|
Main
Home
Overview
Pre - Departure
Applications
Healthcare
Insurance
Passport
Plane Tickets
VISA
Packing
Adapters
Clothes
Laptop
Travel Books |
Logistics
Banking
Bathrooms
Budget
Communication
Food
Money
Personal ID
Security
Transportation
Water
Weather
Post - Arrival
Room Cleaning
Sports Complex
Store Hours
VISA Tip |
Budget:
I'm not going to try and estimate how much you are going to spend during your trip to Hong Kong. It's too subjective upon your lifestyle and how much extra traveling you want to do. What I can estimate for you are the things you will HAVE to pay for while you are there, i.e. housing, food, etc.
Housing
Based upon housing costs of Semester A, 2001. The cost per day to live in the dormitory was about eleven US dollars. So, multiply that times the number of days you will be in Hong Kong and that should give you a rough estimate on your housing costs. You'll most likely be billed two separate times for housing. They will split the time you are there in Hong Kong in two and bill you accordingly. It was my experience that they don't put a "due date" on the rent bills, they just want you to pay them before you leave. However, I suggest paying the rent bills as soon as you receive them...while you still have money!
Tuition
Tuition you will pay to Oregon State University. Make sure when you receive your bill for the semester you will be abroad that you are only charged for the credit hours you will be taking while in Hong Kong. You should not be billed for things like the OSU Technology Fee, and things like that. Since you won't be here to use them OSU is not supposed to charge you for them.
Air Conditioning
Air Conditioning is available in your dorm room. In order to operate the air conditioning unit you'll need to purchase "Air-Con Cards" from the lobby of the dormitory. Air-Con Cards are available in $50 and $100 Hong Kong dollar denominations. One Hong Kong dollar is one hour's worth of air conditioning. Incidentally...the management at the dormitory are more strict about paying for your Air-Con Cards in a timely manner, rather than your rent.
Food
Food is relatively cheap in Hong Kong, especially if you like Chinese food. The canteen (what we would call a cafeteria) on campus has descent sized menu. I'd have to say that about 90% of the menu is Chinese food and the other 10% is more western. Theoretically, if ate all three meals a day in the campus canteen, you could eat for about $6.50 US a day. Of course, you're likely to eat out in the city on several occasions. On average you might spend anywhere between $5 to $10 USD per meal eaten out in the city, if you eat Chinese food. You could easily pay more when going out for Chinese, depending on the location and the restaurant. If you're looking for other varieties of food, namely American food, Italian, Mexican, etc. you are likely to pay quite a bit more per meal. For example, a hamburger at Dan Ryan's, an American themed Bar and Grill, is about $10 USD. However, American fast-food is cheaper in Hong Kong compared to the U.S. The most expensive Value Meal at McDonald's only costs about $2.60 USD. |
