Jerry Tai 

Exchange Period: 14 July - 11 August 2023

During my Australian optometry exchange at the University of New South Wales, I collaborated with local students in primary care, contact lenses, and vision screening. This exposure led to significant personal and professional growth.

While services were similar to my practice in Hong Kong, I faced communication challenges with patients due to language barriers. Using non-primary language made it difficult to keep up with patients' responses or find the right words for explanations. I learned from the conversations with my supervisor the importance of small talk in building rapport and understanding patients' needs. The exchange also exposed me to different optometric approaches between Hong Kong and Australia, such as using multifocal soft contact lenses and atropine drops, which are more common in Australia. I was able to learn a lot from supervisors and students in Australia, especially about having better communication with patients and knowing more about management that I rarely experienced.

I am grateful for this opportunity as it broadened my knowledge, improved my communication skills, and highlighted the importance of being a global citizen. I encourage students to be proactive and embrace challenges, as these experiences are uniquely rewarding and offer more learning opportunities than expected.