Spending four or five months exploring a foreign country is a rare opportunity, so it should be no surprise that many college students consider studying abroad before graduating and entering the workforce. Interestingly, only about one-tenth of college students choose to study abroad in Asia despite the professional benefits gained from getting to know Asian languages and culture. After all, China, Japan and other Asian countries are increasingly playing significant roles in international politics and the global economy.

Hong Kong, like many other Asian cities, has two sides: the bustling, ultra-modern city and the quieter backstreets with its temples and street vendors. The two official languages of Hong Kong are Chinese and English—a unique feature among Chinese provinces.
“Hong Kong has a lot of Western influence in every aspect—food, fashion and architecture,” said Natalie Ngai, a senior at Washington University in St. Louis. “There are English signs everywhere, and practically everyone can understand simple English. Compared to most other Asian cities, Hong Kong has prettier buildings and a much …

As the largest city in China and a center of Chinese commerce, Shanghai is understandably one of the most popular study abroad destinations in Asia. The city’s culture is dynamic and fast-paced. “Shanghai is where everything is happening—it’s especially great for finance, media and art students,” said Tina Qu, who grew up in Shanghai and returned to study abroad as a junior.
“Shanghai is a unique city in that it’s a collision of the new and the old,” said Valerie Guan, a finance and international business major at New York University. …