Fair promotes study in Europe
Students looking to further their education in Europe will have three new countries to choose from at next week's European Higher Education Fair.
Thirteen European countries will be represented at the event. Apart from established countries such as France and Germany, three new countries will make their debut this year - Cyprus, Ireland and Latvia.
Language used to be a big barrier to Hongkongers studying overseas, but not any more, said Maria Castillo-Fernandez, head of the European Union's office to Hong Kong and Macau. 'Many European Union countries have started teaching courses in English to make their institutions more appealing to international students,' she said.
There are many such programmes available. Some institutes offer courses in English to begin with, then switch to the host country's language once students feel ready. 'Ten to 15 years ago, applicants had to learn the language to study in some European countries. Now that is not necessary,' said Dr Sylvia Brandt, director of the German Academic Exchange Service's information centre. 'The great variety of food and cultural activities in Europe will also be part of the education there.'
Martin Ho Tze-chun, academic officer with France's consulate general for Hong Kong and Macau, said information on many scholarships and other sources of funding for study in the country would be available at the fair.
The fair will be held at the Hong Kong Central Library in Causeway Bay from 1pm to 6pm on March 12 and 13. Admission is free.
