The explorer paving the way for a life in Asia

Ed Drew

Edward's story

"Hong Kong is my favourite city. I applied to study there because I know I want to live in Asia. 

"All of my modules were related to Hong Kong but, in one particularly amazing module, we visited new parts of the city and met different people. That’s how I came to do a research project on lesbian Filipino domestic workers. My mum is from the Philippines so I have a strong interest in the plight of domestic workers, and I’m gay, so I was interested in the LGBT dimension.


You can go anywhere as a tourist, but you only get one chance to live and study in another country. Study abroad enriched my life – I’m not the same person now as I was.” Edward Drew
Studied abroad at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

"I spoke to the Reverend of the Hong Kong chapter of the LGBT Catholic church, and then, through her, to lesbian domestic workers. Domestic workers are often open to abuse because they live with their employers. I found that LGBT migrants were mostly mobilised around migrants’ rights issues. But, along with the wider LGBT movement, they all contribute to the debate about liberal values in Hong Kong. 

"Sussex has presented so many opportunities. You can go anywhere as a tourist, but you only get one chance to live and study in another country. Study abroad enriched my life – I’m not the same person now as I was."

Find out more about Study Abroad.


Find a course