Service Learning Trip

Guilin Service Learning Trip 桂林服務學習之旅 (Jan 2026)

Program Schedule
26 - 31 Jan 2026
Guilin, China
Sign Up Now
Apply by 07 Oct 2025 11:59pm
Enquiry

Serene Liu (serene.liu@ust.hk)

UN Sustainable Development Goals
HKUST CONNECT SDG GOALS
HKUST CONNECT SDG GOALS
students and volunteers in front of the school building

桂林位於廣西壯族自治區,以「桂林山水甲天下」而享譽全國,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立工廠,創造了大量就業機會,吸引了眾多農民工進城工作,並舉家搬入城市以便照顧子女。

然而,缺乏當地戶籍的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,決定支持專門收納農民工子女的私立小學,以提供更全面的教育。基金會希望通過實地教學,傳遞可持續發展的理念,並培養學生的環保意識。科大侍學行將繼續與基金會合作,共同實踐這些理念,於2026年1月舉辦第三次桂林服務學習之旅,為當地小學生安排多樣的工作坊,激發他們對創新和環保的關注。

我們現招募義工,為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。同時,我們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

如果你同樣關心可持續發展和兒童教育,誠邀你參加「桂林服務學習之旅」。這是一次難得的機會,讓我們共同為當地小學生帶來新的知識和體驗,並推動可持續發展的理念。期待你的加入!

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. HKUST Connect will continue to collaborate with the foundation to organize the third learning camp in January 2026 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-day 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

Join us for the "Guilin Service Learning Journey" and help bring new knowledge to local students while promoting sustainable development! Apply now!

Volunteers had a very satisfied teaching experience.
Volunteers had a very satisfied teaching experience.
The primary school students were very engaged in the interactive activities.
The primary school students were very engaged in the interactive activities.
The primary school students were very happy with the products that they created with our HKUST volunteers.
The primary school students were very happy with the products that they created with our HKUST volunteers.
Our HKUST volunteers had a very fun day exploring Guilin.
Our HKUST volunteers had a very fun day exploring Guilin.
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 (Note 1)
Date
Time
Workshop 1
28 Oct 2025 (Tue)
6:30 - 8:30pm
Workshop 2
11 Nov 2025 (Tue)
6:30 - 8:30pm
Workshop 3
30 Dec 2025 (Tue)
6:30 - 8:30pm
Workshop 4
20 Jan 2026 (Tue)
2 - 5pm
Sub-team Preparation Meetings & Tasks
Nov 2025 - Jan 2026
Suggest each sub-team meeting weekly or biweekly, based on progress and availability
Sub-team Consultation Meeting 1
18 - 22 Nov 2025
Approx. 1 hour for each session, actual date & time is subject to the availability of each sub-team
Sub-team Consultation Meeting 2
5 - 7 Jan 2026
Approx. 1 hour for each session, actual date & time is subject to the availability of each sub-team
Guilin Service Learning Trip
26 - 31 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$3,600 (Actual cost is $5,200, 30% subsidy provided by DSTO)

  • Participants will receive a subsidy of up to HK$1,200 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 rail transportation to Guilin
  • Local transportation
  • Accommodation (shared apartment)
  • Meals during program activities (exclude meals on train)
  • Entry fees for visits included in the official program
  • Travel insurance

DOES NOT include:

  • Lunch on the train for 26 and 31 January 2026
  • 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 receive a subsidy of up to HK$1,200 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 OLESS here by 12 Oct.

2) Recipients of 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$800
50-75% of grant HK$2,000
<50% of grant HK$3,000

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 on 13 - 15 October 2025. Shortlisted applicants will be notified via email.

Deadline:

  • Application closing date: 7 October 2025 (Tue).

Remarks:

  • Participants are required to travel to and from Guilin with the group. No separate travel will be entertained.
  • 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.
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.