A memorable welcome and farewell for incoming exchange students

At Lingnan, we take pride in welcoming exchange students from around the world to our unique liberal arts education experience. They are first greeted by staff from the OGE, who assist them with the necessary registration procedures and provide important information about Hong Kong and campus life through orientation talks. Hostel associations and warden’s offices also hold welcoming sessions to make students aware of our rich hostel culture and the numerous activities on offer. The students can then get to know their fellow residents and become familiar with the resources available to them on campus.

On the orientation day, after a welcome lunch, the exchange students participate in the Hong Kong Cultural & Survival Cantonese class, where their new student buddies teach them basic greetings and introductions in Cantonese. Cultural excursions were arranged in 2023–24, and the students were shown various areas of Hong Kong, such as the Peak, the Hong Kong Palace Museum, and the Wetland Park.

Orientation session for incoming exchange students in Term 2 of 2023–24.

Welcome lunch for exchange students arriving in Term 1 of 2023–24.

Exchange students of Term 1 of 2023–24 visiting Stanley, one of the first villages to be established on Hong Kong Island.

Term 2 of 2023–24 exchange students visiting the Peak Tower with its viewing platform, which is an impressive 428 m above sea level.

As their exchange period draws to a close, the OGE holds a farewell reception for the students, so they can say goodbye to each other and to Lingnan. They revisit their happy memories with their new friends from around the world, and offer each other their heartfelt goodbyes. They also express their gratitude and appreciation to the Lingnan staff for their care and assistance, helping them to feel at home during their exchange visits.

These receptions and cultural trips are an important part of the exchange experience at Lingnan, as they provide a warm welcome and a fond farewell to the visiting students. We hope that these events leave a positive and lasting impression on our students and encourage them to stay connected to Lingnan and to each other, as they continue on their academic and personal journeys.