Carla Perret is a third-year French exchange student majoring in International Business and Finance with a minor in Art History at McGill University in Canada. As the first exchange student featured in this section, Carla shared her experiences of studying abroad, embracing diverse cultures, and deepening her love for the arts. Furthermore, she also introduced her award-winning entry, SmartShare, in the Green and Sustainable Innovation Ideas Competition of the College.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your background?

I grew up in Fontainebleau, a quiet town surrounded by nature just 30 minutes from Paris. My passion for travelling and exploring the world comes from my family. My sister had internships in London, my cousins live in the United States, and my grandparents live in Brazil.

When I was in high school, I decided to study abroad to improve my English. I spent a year living with a host family in New Jersey, USA. It was a really great experience that opened my mind to different cultures and gave me the confidence to continue pursuing my education abroad. During my time in the States, I visited McGill University for the first time, and I immediately fell in love with the campus, so I chose there for my further studies.

I chose CUHK because of its strong connection to the arts, which I’m passionate about. I even discovered that CUHK has an on-campus art museum! A friend who had studied here before told me amazing things about the campus, which motivated me to come here.

The fast-paced and energetic atmosphere of Hong Kong is something that Carla seeks.

Q: What’s your impression of Hong Kong, and how does it compare to your hometown?

This is my first time in Asia, so everything is new and exciting. Before coming here, I wanted to experience something completely different, something that would feel like a cultural shock. It’s crazy that I’ve fallen in love with the city within four months.

To me, Hong Kong is synonymous with diversity and dynamism. In just one week, I’ve gone hiking, been beach camping, attended horse races, and participated in art fairs like Art Basel and Art Central. The city is full of contrasts, and I love how it offers so many varied experiences. In fact, my time here inspired me to start a project called The Art Industry and Company, which is basically a LinkedIn profile where I share insights into the art market.

That said, moving from Fontainebleau to Hong Kong was definitely an adjustment. I grew up in a quiet town surrounded by nature, while Hong Kong is fast-paced and energetic. But that’s exactly what I was looking for—something completely different from home.

Carla appreciates the arrangement of housing exchange students and local students together, stating that it helps foster a genuine cultural exchange.

Q: What has your exchange experience in CUHK been like so far?

My experience has been incredible. Chung Chi has a beautiful campus nestled in the middle of nature and many outdoor activities are held here. Residence life at Lee Shu Pui Hall has been a big part of my time here. I’ve participated in events like cooking competitions and tug-of-war. I also love how exchange students and local students are housed together. This arrangement has helped create a real cultural exchange. One local student even asked about France because he’s planning to visit Lille this summer. Moments like that make me feel like I’m part of a genuine cultural exchange.

Q: At Chung Chi, why did you apply for the Green and Sustainable Innovation Ideas Competition? What inspired you to suggest the award-winning entry?

I believe sustainability is a collective responsibility. The goal of my proposed project SmartShare was to create an efficient, user-friendly solution to reduce food waste on campus. Specifically, I wonder, what if vending machines dispensed healthy food instead of snacks while also reducing waste?

While the residence hall raised awareness about sustainability, I noticed food was still being wasted in residents’ fridges. I wanted to tackle that issue directly. SmartShare is not only a machine but also a vision to build a sustainable community by involving applications, social media platforms and volunteer initiatives.

Tackling ecological issues requires teamwork rather than individual efforts—something I think Hong Kong sometimes overlooks by placing too much emphasis on individuality. Food waste is a challenge that everyone must work together to solve.

Q: What are your plans for the future?

I’m already considering returning to Hong Kong for an internship in December. I’m particularly interested in the art market and how businesses can support the arts through philanthropy. I’d love to work at an auction house like Christie’s or explore the private art collections of major banks.

Looking ahead, I see myself in Hong Kong, Paris, London, or New York—global hubs for the art market. For now, I’m focused on exploring as much as I can while I’m young and independent.

Student Reporter Leung Nga Wing