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

In January 2025, a team of 16 HKUST students, in collaboration with the Y.L. Yang Foundation, embarked on a transformative service learning trip to Guilin. This initiative provided volunteers with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the local community and engage meaningfully with local students.

Prior to their departure, volunteers participated in a series of workshops designed to deepen their understanding of Guilin's culture and the learning characteristics of its children. These sessions equipped them with design thinking skills, enabling them to create tailored learning experiences based on their strengths and interests. By tapping into the curiosity of Guilin's students, the volunteers crafted engaging activities and comprehensive teaching plans to ensure a seamless and captivating classroom experience.

After a three-hour high-speed train journey, volunteers arrived in a vibrant new environment filled with diverse cultures and languages. Over the course of three days, they led eight different classes covering a wide range of subjects, including chemistry, physics, time management, and global culture. Each session sparked the students' interest, encouraging them to explore various topics and fostering a desire for further learning. By the end of the camp, the students expressed their appreciation for the volunteers and voiced a longing for their return.

Although the volunteers spent only a few days in the lives of these children, the positive impact of their presence will resonate long after their departure. While immediate results may not be visible, every small act of kindness contributes to the children's growth and development. This experience also offered the volunteers a chance to reflect on the importance of living in the moment and recognizing how even small actions can create a lasting impact.