Impact Stories

Broadening global horizon

Students gain life-changing experience and contribute back to society

Overseas exchanges can be life-changing, as they give students opportunities to develop many valuable professional, personal and life skills. PolyU is partnered with universities and institutions across 30 different countries and regions to offer international exchange programmes for students to study in an environment outside their familiar cultural context. Studying abroad helps students develop the life skills needed to adapt to rapid changes in the global environment, improve their self-confidence, broaden their global outlook, learn the skills necessary to study and live in a different culture, improve their language skills and increase their personal competitiveness.

Among the many exchange programmes on offer, some benefit directly from the generosity of private donors. Scholarships from the Kwok Scholars Association are a case in point.

The late Dr Walter Kwok Ping-sheung, former Chairman of the Kwok Scholars Association once said,

_{It is exciting and rewarding to be able to support outstanding students from Hong Kong and mainland China to pursue studies at some of the world’s great universities.}

With the support of the Kwok Hospitality Awards, SHTM students who excel in both academic and non-academic pursuits can study for a semester at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration in the United States. “In offering students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”, explained Dr Kwok, “I also hope that once they come back home, they will make the most of their education to identify opportunities and address some of the challenges that Hong Kong and China are facing”.

“During my study at the Cornell University, the most remarkable learning experience I gained was at the Hotel Ezra Cornell,” recalled Agnes Chan, a Kwok Hospitality Award recipient. Chan was involved in organising a weekend-long business conference with other students which comprised a series of educational seminars and networking activities.

_{I was impressed by how students were able to lead, run and drive this huge event, and engage in thought-provoking exchanges with academia and industry professionals from around the globe. It was truly an eye-opening experience!}

Kwok Hospitality Award recipient

Agnes Chan

PolyU works constantly to enhance students’ learning experience, and your generous support enables us to develop exceptional talent for a globalised world. If you are interested in supporting our efforts to cultivate a new generation of versatile and well-equipped leaders, please click here.

_{Publishing date: December 2019}