Growing political uncertainty in Hong Kong, especially after the implementation of the National Security Law, may be pushing some students to head overseas.
Stephanie Leung, an 18-year-old student, is one such example.
Scroll down for the full script.
(Aired on ViuTVSix on 21 July 2020.)
Full Script:
Meet Stephanie.
Like some 50,000 other students in the city, she's awaiting her DSE results.
She was dead set on continuing her studies in Hong Kong as an undergraduate.
That is, until two weeks ago.
(Soundbite, STEPHANIE LEUNG)
"There's many political factors that make me feel unsure about Hong Kong. And I don't know what the economy will be like. Studying overseas at least gives me a way out, it's probably better."
Stephanie's now set on heading to Australia, where she'll study medicine.
Her mother is reluctant to part with her.
And she urges Stephanie to consider coming back to Hong Kong after her four-year degree is up, and if the situation in the SAR improves.
New national security laws that came into effect in Hong Kong on July 1 have marked the most profound change to the city's way of life since the 1997 handover.
Worries and uncertainty about the legislation are pushing younger Hongkongers to leave, says consultant Willy Kong.
He says 20 percent more students have asked about and decided to follow through with overseas study plans, compared to last year.
(Soundbite, WILLY KONG, AAS Education Consultancy)
"In the past, many would've waited until their DSE results, or know what university offers they got from JUPAS. But this year, there's a lot more students who've decided to head overseas regardless."
Kong says there've been other pull factors at play.
"When Australia extended its visa programme for Hong Kong students, we also got a lot of enquiries, especially from DSE-takers, about living abroad permanently after studying at university."
But it's not just Western countries that have grown more popular as a university destination.
The Hok Yau Club, which provides counselling and support for students, reported a 10 percent growth in those who've chosen the mainland to continue their studies.
A consultant for the Club says reduced demand for local universities, also means less competition for spaces in the city.
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