【Issue123】David Lim

Born in South Korea, David Lim (22/NA/Hospitality and Real Estate) moved to Shanghai during his childhood and later pursued his studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). His upbringing spanned multiple regions across Asia, allowing him to experience diverse cultures. After graduating from CUHK, he chose to return to South Korea, where he currently works as a Sales Executive at the JW Marriott Hotel Seoul. This year, he was appointed as a “Global Alumni Ambassador” by the CUHK Business School.

Pursuing the Dream of Hotel Management: Choosing CUHK as the Starting Point

Born in South Korea, David Lim moved to Shanghai with his family at the age of 8. He first attended a Korean school in Shanghai before transferring to an international school. He said, “Most of my high school classmates were from Europe and America, with a small number from China. This environment allowed me to become accustomed to interacting with people from diverse cultural backgrounds from an early age, while also honing my language and communication skills. These experiences influenced my future career planning. By the age of 18, I had already decided to pursue a career in the hotel industry, as hotel work demands strong communication skills and the ability to think on one’s feet, precisely the skills I had gradually mastered in a multicultural setting.”

After graduating from high school, David could have chosen to remain in Shanghai or pursue further studies in a Western country, but he opted to continue his education in Hong Kong. He said, “Hong Kong is a multicultural international financial hub with numerous luxury hotels. I wanted to learn about the operational models of these hotels. Additionally, I didn’t want to be too far from my family; my father still works in Shanghai, and my mother is in Korea. Hong Kong is close to both places.” In the end, he received offers from both the Hospitality and Real Estate (HRE) programme at CUHK and a business programme at another university. He chose CUHK, “I wanted to major specifically in hotel management, not just general business. CUHK’s HRE programme is part of the Business School and is highly unique in Asia. It allows me to gain specialized knowledge in hospitality while also developing a business perspective.”

Remembering the Life in Triple Room Dormitory

In his early days in Hong Kong, David said the biggest challenge was hostel life. “University hostels in Korea usually have private bathrooms, but at CUHK’s New Asia College, it was a triple room where we had to share facilities. It reminded me of the collective living during my military service in Korea. One of my roommates was from Africa, and the other was a local Hong Kong student. Our cultural differences were significant, but through deep conversations, we became close friends. Besides, one of my most unforgettable memories is the nights spent drinking beer and chatting with friends at the Pavilion of Harmony.”

Typhoons became another memorable part of David’s experience in Hong Kong. He recalled, “Typhoons are rare in Korea. I remember once when a typhoon hit Hong Kong, campus buses stopped running, and I had to walk 30 minutes downhill from the mountain to my internship at the Hyatt Regency in Sha Tin. During the storm, the hotel allowed employees to stay overnight in guest rooms free of charge, something that would be unthinkable in Korea.” When it came to food, he developed a love for Hong Kong cuisine, such as siu mai and extra-spicy Yunnan rice noodles. He also enjoyed trips to Cheung Chau with friends to have curry fish balls. As a Catholic, he often visited the Korean Catholic church in Sheung Wan, where he found a strong sense of belonging.

Appointed Global Alumni Ambassador, Grateful for the Distinguished Mentors at CUHK

David noted that the HRE programme at CUHK was both comprehensive and practical, with the close relationship between the faculty and the Hyatt Regency Sha Tin being a significant advantage. He expressed gratitude to Prof. Gentiana Cheung, the Programme Director of the Hospitality and Real Estate Programme, and Ms. Cynthia Wong, the Manager of Career Services in the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, for their guidance. “I first gained frontline experience in the concierge department at the Hyatt Regency Sha Tin, then interned in the sales and marketing division at the W Hotel. The latter experience truly helped me confirm my career direction,” he shared. “Hotel sales is an extremely challenging department. You must have a thorough understanding of every aspect of the hotel, from guest rooms and dining to banquet venues. Moreover, sales requires strong negotiation skills and internal coordination abilities to strike a balance between meeting clients’ expectations and ensuring hotel profitability. Throughout this process, I was able to apply both the soft and hard skills I acquired during my studies.”

In July of this year, David was appointed as a “Global Alumni Ambassador” by the CUHK Business School. He is now actively organizing regular gatherings for alumni in Korea, creating a platform for them to share their career progress and stories related to CUHK. He also hopes to leverage his professional network to invite guests from various industries to alumni events, further enriching the diversity and connections within the alumni community.

Hong Kong Offers Immense Freedom: Life is Simply Different

Reflecting on his life in Hong Kong, David fondly remembers the night view of Victoria Harbor and the carefree moments spent with friends. He recalled, “It wasn’t just the freedom of being a student, it was the ability to engage with the world in English and Mandarin. Hong Kong made me feel incredibly free. Even the same drink tasted different there. I will definitely return, perhaps to further my career in the hospitality industry.”

After graduating in 2022, David decided to return to South Korea, which he had left fifteen years earlier. He shared, “I was homesick, that was the main reason. I was raised by my grandmother and missed her deeply. Additionally, the cost of living in Hong Kong was too high, especially rent and car prices.”

Transitioning into the hotel industry in Korea, David had to readjust to the Korean workplace culture. He said, “In the Korean workplace, every matter must be reported step by step through the hierarchy, and team cohesion is prioritized above all else. This differs greatly from Western cultures that emphasize individualism. I learned how to maintain collectivism within a team, to listen carefully, and to consider the group’s perspective. It was challenging, but also a growth opportunity.”

Published on CU Alumni Magazine Issue 123 by Alumni Affairs Office 2025

Read online: CU Alumni Magazine Issue 123 (Chinese Version Only)
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