebu...

Titanium and Bone: How Dental Implants Become Part of the Jaw

Dental implants replace missing teeth by anchoring a metal fixture in the jaw and fitting a crown on top. Their success rests on a biological event ...

Do Wisdom Teeth Really Make You Wiser? Debunking Old Beliefs

Wisdom teeth are among the most discussed teeth in dentistry, not because of their function but because of the myths that surround them. The name it...

How Long Do Dental Implants Really Last? The Facts Dentists Won’t Skip

Australians often ask one simple question before green-lighting treatment: how long will a dental implant actually last? The short answer is that th...

The Confidence Curve: Why Implants Change the Way You Carry Yourself

Losing a tooth is not just a physical change; it alters the way people see themselves and how they believe others perceive them. While dentistry has...

Why Reliable Air Conditioning Services Are Essential for Year-Round Comfort

Melbourne’s climate is known for its unpredictable swings—from scorching summers to chilly winters. This variability makes it crucial for homes ...

Expert Plumbing Solutions in Perth: From Hot Water Systems to Leak Detection

Plumbing is one of those things we often take for granted—until something goes wrong. From stepping into an unexpectedly cold shower to discovering ...

Eco-smart Car Removal in Sydney: Practical Steps That Cut Waste and Return Value

Sydney’s ageing cars add up to a serious waste stream, and choosing the right removal service makes a measurable difference. Your decision sends m...

Measuring the Success of Your Bus Advertising Campaign

Bus ads turn everyday travel into high-reach media. They move through busy corridors, sit in traffic where people can read them, and keep working af...

Partner Visa Pathways: Onshore vs Offshore Applications Explained

Choosing between Australia’s onshore and offshore partner visa routes affects timing, travel, work rights and budget. This guide explains the stru...

Serving Styles Compared: Buffet, Grazing, or Plated for the Office

Choosing how to serve food at a work function shapes the pace of the event, how people mingle and how smoothly the agenda runs. The right format dep...

5 Essential Tips for Hiring Gold Coast Plumbers

Finding the best plumber on the Gold Coast can be as complex as navigating a network of pipes, requiring an expert who is capable, reliable, and s...

Hidden Costs of Moving You Need to Budget For (And How to Avoid Them)

Moving house ranks among life's most busy experiences, and discovering unexpected expenses along the way certainly doesn't help with stress levels. Wh...

Understanding Australian Building Regulations: What Every Mornington Builder Wants You to Know

If you live on the Mornington Peninsula, you likely already feel the risk of bushfires,hot, dry summers, nearby bushland, and epic wind events. That...