The Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) organised a Greater Bay Area (GBA) study tour for students from the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Applied Ageing Studies and Service Management (AASSM) programme from 7 to 10 January 2025. A total of 23 students from the programme participated in this enriching learning experience. Dr Xinxin CAI, Research Assistant Professor of APSS, and Ms Minyuan LI, Project Associate of the Research Centre for Gerontology and Family Studies, led the study tour to Zhuhai, Foshan, and Guangzhou.
The study tour aimed to enhance students' understanding of cross-boundary eldercare policies in the GBA and prepare them for future internships and career development through experiential learning. Students visited the Hengqin Comprehensive Service Centre of the Guangdong Office of the Macao Neighbourhood Association Federation (澳門街坊會聯合總會廣東辦事處橫琴綜合服務中心), a cross-boundary community service centre; Chang Xiang Hui nursing home in Foshan (佛山市暢享薈養老院有限公司), a residential care home for the elderly participating in the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong; Yuexiu Yueluju (廣州越秀悅麓居), a continuing care retirement community; and Yuexiu Haiyiyuan (廣州越秀海頤苑), a high-end urban elderly care complex.
Students designed and prepared activities as well as interacted with older adults during the process, which was well-received. The tour provided students with invaluable exposure to diverse real-world eldercare practices, fostered their adaptability in professional settings, and deepened their understanding of cross-boundary eldercare policies and services.
In addition to the service-related field trips, the tour included visits to several historical and cultural sites included in the One-Belt-One-Road initiative, enriching students' understanding of the region’s cultural heritage. The students had a fruitful tour, gaining both professional insights and cultural knowledge that will benefit their future development.
The study tour aimed to enhance students' understanding of cross-boundary eldercare policies in the GBA and prepare them for future internships and career development through experiential learning. Students visited the Hengqin Comprehensive Service Centre of the Guangdong Office of the Macao Neighbourhood Association Federation (澳門街坊會聯合總會廣東辦事處橫琴綜合服務中心), a cross-boundary community service centre; Chang Xiang Hui nursing home in Foshan (佛山市暢享薈養老院有限公司), a residential care home for the elderly participating in the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong; Yuexiu Yueluju (廣州越秀悅麓居), a continuing care retirement community; and Yuexiu Haiyiyuan (廣州越秀海頤苑), a high-end urban elderly care complex.
Students designed and prepared activities as well as interacted with older adults during the process, which was well-received. The tour provided students with invaluable exposure to diverse real-world eldercare practices, fostered their adaptability in professional settings, and deepened their understanding of cross-boundary eldercare policies and services.
In addition to the service-related field trips, the tour included visits to several historical and cultural sites included in the One-Belt-One-Road initiative, enriching students' understanding of the region’s cultural heritage. The students had a fruitful tour, gaining both professional insights and cultural knowledge that will benefit their future development.
