During the summer of 2021, UIC launched its first on-campus summer programme for its students. In addition, students were provided opportunities for online overseas summer programmes, the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) summer programme, and Whole Person Education (WPE) summer programmes.
Online overseas summer programmes, communication via screens
Under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, lots of overseas universities and colleges turned summer programmes into online ones. International Development Office (IDO) of UIC launched overseas summer programmes with overseas partner universities, such as the University of Oxford (UK), Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), Yale University (US), ESADE Business School (Spain), the Catholic University of Lille (France), Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University (Russia).
Chen Yiming (Year 4)
The Yale University online summer program in 2021
Chen Yiming, who participated in a summer programme held in an American university in 2019, got admission to Yale University online summer programme.
According
to Yiming, it was the course titled Morality of Everyday Life that made him impressive. It shared similarities with ethical and philosophical courses in UIC. Also, he got lots of new insights from
Yale University students. At the same time, cultural shock inspired him to view things from various perspectives.
Chen Yiming's notes
Xie Simin (Year 3)
Summer programme of Catholic University of Lille, France
The Catholic University of Lille also held the summer programme online. While physical exchange experiences in France could not be conducted under the COVID-19 pandemic, students could have online cross-cultural communication with students and teachers from all around the world.
Xie Simin was one of the students of this programme, having the course International Teamwork & Communication. According to her, she accumulated many vivid and idiomatic oral expressions in the regular in-class discussions. Simin met classmates from China, the Philippines, India, Turkey, and other different countries. She often discussed each other's lives and cultures.
Xie Simin experienced diversity during classes
Yang Zixin (Year 4)
Summer programme of Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU), Russia
Yang Zixin, who registered in the course Doing e-Business in Russia, learnt about the differences in e-business between Russia and China while having theoretical and practical experiences guided by the course instructor. Throughout the programme, he received feedbacks and advanced suggestions from the professor. Moreover, during the two weeks spent with students and teachers from different parts of the world, he learned about commercial knowledge, relevant rules, and Russian culture and traditions.
e-business course in Russia
HKBU summer programme, most popular with UIC students
HKBU summer programme was held online under the pandemic. Student participants considered it as their 'third semester' of the 2020-2021 academic year.
Huang Xiaoyi (Year 4)
Huang Xiaoyi selected the course Business Numeracy. The heavy load of academic tasks required abilities of time management and flexibility in knowledge application. Then she realised her vast potential, which made her more confident for further academic life.
Huang Xiaoyi's group project and the individual assignments
Yang Wenyin (Year 3)
Yang Wenyin applied for a marketing course. She found the knowledge points logically explained by the professor. An advantage of this online programme for Wenyin was related to the videos recorded in class. She could review the videos on her own after class.
Yang Wenyin's learning notes
WPE summer programme
Aiming to cultivate students as a "Whole Person" equipped with various abilities, the Whole Person Education (WPE) Office of UIC organised various summer programmes for students. These activities include outdoor experience, volunteer services, and sport cultures.
Gong Yiru (Year 2)
Adream Coach Programme
Gong Yiru took part in a 15-day programme for in-depth development of quality education in Jiangxi Province, launched by the Adream Foundation. Delegates engaged in various work, from decorating the classroom to designing games for students, from instruments preparation to story sharing. Yiru explained that her most significant gain from the Whole Person Education was getting a chance to give back to society with what she learnt in the past, which was a whole new experience for her.
Gong Yiru in the Adream Coach Programme
Gong Sibei (Year 3)
Meditation programme in summer
Gong Sibei spent a nine-day traditional Chinese cultural experiencing during a Meditation programme held by the WPEO. With the Meditation self-cultivation, she gradually got rid of confusion and anxiety, feeling more peaceful to face the future.
Gong Sibei and other delegates visiting the Wuzu Temple in Hubei
Song Jiaxuan (Year 2)
The Silk Road programme
Song Jiaxuan, delegate of the Silk Road programme, appreciated landscapes of snow-capped mountains, sunset in the deserts, and the sky. She recalled that the thirteen days left her cherishing the memory of beautiful scenes on the trip and alongside her companions.
Song Jiaxuan visiting Qinghai Lake
Li Mao (Year 2)
Cultural experience programme in Tibet
Li Mao has started her trip to Tibet in a 13-person team led by UIC teachers since July. They had visited famous spots in Tibet, including the Basongtso and Namtso, the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, the Potala Palace, gaze upon the sacred Namcha Barwa. When arriving at the Lulang town, they visited the local Tibetans, appreciated their food, and experienced Tibetan life.
Students and staff visiting the Potala Palace in Lhasa
Ma Wei (graduate)
Equestrian pilot courses
It has been the third time when Ma Wei participated in the equestrian pilot courses. Although with challenges, the most meaningful aspects of equestrian, according to Ma Wei, were to learn by practice and gradually improve herself.
Group photo in the equestrian pilot course
From MPRO
Reporter: Du Jiewen
Editors: Samuel Burgess, Deen He, Covee Wang
