Service Learning Trip

Exploring Xinjiang: Service Learning Trip 探索新疆︰服務學習行

Program Schedule
7 - 16 Jul 2024
Xinjiang, China
Enquiry

Forrest Kwan (forrest.kwan@ust.hk)

UN Sustainable Development Goals
HKUST CONNECT SDG GOALS
HKUST CONNECT SDG GOALS
HKUST CONNECT SDG GOALS
Kids are playing paper airplane

新疆是中國最大的省份,位於中國西北的一個多民族自治區,與多個不同的中亞國家接壤,是歷史上「絲綢之路」貫穿亞歐貿易通道的重要地區。同時,新疆擁有壯麗的自然景觀和豐富的文化遺產。

新疆獨特的環境、氣候、文化和多元民族等因素,使其與中國其他已發展城市相比,部分地區的教育資源仍然相對不足。為了改善當地教育環境並提高教育水平,在新疆開設紡織業務多年的溢達集團,及其溢達楊元龍基金會,從十多年前開始為當地學生提供多元化的教育資源和服務。

今年暑假,科大侍學行再與溢達楊元龍基金會合作,首次舉辦前往新疆的服務學習項目。這個為期一個月的活動包括工作坊、小組籌備、前往當地進行支教和文化交流活動。你可以設計和製作有趣的課堂,為吐魯番市的9至11歲的學生提供一星期的互動學習體驗,進行跨文化交流,激發學生對學習的熱情,一同探索更廣闊的世界。

此外,我們還會參觀溢達集團在吐魯番的棉花加工廠以及烏魯木齊市新成立的「溢達創研村」。讓同學們了解一體化的供應鏈模式,並與聚焦於農業科技、紡織時尚和新能源發展領域的初創公司進行交流。

參加者可以:

  • 透過工作坊及教學活動了解當地不同民族學生的情況、面對的困難及需要
  • 透過設計及帶領不同主題的活動,讓小孩走出課室學習,激發孩子們的創新力
  • 透過自我反思豐富個人成長的經歷
  • 在學習服務行過程中及完成之後分享個人經驗,並在科大宣揚關愛的精神

Xinjiang, the largest province in China, is an autonomous region with a diverse ethnic population. It holds great historical significance as a part of the Silk Road and is known for its rich cultural heritage. However, certain areas in Xinjiang still face a relative lack of educational resources compared to other developed cities in China. To address this issue, the Esquel Group and its Esquel-Y.L. Yang Foundation have been providing diverse educational resources and services to local students for over a decade.

This summer, HKUST Connect is partnering with the foundation to organize a month-long service learning program in Xinjiang. We are now recruiting volunteers to join this summer program to design and teach interactive classes for 9-11-year-old students in Turpan City, fostering cross-cultural exchange and igniting a passion for learning.

We will also visit Esquel Group's cotton processing factory in Turpan and the newly established Esquel Innovation & Incubation Village in Urumqi, allowing students to experience the vertical integrated supply chain in the textile industry and the entrepreneurial platform that focuses on agricultural technology, fashion textile and new energy development with the science and innovation at the core.

You will be able to:

  • Understand the situations, 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
Turpan kids in summer learning camp
Turpan kids in summer learning camp
Turpan City, Xinjiang
Turpan City, Xinjiang
Volunteers teaches science topic
Volunteers teaches science topic
Interact with local students
Interact with local students
Visiting local families
Visiting local families
Program Highlights
  • Design and teach workshops at primary schools
  • Explore the science and technology innovation development in entrepreneurial setting
  • Experience the culture of different Chinese ethnic groups
  • Immerse yourself in a different lifestyle and embrace diversity
Program Schedule
Activity
Date
Time
Orientation and Team Building Day
17 Jun 2024 (Mon)
10:30 - 4pm
Workshop 1
19 Jun 2024 (Wed)
2 - 5pm
Sub Team Consultation 1
21 Jun 2024 (Fri)
2 - 5pm
Workshop 2
26 Jun 2024 (Wed)
2 - 5pm
Sub Team Consultation 2
28 Jun 2024 (Fri)
2 - 5pm
Workshop 3
3 Jul 2024 (Wed)
2 - 5pm
Xinjiang Service Learning Trip
7 - 16 Jul 2024
Program Fee

Fee: HK$9,600 (after 50% subsidy from DSTO)

(subject to final airfare availability)

  • Participants will be eligible for reimbursement of up to HK$2,400 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 flights to Urumqi, Xinjiang 
  • Local transportation
  • Accommodation (shared room)
  • Meals during program activities (exclude lunch on 7 July 2024)
  • Entry fees for visits included in the official program
  • Travel insurance

DOES NOT include:

  • Lunch on 7 July 2024
  • 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 be eligible to reimburse up to HK$2,400 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$1,920  
50-75% of grant HK$4,800  
<50% of grant HK$7,680  

(#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$2,400 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 8 - 10 April 2024. Shortlisted applicants will be notified via email.

Deadline:

  • Application closing date: 10 April 2024 (Wed)
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 unable 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 Xinjiang with the group. No separate travel will be entertained.
Additional Information on Collaborator in Xinjiang

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.