A STINT OF on-the-job work in Ireland persuaded Joe Fok Chi-kiu that he could work just as happily overseas as he would in Hong Kong. He said his stay at Queen's University, in Belfast, as a PolyU Preferred Graduate Programme student changed his outlook. 'I hadn't considered working outside of Hong Kong, but my workplace experience in Ireland has broadened my horizon considerably,' Mr Fok said. 'After travelling overseas and working in an environment that is different to Hong Kong, I would not hesitate to apply for a suitable overseas job after I graduate.' During his 10-week internship, he noted that people in Ireland worked fewer hours than they did in Hong Kong but packed a lot of work into each day. Mr Fok is studying BEng (Hons) Industrial Systems Engineering. At Queen's University, he worked on computer-aided design projects, and synergy and element analysis in manufacturing. The manufacturing project involved making Rolls-Royce aircraft engines. 'Until I went to Belfast, I generally associated Rolls-Royce with cars, not aircraft,' he said. He found the work interesting and challenging, and his new colleagues supportive and helpful. 'I learnt from them different ways to approach new concepts, and the importance of teamwork and interpersonal skills in a workplace environment.' He also made time to travel to Dublin in the Irish Republic and Scotland. Mr Fok said any nervousness he had felt about working in Europe was outweighed by his high expectations and the benefits he hoped to gain from the experience. 'I highly recommend this programme to other students,' he said. 'I am grateful for a very memorable experience.'