Wu Zhi Qiao (Bridge to China) Charitable Foundation (WZQ) has organized the first summer Experiential Learning Program (ELP) for students since 2018. WZQ ELP provides multi-disciplinary experiential learning opportunities to enable a holistic development of students through capacity building and service learning. The programme provides hands-on experience of living in the rural village for initiating social projects and understanding local culture and wisdom. It provides an invaluable and unique learning experience to young people. Currently over 100 university students have participated and completed the programme.
An architect student from the University of Hong Kong has expressed in a sharing session "After spending two weeks in the ELP in the countryside, I feel that I am more independent than before, and I have truly experienced the life in the rural areas of Mainland China. This is also the first time I have lived in the Mainland for such a long time." Another participant from the University of Hong Kong has expressed "I hope to stay at the villagers’ household next time to experience the local customs and to understand how they tackle with their daily difficulties in life."
Upon completion of the experiential learning programme, a group of students from the Lingnan University remarked "My biggest feeling is that the villagers are very welcoming and enthusiastic about our visit. The most impressive part is how volunteers from Hong Kong and Mainland China communicate and understand with each other. In addition, I am very impressed by the waste management and disposal system in Macha village. I have also learnt a new way of washing dishes by the use of wheat bran, which turns out to be very efficient in cleaning dishes and can save a lot of water so as to enhance environmental protection.”
Objectives of ELP are:
II. Description
It will involve pre-trip planning and onsite project execution/delivery. The programme will cover a wide range of areas for sustainability development and betterment of the community concerned.
III. Learning Outcomes
Upon completing, participants will be able to: