Exchange Experience
Exchange Experience
Academic Exchange with Cross-cultural Experience
Experience full-scale cultural and linguistic immersion through our cross-cultural exchange – one of the standout features of our program! In today’s job market, linguistic skills and cross-cultural knowledge are highly valued by recruiting companies, alongside solid management theory and practice.
As a CEMS student, you will be guaranteed an exchange at a prestigious CEMS member school abroad either in Term 1 or Term 2. “Abroad” means any location outside of your home institution or country where your bachelor’s degree is delivered. This will give students the chance to explore the CEMS’ network of elite member schools in Europe, the Americas and Asia.
When you accept your admission offer, you’ll select your preferred exchange schools. Your opportunities will be assigned based on your preference list. Typically, there’s one slot per member school each term, though availability may vary. The Program Office and the respective member schools will finalize the exchange placements, ensuring that you make the most of this exciting opportunity.
Remarks:
- The HKUST MIMT Program Office allows students to pick their preferred exchange school when you accept the admission offer. It is up to the student to evaluate the schools and prioritize their choices carefully. Keep in mind that once you submit your preferences, no changes can be made, and your assigned school will be final.
- Exchange allocation will be processed and announced after the second phase of application. If you’re applying in the third phase, keep in mind that you won’t have priority for school selection. Your options will depend on the availability of seats after the first two phases. Make sure your application is complete. Only those with all required materials will be considered.
- The HKUST MIMT Program Office carefully assigns exchange opportunities to enhance students’ international exposure to diverse cultures and communities you might not have encountered before. Factors taken into consideration include students’ holistic background, interview performance, preferred school term for exchange, priority on the preference list, overall demand for specific schools, and available exchange slots at each institution. This thoughtful approach ensures a valuable experience for every student.
- CEMS aims to balance student allocations across each member school each term, which means there are limited seats. Some exchange schools are in high demand, and unfortunately, not every request can be accommodated. If all your preferred choices are filled by students with stronger qualifications or performance, the HKUST MIMT Program Office will assign you to another CEMS school with available seats. Students who fail to complete the International Exchange will not be allowed to graduate from HKUST and CEMS.
Student Exchange Experience
Exchange School: Aalto University School of Business, Finland
Exchange Term: Fall Term 2019-20
During my exchange at Aalto University in Finland, I had a lot of unforgettable and unique experiences. In my first week arriving to the school, I went to the streets with my CEMS classmates to complete many interesting challenges. In the course of becoming a consultant, I was fortunate enough to visit a number of world-renowned consulting companies and experience the charm of consulting in games and practical sharing. In the sustainable development class, I not only learned about Finland’s great efforts in this field, but also visited the most famous local chocolate factory where I got to taste some delicious chocolate. At an event organized by the CEMS club, I enjoyed a traditional Finnish sauna, took a dip in an icy lake, and immersed myself in Finland’s rich culture alongside friends from all over the world. Throughout the exchange, I discovered diverse learning methods, a collaborative business environment, various development paths and met other lovely and interesting students. I really appreciate this experience a lot.
Exchange School: University College Dublin, Ireland
Exchange Term: Spring Term 2014-15
During my exchange at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School in Ireland, I was lucky to have been chosen to do a business project at the Oracle EMEA Center. In line with Oracle’s transformation from direct sales to subscription sales, we analyzed the current market situation of the subscription model both within and outside the IT industry. Our team ultimately proposed an integrated platform to implement best practices in Business Relationship Management, earning us an A grade from Oracle!
Additionally, I participated in many impressive events, such as the Smurfit Ball, St. Patrick Day celebrations, an Alumni Party, hiking at Wicklow Mountain and a graduation trip. Ireland is an amazing country with beautiful landscape and lovely people. During the exchange, I gained many new skills, made new friends from all over the world and experienced new things in life. I truly appreciated the time spent in this lovely country.
Exchange School: University of St.Gallen, Switzerland
Exchange Term: Fall Term 2019-20
As one of Europe’s top business schools, St.Gallen University offers an exchange experience that combines essential business concepts with an invaluable network of students and hands-on courses. At St.Gallen, you get the chance to work with companies like Daimler and Facebook to drive business changes and learn all about project management skills that will be extremely helpful in future business projects.
Here, you are in a class with a group of very intelligent and diverse students. The courses will challenge you to ask questions in a real-world setting. The St.Gallen CEMS club also hosts events every week ranging from an international brunch to corporate partner roundtables and farewell weekends, culminating in many unforgettable moments. I strongly encourage future students to attend the CEMS events to create a stronger bond with your CEMSies abroad. I would also recommend St.Gallen to students looking to spend the semester in one of the most beautiful countries and to really learn things that you can take with you in your career.
Exchange School: Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary
Exchange Term: Fall Term 2019-20
My daily student life on the left bank of the Danube has been both worthwhile and memorable. When I first arrived, there was a week-long sightseeing tour, pub crawl, meet-and-greet all in one, giving me the opportunity to meet my fellow students and discover the city for the first time. Our block seminar took place in Visegrád, one of the most beautiful towns in Hungary, where I engaged in an intense brainstorming session on digital business transformation with a diverse group of students. Our different backgrounds led to many creative and brilliant ideas.
I also had the amazing opportunity to deepen my specialized knowledge. I was selected by Bain & Company to participate in the workshop “The Beauty of Due Diligence” in Munich, which helped me gain valuable insights into private equity. In the CEMS PRO BONO CONSULTING PROJECT, our team collaborated with the Neurodiversitas Foundation, a local organization, to develop a business model. Supported by professional consultants in Deloitte and professors from the university, we acted as real consultants and enhanced our professional skills.
If you want to experience high-quality teaching in a romantic and mysterious European city, CUB must be on your list!
Exchange School: Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, Netherlands
Exchange Term: Spring Term 2014-15
RSM offers everything you need to learn about business and management. Many professors in the CEMS programme have working experience with outstanding companies such as IBM, ING and BCG. The classmates here are not only passionate about academics but are also ehtusaistic about engaging in interesting social events. The CEMS Club RSM ranks top in Europe offering their CEMSies an unforgettable exchange experience and networking opportunities. Of course, apart from study and having fun with friends, the Netherlands is a fantastic country, known for its lovely tulips, nice people and amazing views, which you will get to enjoy a lot during your exchange term.
Exchange School: Nova School of Business and Economics, Portugal
Exchange Term: Fall Term 2017-18
I can still vividly recall the awe I felt when I stood before the grand, church-like mansion and realised it was the Nova School of Business and Economics’ campus, right in the middle of Lisbon. Nova offers an unparalleled block seminar experience, complete with a hotel alongside the beach, three-hour lectures followed by two hours of beach time and alumni gathering parties in the evenings. Academically, the Brand Management course was one of the most rewarding experiences, taught by a professor who was the former marketing director of L'Oreal France. She provided us with weekly coaching sessions and opportunities to present at the headquarters of Nestlé Portugal. Hearing compliments of our CEMS students from the manager herself made me feel so proud.
Lisbon is an amazing city with wonderful sunshine and welcoming residents. While Nova may not be as popular as the other CEMS member schools, I truly felt lucky to have had this fantastic experience.
Application for 2026/27 intake is now open!
Apply to the HKUST MIMT program today to gain essential management knowledge and skills in just one year, preparing yourself for leadership roles in global organizations and diverse work environments.