Hong Kong's minority students say 'no thanks' to mainland Chinese universities offering admission
Studying on the mainland is about more than just getting in as fees and tests daunt would-be students and those who have been accepted
Four out of nine non-Chinese speaking pupils who were the first at a Tuen Mun secondary school to apply to mainland universities received offers to attend, but only one of them is saying yes.
The others have declined, for fear they will not be able to adapt to the new environment.
Among them is Ratna Gurung, who received an offer from the prestigious and well-known Beijing Foreign Studies University. She opted instead to stay in Hong Kong and study hotel management through the Vocational Training Council.
Gurung, who moved to Hong Kong from Nepal six years ago, said cost was a factor for her.
"If local Hongkongers get admitted by mainland universities, their tuition fees and accommodation fees are much lower," she said. "We must apply as international students and pay much higher fees. This is our biggest disadvantage."
Gurung has not met the seven-year residency requirement to become a permanent Hong Kong resident, but that would not necessarily lower her costs.
We must apply as international students and pay much higher fees