Postgraduate Student Life @ CUHK

For many aspiring business professionals, the journey from graduation to a meaningful career can feel like a long and winding road. But for KIM Kyungrok (Rok), a graduate of the MSc in Management (MiM) at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), the path was swift.

By choosing Hong Kong postgraduate studies at CUHK, Rok transformed from a recent graduate into a confident business professional - graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA and a collection of prestigious case competition titles to his name.

A Strategic Choice for Global Ambition

When exploring postgraduate options, many students naturally gravitate toward the U.S. or Europe. For Rok, however, Hong Kong presented a compelling alternative. “If you want to work in Asia Pacific, I think Hong Kong would be a great option - a great place to work,” he explains. The decision was practical too. “Compared to other countries, it's a bit easier to get a visa. Personally, the United States and Europe were quite far away from my home country, so I wanted to choose somewhere nearby.” 

Among the CUHK graduate programmes available, the MiM stood out for its distinctive pace. “The MiM programme will suit you if you want to learn things in a fast-paced environment,” Rok notes. “You can finish your curriculum fast and get into the workforce sooner. Since it's related to management, it's more like you need more hands-on experience.”

Bridging Theory and Reality through Competition

One of the most distinctive aspects of Rok's Hong Kong student experience was his active participation in experiential learning. During his time at CUHK, he was the runner-up in the MiM capstone project and the 2nd runner-up in the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) Business Case Competition.

“Competitions are ways for you to apply what you learn in the programme to real-life cases,” Rok says. “In the HKGCC competition, we dealt with a real business case in Hong Kong. When you analyse that case, you can use what you learn from the courses and ask for help on how to apply those knowledge into the real-life case.” 

The capstone project which includes an overseas study trip, a hallmark of CUHK MiM experience, pushed things further still. “Since we were working with a real industry partner, you basically have to make up something that would provide a feasible solution or actually make some tangible impact on real projects,” Rok reflects. “That gives you an edge over other people.”

Leading in the Digital Age

The MiM programme's focus on “Management in the Digital Age” equips students for an economy being reshaped by automation and artificial intelligence. “As time passes, everything is getting more digitalised. Everyone uses AI and everywhere there's technology,” Rok observes. “The MiM programme also focuses a lot on emerging technology and digital innovation - they give you complementary courses for you to learn more about these technologies to prepare you for the future.”

This technical grounding is complemented by the programme's international classroom. Working alongside classmates from as far as Canada and Russia, Rok found that diverse perspectives deepened his understanding considerably. “When I do a group project, I could gain some insight from how they see things in a different perspective. They also share about different new technologies that I wasn't aware of before.”

The CUHK Advantage: Small Batches, Big Insights

For international students in Hong Kong, the quality of day-to-day learning matters as much as a programme's reputation. Rok found that the MiM's small cohort structure made a meaningful difference. “CUHK MiM maintains a selective cohort size. You're grouped into very small groups, so you can focus more. It's an interactive, MBA-like programme where you don't just sit in a lecture room and listen - it's very interactive.”

The faculty brought an equally important dimension to his studies. “The professors are not just academic; some professors actually work in the industry. They share their real-life experiences and invite many industry experts to share their insights. If you're interested in the retail industry, for example, they invite those who are really working in that industry so you can ask them questions.”

Words of Wisdom for International Students

Drawing on his journey through CUHK graduate school, Rok has practical advice for those considering a similar path - particularly Korean students navigating mandatory military service. “For Koreans, they have to go to the military, so they are already a bit older than other people. This fast-paced programme would help them start their career faster with a master's degree.”

He also highlights the IANG visa as one of Hong Kong's most valuable benefits for graduates. “In Hong Kong, you basically have a free period where you can work. I think that's one of the big factors. As long as you graduate from MiM, you can apply for a two-year visa which makes it really easier to find jobs.”

His advice for anyone considering the Hong Kong graduate school is simple: “If they want to have international exposure, the Hong Kong MiM programme is one of the programmes that suits them best. It's a very appealing choice.”

Through his time at CUHK Business School, Rok has built far more than an impressive academic record - he has developed the technical knowledge, cross-cultural understanding, and practical experience to thrive in today's business world. His story is a testament to the unique opportunities that await at CUHK.