HONG KONG – Charles Henry Faustino Tan grew up visiting Hong Kong with his family, never expecting he’d end up living there. Now in his last year studying Professional Accountancy at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), his journey reflects a growing interest among Southeast Asian students in education options closer to home rather than the usual choices in the West.
Charles found his way to CUHK almost by chance. He remembers, “My mom came across CUHK while we were looking for universities. Back then, I didn’t know much about it.” What began as a last-minute application turned into a key moment in his life.
He was drawn to CUHK’s distinctive features, like its college system and the open, green campus. His experience shows how many students today look beyond rankings to find universities that offer a well-rounded student life.
CUHK Changing Views on Accountancy
Charles sees accountancy in a new light. He recalls, “A lot of people, myself included, used to think Professional Accountancy was just about business math. But it’s actually more like an international language and even an art.” His perspective shows how the field is changing in Asia, with roles shifting away from just number crunching toward more strategic positions in business.
Through the Co-op@CUHK program, Charles completed an internship as a Financial Planning and Analysis Trainee with a major car retailer in Hong Kong. He put classroom knowledge to work in real business tasks like market research and financial reporting.
“I was surprised by how our studies affect big financial decisions,” he says. At first, working mostly in Cantonese made him nervous. “The language was tough at the start,” he admits, “but I saw it as a chance to build communication skills that matter in a global workplace.”
His technical skills and ability to adapt often mattered more than perfect language skills. “My managers cared more about my analysis and new ideas,” he points out. The internship not only built his confidence and skills, but also gave him a true look at what a career in Hong Kong’s business world could be like.
Connecting Cultures
In his final year, Charles has become an advocate for CUHK in the Philippines. Many students there still don’t know about CUHK. “A lot of people think studying abroad means going to the West,” he says. “Hong Kong offers a mix of East and West, plus it’s only a short flight from home.”
Charles (centre) and his friends in the Philippine United Student Organisation hosted a Filipino Night Market on campus to introduce their culture. Events like this show CUHK’s active international community, where students from all over Asia build friendships and share traditions.
CUHK’s large campus is rare in Hong Kong and gives students more space to connect. “I’ve seen wild boars, snakes, and monkeys here,” Charles laughs. “It feels like a mini zoo.” These moments, along with the college system, have helped create a special place for learning and living that stands out from other schools in Asia.
As more Southeast Asian students look for new educational paths, stories like Charles’ show how international higher education is changing. His experience hints that the future of education may lie in places that bring together the best of both East and West.
About CUHK
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), founded in 1963, is a top research university in Asia. It consistently ranks among the region’s leading educational institutions.
