Service Learning Trip

Indonesia Service Learning Trip (Jan 2026)

Program Schedule
5 - 13 Jan 2026
Bali, Indonesia
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Apply by 07 Oct 2025 11:59pm
Enquiry

Forrest Kwan (forrest.kwan@ust.hk)

UN Sustainable Development Goals
HKUST CONNECT SDG GOALS
HKUST CONNECT SDG GOALS
HKUST CONNECT SDG GOALS
Indonesia Service Learning Trip (Jan 2026)

Bali is world-renowned for its breathtaking scenery and vibrant culture. But beyond the tourist attractions, many local communities face real challenges such as educational inequality, poverty, and limited opportunities for youngsters and people with physical disabilities—especially in underserved rural areas. To address these needs, HKUST Connect, in partnership with Volunteers in Asia (VIA), is launching our first Service Learning Trip to Indonesia in January 2026.

On this service trip, you will have the opportunity to make a genuine difference—supporting children and youth in rural areas through the Suwandi Foundation, and empowering individuals with physical disabilities at Cahaya Mutiara Ubud. This experience goes far beyond sightseeing; it’s about connecting deeply with the local community and contributing to meaningful change.

As a participant, you will:

  • Inspire Indonesian children and youth in remote areas through workshops and interactive activities
  • Help individuals with physical disabilities build valuable skills for greater independence and quality of life
  • Engage in cultural activities to gain a deeper understanding of Indonesia
  • Accelerate personal growth through reflection and service
  • Share your experiences to promote care and empathy within the HKUST community

If you're interested in joining the trip as a member of the Organizing Committee, please refer to this page for more details. 

Join us on this transformative journey—not as a tourist, but as someone committed to creating positive change.

Program Highlights
  • Design and teach workshops for children and youth from underserved regions
  • Help individuals with physical disabilities build valuable skills for greater independence and quality of life
  • Engage in cultural activities to gain a deeper understanding of Indonesia
  • Immerse yourself in a different lifestyle and embrace diversity
Program Schedule
Activity (Note 1)
Date
Time
Workshop 1
22 Oct 2025 (Wed)
6:15 - 8:15pm
Workshop 2
12 Nov 2025 (Wed)
6:15 - 8:15pm
Workshop 3
26 Nov 2025 (Wed)
6:15 - 8:15pm
Workshop 4
2 Jan 2026 (Fri)
10am - 1pm
Sub-team Preparation Meetings & Tasks
Oct 2025 - Jan 2026
Suggest each sub-team meeting weekly or biweekly, based on progress and availability
Sub-team Consultation Meeting (in person)
17 - 19 Nov 2025
Approx. 1 hour for each session, actual date & time is subject to the availability of each sub-team
Sub-team Consultation Meeting (in person)
29 - 31 Dec 2025 (Tentative)
Approx. 1 hour for each session, actual date & time is subject to the availability of each sub-team
Indonesia Service Learning Trip
5 - 13 Jan 2026
Description

Note 1:
To ensure the quality of service activities and to foster a positive team experience, students are expected to attend ALL pre-trip activities, including workshops and consultation meetings. Priority will be given to those who can commit to full attendance. Requests 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 of any student who fails to meet the above requirements, and the program fee will not be refunded.

Program Fee

HK$8,800  (Actual cost is HK$10,500, 16% subsidy provided by DSTO)

  • Participants will receive a subsidy of up to HK$2,200 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 flights to Bali 
  • Local transportation
  • Accommodation
  • Meals during program activities 
  • Entry fees for visits included in the official program
  • Travel insurance

Does NOT include:

  • Personal expenses and expenses outside the official program
  • Travel document/visa application
  • Additional travel and medical insurance
Subsidies

1) All participants
 

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

Participants will receive a subsidy up to HK$2,200 upon satisfactory completion of the entire service program. (Note 2)

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 Connect OLESS here by 12 Oct.

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


Pre-approval of Connect OLESS (Submit “Notification of Result” of TSFS in OLESS online application)

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$1,760
50-75% of grant HK$4,400
<50% of grant HK$6,600

Please follow the procedure to submit an OLESS application by 12 Oct.


Note 2:
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. The amount of subsidy received by OLESS recipients will be prorated based on the program fee paid. The total amount of subsidy received should not exceed 80% of the program fee.

Application & Deadline

Application

  • Please complete the online registration form.
  • Interviews will be held 13-15 Oct 2025. Shortlisted applicants will be notified via email.

Deadline: 7 October 2025 (Tue)

 

Remarks: Participants are required to travel to and from Indonesia with the group. No separate travel will be entertained.

Additional Information on Collaborator in Indonesia

VIA (https://viaprograms.org/)

VIA began in 1963 when then Dean of Freshman Men at Stanford University, Dwight Clark, organized a summer volunteer project with Stanford students serving refugees in Hong Kong. The summer reshaped many of these students’ personal and professional goals. They so valued the benefits of their cross-cultural experience that they recruited others for similar projects. In 1966, these programs were incorporated under the name “Volunteers in Asia” as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization.

Today, VIA offers a wide range of cultural exchanges, professional training, internships, and fellowships throughout Asia and Silicon Valley. By fostering curiosity, humility, and compassion, VIA empowers people to tackle pressing social challenges.