School of Continuing and Professional Studies The Chinese University of Hong Kong eNewsletter

Nothing is better than learning from experience. In order to help our students gain work experience as well as serving the community, CUSCS, in collaboration with St. James' Settlement and VISA Hong Kong, launched the "Serve with a Purpose" Programme (SWAP) for the second year.

Twenty Higher Diploma students have been selected and assigned to different service units of St. James' Settlement to provide 150 hours of voluntary service. Upon completion of the service, each student will receive HK$10,000 as tuition support.

Eva Choi, a student of the Higher Diploma Programme in Human Nutrition who joined the SWAP programme last year, shared her experience at the Kick-off Ceremony held on 9 November, 2013. "I was assigned to serve in a youth centre in Chai Wan which I assisted the social worker to plan, organise and implement service programmes for teenagers. It was a wonderful and valuable experience." she said. The programme also boosted her confidence in expressing ideas and opinions, which is definitely beneficial to her personal growth.

Apart from the SWAP Programme, CUSCS encourages students to seize every opportunity to serve and to learn. Ken Tsang and Zoe Chow, students of Higher Diploma Programme in Recreation and Leisure Management, served as assistants in the roller skating classes offered at the Link Community Sports Academy in October and November, 2013. "Our students were kids aged below 12. Not only have I learnt how to run a sports course, but also how to teach and communicate with kids," Zoe said. She was subsequently invited to enroll in a training course to be a trainer in roller skating. "I will further explore opportunities in this field, but no matter I will be a trainer or not in the future, it is always good to learn something new," Zoe added.

CUSCS is committed to helping students to reach their fullest potential by facilitating them to learn and to serve. There are many more activities available for students to develop, click the website of CUSCS Student Counselling & Development Services for more details.