This academic year, the CUHK family has joyfully welcomed a large group of undergraduate non-local students! The Learning and Cultural Enhancement Section (LCES) of the Office of Student Affairs organized a series of orientation and cultural activities to greet and support these newcomers as they embark on their exciting academic journey at CUHK.
Among these activities were the Multicultural Fun Day, Meet-and-Greet Days, Group Intake Sessions, the Chinese Culture Immersion Programme, and various activities hosted by the International Cultural Ambassadors. It has been heartening to witness how warmly these students have acclimated to their new learning environment, embracing the rich tapestry of cultures that define our university atmosphere.
Multicultural Fun Day and Meet-and-Greet Days
In August, two large-scale orientation activities, namely Multicultural Fun Day and Meet-and-Greet Days, were organized to welcome the newly arrived non-local freshmen. These events were designed to help them adjust to life at CUHK, make new friends, meet senior peers, and embrace cultural diversity.
Multicultural Fun Day offered interactive diversity and inclusion activities and a welcoming dinner for the freshmen to navigate the challenges and opportunities of studying in a multicultural community. Meanwhile, the student-led Meet-and-Greet Days, co-organized by the International Student Association (ISA) and the Mainland Undergraduate Association (MUA), provided a platform for over 500 freshmen to meet and mingle with new friends and receive valuable tips from senior students as they embarked on their academic journey.
Group Intake Sessions
The Learning Enhancement Officers (LEOs) invited non-local freshmen to Group Intake Sessions to understand their adjustment to the new learning environment. Since the third week of the new academic year, a total of 36 group intake sessions have been conducted, reaching nearly 550 non-local freshmen. The sessions provided an opportunity for students to connect with each other and LEOs, sharing tips to better adjust. For those who attended the sessions on the Mid-Autumn Festival Day, they even had the chance to celebrate this traditional Chinese festival with fellow students and enjoy delicious mooncakes!
Chinese Culture Immersion Programme
The Chinese Culture Immersion Programme is a new initiative designed to provide students with immersive and hands-on experiences to explore and appreciate the richness of traditional Chinese culture, particularly meaningful for non-local students. This initiative is divided into two parts: do-it-yourself (DIY) experiential activities and local tours. Since the start of the new academic year, we have organized a DIY food miniature workshop, a guided tour, and a recycled denim coaster workshop at The Mills, as well as a Hong Kong-style milk tea workshop, all of which received positive feedback from participants. Exciting activities are still to come, including a tour of Tsz Shan Monastery, a shadow puppet performance, a traditional tea ceremony, and more.
Activities Organized by the International Cultural Ambassadors
The International Cultural Ambassadors (ICAs) are a group of passionate students committed to promoting internationalization on campus. By organizing a wide array of cultural activities, they play a vital role in creating a vibrant and inclusive campus community. This semester, the ICAs have organized exciting events such as a Korean Dessert Workshop and a Japanese Cultural Night, allowing local and non-local students to bond over cultural food. There was also a Cyanotype Printing Workshop where participants appreciated culture through art creation. More thrilling events, including a Diwali Celebration, Qipao Experience, and African Drum Workshop, will be rolled out soon!
To all our non-local students, we extend a warm welcome once more. Let us continue to cherish and celebrate the diverse cultural tapestry that each of you brings to enrich the vibrant community at CUHK. May your academic journey here be marked by growth, discovery, and unforgettable experiences that shape your path toward success.
