Service Learning Trip

Guilin Service Learning Trip 桂林服務學習之旅 (Jan 2025)

Program Schedule
17 - 22 Jan 2025
Whole Day
Guilin, China
Enquiry

Forrest Kwan (forrest.kwan@ust.hk)

UN Sustainable Development Goals
HKUST CONNECT SDG GOALS
HKUST CONNECT SDG GOALS

桂林位於廣西壯族自治區,以「桂林山水甲天下」享譽全國,擁有豐富的自然資源。隨著經濟發展,各種工業和服務業在桂林設廠,創造了大量就業機會,吸引了眾多農民工進城工作。為了照顧子女,他們常常全家搬入城市生活。

然而,由於缺乏當地戶籍,這些農民工子女只能進入私立小學。楊元龍基金會了解到這一點,決定支持專收農民工子女的私立小學,提供更全面的教育。基金會希望通過實地教學,向學生傳遞可持續發展的理念,培養他們的環保意識。為了實踐這一理念,科大侍學行將於2025年1月與基金會再次合作舉辦學習營,激發小學生對創新和環保的關注,共創可持續未來。

我們現正招募義工參加桂林服務學習之旅,為來自桂林市建安小學約一百名9至11歲的學生舉辦三天的互動課堂,以趣味的方式傳遞新知識,激發他們的學習熱情,並讓他們了解更廣闊的世界。我們還將參觀由溢達集團成立的桂林市「十如──溢達可持續發展園林」,該園林旨在實踐可持續生產模式並推動企業智能化轉型,讓學生親身體驗製造業如何與大自然和諧共存。

參加者將有機會:

  • 藉著工作坊和教學活動了解當地兒童的情況、面臨的困難及需求
  • 設計並帶領不同主題的活動,讓孩子們走出課室學習,激發他們的創新力
  • 透過自我反思和個人成長來豐富自己的經歷
  • 在服務學習之旅中分享個人經驗,並在科大宣揚關愛的精神

Since 2007, the Y.L. Yang Foundation has implemented learning camps in rural areas in China, providing opportunities for primary school students to learn and receive tutoring. The initiative integrates talents, resources, and education to enhance local educational infrastructure and promote the development of future generations. In January 2025, HKUST Connect will collaborate with the foundation to organize a learning camp for students in Jian-An Primary School, located in Guilin city. During the trip, volunteers will organize a variety of workshops to stimulate students' interest in innovation and environmental protection, collectively creating a sustainable future.

We are currently recruiting volunteers for the service trip to teach approximately 100 P4-P5 students, for a 3-days program. You will deliver new knowledge through enjoyable and interactive classrooms, stimulate students' enthusiasm for learning, and broaden your understanding of the world.

You will be able to:

  • Understand the circumstances, challenges, and needs of local children through workshops and teaching activities
  • Foster children's innovation by designing and leading various themed activities that encourage learning beyond the classroom
  • Accelerate personal growth through self-reflection
  • Share your experiences during and after the service trip to spread a caring message within the HKUST campus
Volunteers were satisfied with their teaching experience
Volunteers were satisfied with their teaching experience
Volunteers teaching in an interactive way
Volunteers teaching in an interactive way
Volunteers visiting the Sustainable Development Garden—Integral
Volunteers visit the sustainable development garden—Integral
Students having fun with their science experiment
Students having fun with their science experiment
Program Highlights
  • Design and teach workshops at primary schools
  • Take part in hands-on activities at a sustainable development garden—Integral
  • Experience the culture of different Chinese ethnic groups
  • Immerse yourself in a different lifestyle and embrace diversity
Program Schedule
Activity
Date
Time
Workshop 1
28 Oct 2024 (Mon)
6:30 - 8:30pm
Workshop 2
4 Nov 2024 (Mon)
6:30 - 8:30pm
Workshop 3
25 Nov 2024 (Mon)
6:30 - 8:30pm
Workshop 4
13 Jan 2025 (Mon)
2 - 5pm
Sub-team Preparation Meetings & Tasks
Nov 2024 - Jan 2025
Suggest each sub-team meeting weekly or biweekly, based on progress and availability
Sub-team Consultation Meeting 1
6 - 18 Nov 2024
Approx. 1 hour for each session, actual date & time is subject to the availability of each sub-team
Sub-team Consultation Meeting 2
30 Dec 2024- 7 Jan 2025
Approx. 1 hour for each session, actual date & time is subject to the availability of each sub-team
Guilin Service Learning Trip
17 - 22 Jan 2025
Program Fee

Fee: HK$3,400 (Actual cost is $6,800. 50% subsidy is provided by DSTO)

  • Participants will be eligible for reimbursement of up to HK$1,200 subsidy upon satisfactory completion of the entire service program.

  • There are also other subsidies available for application.  Please refer to the "Subsidies" section for more details. 

Includes:

  • Round-trip rail transportation to Guilin
  • Local transportation
  • Accommodation (shared house)
  • Meals during program activities (exclude lunch on 17 and 22 January 2025)
  • Entry fees for visits included in the official program
  • Travel insurance

DOES NOT include:

  • Lunch on 17 and 22 January 2025
  • Personal expenses and expenses outside the official program
  • Travel document/visa application (if applicable) 
  • Additional travel and medical insurance
Subsidies

1) All participants
 

1A) Subsidy for trip participants (No application needed)

Participants will be eligible to reimburse up to HK$1,200 subsidy upon satisfactory completion of the entire service program (#1).

1B) Connect Overseas Learning Experience Sponsorship Scheme (OLESS) (Details)

Students with financial need may apply for the Scheme to receive a subsidy to cover part of the program fee on a reimbursement basis. Apply for OLESS here.

2) Recipients of Tertiary Student Finance Scheme (TSFS) government grant & loan


2A) Pre-approval of Connect OLESS (Present “Notification of Result” of TSFS during interview)

To alleviate the financial burden on government grant and loan recipients who are required to pay the full program fee upfront, TSFS Grant recipients can obtain pre-approval for the Scheme and only need to pay the remaining portion of the program fee:

TSFS grant awarded Fee payable
>75% of grant HK$680
50-75% of grant HK$1,700
<50% of grant HK$2,550

(#1) Satisfactory completion of the entire service program includes attendance, high level of engagement in group preparation tasks, workshops and during the trip, and submission of a reflection report. Connect OLESS recipients may receive the difference between HK$1,200 and the Scheme subsidy being granted.

Requirements

Basic Putonghua is preferred. Limited quota is available for non-Chinese speaking students with at least 30 hours of prior Putonghua lessons or equivalent to apply, subject to availability of translation buddy.

Application & Deadline

Application

  • Please complete the online registration form.
  • Interviews will be held on 15 - 17 October 2024. Shortlisted applicants will be notified via email.

Deadline:

  • Application closing date: 13 October 2024 (Mon)
Important Notes
  • To ensure the quality of the service activities and a positive team experience, students are expected to attend ALL pre-trip activities (workshops and consultation meetings), and will be given priority over those who are able to commit to full attendance. Request for absence due to academic course-related examinations will be considered on a case by case basis. The organizer reserves the right to terminate the participation for any student who fail to meet the above requirements, and the program fee will not be refunded.
  • Participants are required to travel to and from Guilin with the group. No separate travel will be entertained.
Additional Information on Collaborator in Guilin

Y.L. Yang Foundation (https://www.ylyangfoundation.org/)

With the mission of “Making a difference. Empowering a sustainable future”, Y.L. Yang Foundation was founded in 2003, committed to providing charitable programs in innovative learning, sustainability education and child health for underprivileged children in various parts of China, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The foundation have helped over 200,000 children, hoping that the children may grow into responsible and successful members of their communities.