Discover HKBU
A week in Berlin brings lifelong lessons
29 Aug 2025
Before setting foot in Berlin, Thant Thazin Eain Teresa, a fourth-year Economics and Data Analytics student from Myanmar at HKBU, imagined a city renowned for its political landmarks, diplomatic engagements and historical significance. Little did she know that she would find a city that encourages innovation and prioritises sustainability, and there she would gain new perspectives on international cooperations and make lasting friendships.
“My experience in Berlin was filled with surprises, warmth, and a deeper connection to both the city and the people I met along the way,” says Teresa. “This experience was made possible because of HKBU’s Extended Study Programme, which gave me the chance to see the world not as a tourist, but as a student eager to connect what I saw with what I’ve learned.”
Teresa was part of the group of HKBU students who went on a weeklong tour to Berlin this summer under the Extended Study Programme. Organised by the University’s International Office, the Berlin tour was themed “Exchange, Dialogue and Collaboration between China and Germany”. From interacting with industry professionals to visiting technology companies and exchanging views with local peers, the tour aimed to provide both Hong Kong and overseas students at HKBU with enriching educational experiences to broaden their horizons.
New perspectives on international cooperation
Highlights of the tour included visits to various organisations to understand how Sino-German collaboration plays a key role in global trade, investment and innovation. At the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) of the HKSAR Government, students learned about its mission in shaping and maintaining the relations among Hong Kong, the Mainland and Germany. In addition to promoting trade and political engagements, HKETO Berlin organises cultural events such as art exhibitions and film festivals to bridge communities.
“As someone who believes in the power of creativity, I found it inspiring that HKETO Berlin uses cultural experience to build trust and understanding. This made me appreciate HKBU’s approach of integrating academic knowledge with real-world experiences. It’s one thing to study international relations in class, but another to see it happening in front of you,” says Teresa.
The students also met with professionals and leaders from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Berlin Branch, the Berlin Office of the Investment and Technology Promotion Office under the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, as well as the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Germany. These meetings enabled the students to gain a deeper understanding of international trade developments and technological innovation.
Bianca Nadine Adzuara, a Creative and Professional Writing student from the Philippines, was impressed by the visit to NIO House Berlin, a social space and members’ facility designed for the Chinese electric car manufacturer NIO. “It was interesting that this electric car brand has been making big strides in the competitive vehicle market. Germany is known for its automotive industry, but this car company has been making promising growth in integrating itself into European car preferences,” Bianca says.
The diverse range of activities on the tour gave students a glimpse of Germany’s social and cultural landscape. Bianca believes that the experience at the Haus der Bundespressekonferenz (House of Federal Press Conference) has offered her insights into Germany’s media sector. She says: “German media approaches journalism and artificial intelligence with a level of caution and responsibility that we could all learn from. In terms of international collaboration, perhaps what we in Asia can offer is urgency, creativity, and a readiness to experiment.”
Sparking innovative ideas for the future
During the tour, HKBU students had the opportunities to interact with the people of Berlin and their peers from the Humboldt University of Berlin (HU Berlin). In exchange sessions guided by faculty from both universities, students got to share their academic and career aspirations, build friendships across cultures and develop their sense of global citizenship.
Hannan Hajisamae, an Accounting student at HKBU, says, “I really enjoyed the discussions with students from HU Berlin. It helped me understand the German culture more, and I also had the chance to share my experiences in Hong Kong as well as my home country, Thailand.”
She is particularly taken by the Germans’ support for sustainable practices. “Spending a week in Berlin made me want to change my lifestyle and way of thinking to be more sustainable. This has inspired me to explore how I could integrate the discipline of accounting with sustainability in my final-year project,” says Hannan.
Similarly, Teresa has new aspirations for her future endeavours. The tour has shown her that apart from economic partnerships, culture, creativity, and human connection are just as instrumental in fostering international relations. This has encouraged her to seek entrepreneurship prospects in Germany and Hong Kong. She says: “HKBU’s emphasis on global exposure has inspired me to explore a career where I can connect economic knowledge with cross-cultural engagement and become a bridge between communities, just like the people I met on this trip.”