Read on, and in the article ‘One Room, Two Cultures’, to explore the beauty of our small and intimate College.

By Mr CHOI Wai Chun Koto (Year 1, Social Work)

One of the highlights of my hostel life has been the communal dining experience. Three times a week, we gather in the dining hall to share meals. These occasions have become cherished opportunities to maintain relationships with my peers. The laughter that fills Chong Kin Wo Hall is a testament to the strong sense of community fostered by CWC.

Participating in the rowing team has also been a significant aspect of my college experience. Rigorous training and intense competitions have taught me the value of perseverance, discipline, and teamwork. The inter-college competition was a memorable event that brought us closer together as a team and allowed us to forge deeper connections. The support from College Master, Dean of Students, Warden and fellow staff really means a lot to me and my teammates.

Living away from home has also made me more independent, pushing me to develop essential life skills such as cooking. The hostel has truly become my second home.

Two events that stand out in my memory are the Japanese Cultural Night and the Thanksgiving Dinner. They not only provided a platform for students to showcase their talents and share their cultures, but also brought us closer together as a community. The College's dedication to promoting cultural exchange and fostering a diverse and inclusive environment is truly commendable.

I am grateful for the nurturing environment that the College has provided, and I eagerly look forward to making even more memories in the years to come. Thank you, CWC, for making my first year truly unforgettable.

 

By Ms Anna Rinnah DALLAS-GONCALVES (Incoming exchange student, 2022–23, from The University of Sheffield, UK)

I truly could not have asked for a better year: meeting amazing people, exploring Hong Kong, travelling around Asia and just spending time with friends at communal dinners and on campus.

Some of the friends I made in my first few weeks ended up as my companions when I later travelled to Thailand, Vietnam, and Korea! We were able to go on so many adventures, having late night chats in the pantry together, and hiking up to University Library to study. Living at CW Chu has been a truly immersive experience.

I was able to learn more about local culture and food as a friend in the college invited me round her home for Mid-Autumn Festival as well as Chinese New Year. This was so special to me as I got to experience a family atmosphere even when I was far from home. When it was my birthday, my friends made a beautiful banner for me and got people from the College to sign, it was such a special surprise, and I could not believe it when I saw it! The only issue was trying to fit it in my suitcase!

I am so grateful for the loveliest CW Chu girls (you all know who you are) and amazing College staff; let's meet again!

 

By Ms Moe KIDA (Incoming exchange student, 2022–23, from Doshisha University, Japan)

This is my first time coming to Hong Kong, and staying away from my hometown, Osaka, Japan, and my family for a long term in my life. I used to be afraid of stepping out of my comfort zone and of cultural differences. However, life at CW Chu College taught me the importance of interacting with new people and of challenging myself in the new environment.

I have organised a Japanese Cultural Night with other Japanese exchange students at CWC, and it was the most challenging experience — I had never organised events in my life…we spent a lot of time planning the sharing on new aspects of Japanese culture to students. The event was a great success and we received warm comments from a lot of students and staff at CWC. It was unforgettable and all our efforts and time were paying off.

Thanks to numerous opportunities at CWC, I had a lot of chances to experience and learn about Hong Kong cultures, and got to like Hong Kong more! I would like to thank my friends, office staff, janitors, and teachers at CWC who made my experiences in Hong Kong wonderful and fruitful. 多謝! (means ‘Thank you’)

 

By Mr Hibiki SATO (Incoming exchange student, 2022–23, from Waseda University, Japan)

Hong Kong is a beautiful city and has great food. Also, CUHK has a great reputation for academics and university life. Classes are rigorous, the campus is huge, and every student and staff member is kind.

I really miss the tasty food of the canteens and the study area in the main library. Also, I enjoyed the social life at the CUHK Karate Club.

My biggest challenge was adapting to dormitory life because I had never experienced it before. CW Chu College has communal dinners and it gave me opportunities to get to know other students. I usually joined with my roommate and his friends. I cannot imagine dormitory life without them. From my conversation with local students, I also learned about Hong Kong culture.

Hosting a Japanese Cultural Night was a great experience. We had only four people and it took us lots of time to consider the concept of the event. However, we got to know each other more and enjoyed preparing for the event so much. Two of us are from Kansai-area, and the dialects and Kansai-food are interesting even for me. The event was successful and I was really happy to hear the reflections from friends and staff.

I truly enjoyed life in Hong Kong with CUHK and CW Chu College. Finally, I would like to say thank you to my roommate Karl, friends, office and cleaning staff at CWC!

 

By Ms YUAN Shuai (Year 4, Economics)

While seated in the college's mini library writing this, I was flooded with a plethora of bittersweet memories. I had initial misgivings regarding my ability to cultivate lasting friendships in college; however, I did make many valuable friends here. My best buddy is my roommate Jennie — we live together, study together, and we play together. The dormitory is our home. My mentor has helped me explore my career passion and connect with experts in the industry. With his encouragement and affirmation, I tried to challenge myself and strive for personal growth.

CWC is not only a living home, but also a study garden. The two College general education courses in my first and final years have not only augmented my knowledge but also inculcated in me a rigorous and pragmatic attitude toward learning and research, which will undoubtedly prove beneficial in my future studies and endeavors … our final year project has strengthened the bonds among my group members and stimulated an unceasing drive for progress.

I vividly recall a time when I accidentally fractured my leg while exercising. I was quite afraid of getting injured in an unfamiliar city without my parents by my side, but the College staff helped me call the ambulance, administered first aid, and kept comforting me, and I felt secure and empowered. They also kept checking my recovery progress from time to time afterwards. CWC is like a safety net that always catches me when I fall.

All the small moments accumulate and constitute my college life. Working out in the gym, playing games in the TV room, writing couplets during the Lunar New Year … all the memories are so fresh and beautiful. CWC has been a steadfast witness to my joys and sorrows, and I have also witnessed the development of CWC. Regardless of where my future takes me, CWC will always be my home.