Partner Sites


Logo BusinessBecause - The business school voice
mobile search icon

Canadian Lawyer On The Chinese University of Hong Kong MBA

Xavier Arbour headed to business school to get a new perspective on corporate law

By  Harriet Murdoch

Tue Sep 13 2011

BusinessBecause
Xavier Arbour is a 25-year-old Canadian studying for his MBA at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Born and educated in Montreal, he had already completed law school, so why did he decide to do an MBA?


What did you study for your first degree?

I studied Law at the University of Montreal for my first degree.

Where were you working before CUHK?

I first started working for the Autorité des marchés financiers, the financial markets regulator for the province of Quebec, and then moved on to create my own firm in 2010.

How do you like Hong Kong? What are the differences between Hong Kong and Canada, professionally and socially?

I simply love Hong Kong! It is such a welcoming city. The main difference with Canada is that Hong Kong is more dynamic and fast-paced than Canada. Hong Kong has a more socially bustling environment than most Canadian cities.

What do you do in your free time?

Since I have only been in Hong Kong for a few weeks, in my free time, I am still, for the time being, discovering and learning about the city and its history. Otherwise, I very much enjoy travelling around Asia and experiencing different cultures.

Why have you decided to leave law?

The decision to enrol in CUHK’s MBA programme did not mean to me that I would never return to law. I view it more as a way to gain a different perspective to the legal profession, acquire a complementary skillset and approach law more from a corporate legal counsel viewpoint than as an attorney.

Which b-schools did you get offers from?

I got offers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, McGill University and HEC Montreal.

How did you first hear of CUHK’s MBA programme?

I first heard of CUHK’s MBA program through the GMATCH online fair during my research for suitable Asian business schools.

Why did you choose it? What appealed to you about school?

I chose CUHK for two main reasons. Firstly, it was one of the few schools where courses were taught in English but still had a strong Chinese flavour and exposure to the mainland. Secondly, this school offered me the opportunity to complete two degrees (an MBA and an MS) at world-renowned institutions through their dual-degree programs.

Did you get a scholarship?

Yes I did get an entrance scholarship.

How much is your previous work experience helping you on the MBA?

Coming from a rather non-traditional background for an MBA student, my previous work experience allows me to approach problems from a different angle than my colleagues and suggest innovative answers to challenging issues.

Are you involved in any extra-curricular activities at school?

I am currently involved in both the CUMBA Finance and Consulting Club as Director of Internal Communications and I am a candidate for Vice-President in the Student Association.

Do you already know what you'll be doing next year?

Next year, I will be nearing completion of my MBA on exchange and hopefully will have a job offer!

Where would you like to live and why?

I would like to live in one of Asia’s prominent cities, whether it’s Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, or Singapore, as it’ll allow me to directly partake in the effervescent rise and development of this part of Asia. Also, it will allow me to be closer to a part of my family currently residing in Shanghai.

And what would you like to do in 5 to 10 years? What are your professional goals?

In 5 to 10 years, I see myself in a mid-level managerial position in a legal or compliance department or in an M&A advisory role with good prospects for career progression in the company.

Student Reviews

CUHK MBA

Student

Verified

23/09/2022

Blended

One of a kind

I studied Bioinformatics at CUHK last year. It was the only Master's degree in Hong Kong in this field. This program developed my analytical skills and equipped me to be a Bioinformatician in a very practical way. I enjoyed my year here and met classmates from different parts of the world. If you are thinking to enhance your profile, this degree program would be a good option.

Student

Verified

19/11/2021

On Campus

general education courses, unique college system, large campus

The university facilitates multi-dimension and interdisciplinary learning. In social science faculty, we need to choose courses as our faculty package from other departments (architecture, psychology, sociology, etc.) to learn more than our major required courses. We are also required to finish general education courses, which aid our critical thinking and humanistic sensibilities. I do recommend the social science broad-based program, and the professors I met so far are all responsible and erudite.

Student

Verified

28/10/2017

LLM

The faculty of law is relatively new. You do not need to have a LLB to pursue a LLM, which is special. The taught programme is great for mature students who want to obtain legal knowledge. CUHK has good teaching staff too.

Student

Verified

20/10/2017

Amazing Campus and Great Educational Environment

Not only is CUHK's main campus breathtaking, it provides for a good educational environment for students. The university is well-equipped with modern and up-to-date facilities to help students with their study. We have 8 libraries in total around the campus; one for media, one for architectural studies, the medical library and the law library. The Professors are always helpful and are happy to talk to students when needed. Moreover, the college system within the university brings forth the uniqueness of CUHK. Each student belongs to a different college, and in that students are able to meet different peoples from different countries and students from different faculties. I think CUHK provides for a well-rounded university life for all students.

Student

Verified

17/10/2017

exthrillating

One of the most down to earth places in HK. A great opportunity to learn and embody the local culture. Also had one the most beautiful campus in Hong Kong up on the hillside. Glad to have graduated here.

Student

Verified

5/10/2017

Innovative and Supportive

My university provided me with all the support I needed, and encouraged me to be up to date with all the new developments in the world. They also provided me with the incentive to excel at what I do, and they take much pride in my achievements. I have had a very rewarding university experience.

Student

Verified

2/10/2017

Small, New But Friendly Law School

To being with, I think the campus of CUHK is the best and the biggest in Hong Kong, with fresh air and trees everywhere. I am an undergraduate Law student at CUHK and I think the teaching here is great, with very friendly and nice professors and the new Lee Shau Kee Building. In terms of the courses offered by CUHK, as one of the largest universities in Hong Kong, CUHK is an all-rounded university, offering a wide range of courses to students. Students may take the introductory courses of discipline other than their own major, or even declare a minor. For law electives, due to the small amount of intake, the variety of law electives are not that huge. However, the Faculty is offering some international programmes, which can be treated as law electives, but at the same time, provide us with an opportunity to travel and know more about the legal system of another country. The career support from the Faculty of Law is also amazing. The Faculty will organise CV Sessions and talks on how to get an internship from law firms or mini-pupillage from barrister's chambers. Each student will also have a Distinguished Professional Mentor, which is a current legal profession, providing us with practical advices and updates of the legal field. Finally, from my personal experience, I think the students in CUHK are friendly and genuine. As Law students, competition is inevitable for grades, GPAs, vacation schemes and training contract. However, I think the competition in CUHK Law School is a positive one, in a sense that help us grow together, instead of fighting with each other no matter what. That is the biggest reason why I am having a very good time here in CUHK Law School.

Student

Verified

30/09/2017

A place to explore your interests

As a law graduate from CUHK (both undergrad and post-grad), I realise that I had many opportunities to explore my areas of interests (legal and non-legal both). The faculty/university requires us to take a certain number of non-law electives, and offers a plethora of courses to choose from. Personally, I took 3 modules in Korean --I can't say it's made me highly proficient, but it's definitely given me a good foundation (I can walk into a Korean restaurant and confidently order food, at the very least). The fact that language courses are offered also provides students who are more financially constrained an opportunity to learn a language without having to shell out a premium for a decent language course. On top of that, we have a range of law electives as well. I know of classmates who have developed lasting interest in different areas of law because of the electives they took in school. The two electives that I would say have changed me is (i) mooting and (ii) family law. I think my experience in an international commercial arbitration moot competition has helped tremendously in formulating legal arguments and legal writing. On the other hand, taking a family law elective has made me very interested in the family law practice, especially in terms of child rights. For these experiences which I have gained, I'm grateful for the opportunities provided by the school. One main issue most students I know have is with the way our GPA is calculated and the lack of transparency in terms of how the honours system works. As our GPA is marked on a curve. it's highly unrepresentative of what we have achieved as individuals. Given that our GPA is the only criteria that is looked at when we apply for the compulsory post-graduate law course (mandatory should we want to practise law and/or be trainees in Hong Kong), it will put our own students at a distinct disadvantage when we compete for limited spaces with students from schools where GPA is not on a bell curve.

Student

Verified

27/06/2022

On Campus

Valuable time in CUHK

I like the learning environment and people at CUHK. Surrounded by hills and Tolo Harbour, CUHK provides a balance between nature and hustle. You can always escape from the busy study life and meet your friend around the big campus for different activities.

RECAPTHA :

52

d2

03

cf