NTNU Honors College Team Visits Hong Kong for Exchange Program

Gaining Insights in Hong Kong, Traveling Thousands of Miles in a Day
To promote international perspectives and interdisciplinary collaboration among college students, a delegation from National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) visited five universities in Hong Kong from November 11 to November 14. The delegation was led by Dr. Joanna Liu, Director of the Center for Holistic Education under the Office of Student Affairs, and Counselor Hui-Fu Peng from the Extracurricular Activities Division, along with 11 members of the Honors College (Gongguan Student Affairs Division).The team visited The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, The Education University of Hong Kong, and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, engaging in enriching exchanges with their college systems.The most rewarding aspect of the trip was gaining a deeper understanding of the organizational structures and development of various residential colleges in Hong Kong. The delegation was particularly inspired by the emphasis on student autonomy in residential learning, which broadened their horizons and provided valuable insights for future development.

Diverse and Innovative Activities: Jockey Club Academy Hall – City University of Hong Kong–香港城市大學
City University of Hong Kong has a total of 11 residence halls, each managed by a team of wardens, international residential tutors, and student leaders. During this visit, the delegation toured Hall 4 – Jockey Club Academy Hall, where Professor Leung Chung Man shared insights into residential life.With a focus on diversity, personal development, and healthy living, the hall offers a variety of engaging activities. These include large-scale events such as the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration organized by the Student Residence Office, as well as student-initiated talent workshops.The delegation also had the opportunity to explore shared spaces within the residence, such as study rooms, discussion areas, student lounges, and laundry facilities. The visit facilitated meaningful exchanges between faculty and students from both institutions, providing valuable learning about the operation and community life within the residential halls.

High Table Dinner 
High Table Dinner Experience: Rixin College – The University of Hong Kong The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is home to four residential colleges. The university operates two accommodation systems: the long-established Halls and the Rixin College, which began operating under a residential system in 2012. Rixin College consists of 22 residential floors. The college is led by Master-Professor Amy Chow, senior resident tutors who are PhD students, as well as junior tutors and fellows. During this visit, the delegation had the privilege of attending the High Table Dinner at Rixin College. This event provided an opportunity to learn formal dining etiquette in a Western-style setting. The evening also featured impressive performances by Rixin College students, including a choral ensemble, solo singing, dance performances, and a Western-style band. In addition, Professor Amy Chow delivered an inspiring speech, urging students, "Do not underestimate yourself; everyone is an important part of the whole." The event also featured a guest speaker who shared insights on global education and environmental issues, offering an eye-opening experience for all attendees.

Unique College System: Shaw College and S.H. Ho College – The Chinese University of Hong Kong 
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) promotes a residential life model, where students can choose to join one of the nine colleges upon admission. On the second day of the Hong Kong visit, we went to Shaw College and S.H. Ho College. In the afternoon, Professor Morris Jong, the Student Affairs Director of Shaw College, along with faculty and students, gathered to share the college's activities, including the Student Development Programmes, Diversified General Education, and student-led events. S.H. Ho College, with the core philosophy of "home," invited Professor Li Dan, the Student Counseling Head, Mr. Lau Yi-Chi, the College Officer, and Mr. Chan Chuk-Yun, the College Manager, along with three Taiwanese students from the college, to discuss the Hong Kong college system, student autonomy, and the development of home culture. Additionally, three fifth-year students shared their personal experiences of life in a Hong Kong college, offering insights into the enriching experience. To enhance students’ oral presentation and communication skills, CUHK students Peng Yu-An and Lin Shi-Peng presented the history of the Whole Person Education College at Taiwan’s National Taiwan Normal University, discussing the college's activities and promoting the spirit of college education.

The Scenic Architecture of the Mountains and Sea: Hall IX – Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
On the final morning of the Hong Kong exchange program, we visited the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), located on a hillside. The view overlooking Clear Water Bay was breathtaking and calming. On this last morning of the exchange, we toured Hall IX, a student residence. Each floor is led by a PhD tutor, who is responsible for organizing student activities and providing care for the residents. On that day, HKUST students and four tutors gathered around to discuss dormitory management, the point system for dormitory residents, and plans for dormitory activities. We then visited the dormitory’s rooftop garden and the rooms. A unique feature of the dormitory is the presence of therapy dogs, which provide emotional comfort to students, offering a soothing break from their studies.

Multifunctional Learning Spaces: Moon Chun Memorial Library – The Education University of Hong Kong
Making the most of every moment during our Hong Kong trip, we visited The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) in the afternoon. The main focus of our visit was the university’s library facilities and spaces, including the STEM Room, Sound Booth learning spaces, and the Start-Up Hub, which is equipped with a recording studio and a VR experience room. These diverse learning areas offer students opportunities to showcase their talents. Additionally, there are future classroom environments designed to provide a reference for students’ teaching experiences. Throughout this Hong Kong exchange, we pushed ourselves physically and mentally, walking long distances and meeting new friends from Hong Kong. Through interactions with faculty and students at different universities, and participation in various activities, we gained insights into and experienced diverse college and dormitory life. We also explored various campus learning spaces, which stimulated innovative thinking and broadened our horizons. During this trip, we also visited the beautiful Mei Ho House and Hong Kong Science Park, where we learned about the local history, architectural style, and technological advancements in Hong Kong. Combining intellectual learning with cultural exploration enriched our understanding of Hong Kong. Through this exchange experience, we hope to develop more learning activities within the colleges, incorporating diverse and creative methods to further the tradition and culture of college education!

(Written by: Student Affairs Office, Whole Person College, Gongguan Campus)
NTNU News coverage of this exchange activity: