Intercultural Immersive Exchange Programme
2025-2026

Programme Aims

Global citizenship refers to “the belief that individuals are members of multiple, diverse, local and non-local networks” and promoting global citizenship “allows individuals to embrace their social responsibility to act for the benefit of all societies” (United Nations Academic Impact https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/global-citizenship). While the United Nations recognises that fostering the value of global citizenship is achieved through Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), actual learning and practices happen when students interact with local people and engage in on-site immersive experiential learning in civic societies beyond Hong Kong. The Intercultural Immersive Exchange (IIE) programme is intended to support students’ overseas exchanges and help them practise global citizenship and cultivate intercultural competencies.

The programme’s aims are two-fold:

  1. To cultivate students’ change mindsets and sustainable thinking through immersive learning, service-learning, and international experiential opportunities
  2. To enhance students’ English and foreign language skills through immersion in language-rich environments and experiential learning activities

Amount of Sponsorship

DestinationsMaximum Amount of Sponsorship
ZONE 1
Africa, Americas, Europe, Israel etc.		HK$26,000

ZONE 2
The Middle East, Oceania (Australia, NZ),
Kazakhstan, Türkiye etc.		HK$22,000

ZONE 3
Japan, Singapore, South Korea etc.		HK$16,000

Expected Outcomes

Students at home will have the opportunity to listen to IIE students share their experiences. They will be motivated to take foreign language courses and broaden their worldviews.

The IIE, along with its promotional activities and student-led events such as ‘Internationalization at Home’, underscores the university’s mission to promote cross-cultural learning (2018-2028 Strategic Priority I). This further enhances HKBU’s reputation as a driving force for positive societal change.

Eligibility Criteria

Students who have taken a foreign language course at the Language Centre and wish to advance their language proficiency and intercultural awareness while practising global citizenship principles. 

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

  1. having attained a grade of B or above in any foreign language course at Level II or higher, or received a recommendation from a foreign language teacher (i.e., email proof stating the student’s merits and suitability); and
  2. having passed an interview arranged by the LC and demonstrated a strong study plan, motivation for learning the principles of global citizenship through immersion, as well as an adequate command of the language of the destination country.

Students who want to pursue a summer programme in a discipline (via the International Office’s website) and apply the communication skills acquired in the Language Centre’s foundational courses (e.g., Enhancing English through Global Citizenship or University English/Chinese) while actively practising global citizenship principles.

OR

Students who have established connections with reputable international organisations (such as the United Nations (UN) and the Red Cross, or overseas NGOs) and want to contribute to UN’s Sustainable Development Goals via them.

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

  1. having attained a grade of B or above in University English I or II or received a recommendation from a UE teacher (i.e., email proof stating the student’s merits and suitability); and
  2. having passed an interview arranged by the LC and demonstrated a strong study plan as well as motivation for learning the principles of global citizenship through immersion.

Students who have actively participated in any of the following Language Centre activities recently will receive bonus marks during the application process:

  • Credit-bearing and Supplementary Courses (excluding University English/Chinese and Enhancing English through Global Citizenship)
  • Culture Exchange Course
  • Social Learning Space activities
  • Competitions
  • Consultation Services
  • Drama Club and Reading Club
  • Other activities recognised by the Language Centre
Please indicate your participation in the relevant section of the application form.

Students cannot receive duplicate funding for the same study programme. All funding provided must be used solely for summer immersion purposes. 

Sponsorship will be disbursed in two installments: before departure and after a student returns to Hong Kong and submits all required materials.

Application

If you are interested in applying for the sponsorship, please

  1. review and look for potential exchange programmes on International Office’s website;
  2. attend a briefing session on 17 March 2026 (You will receive details of the briefing session after registration); 
  3. submit your completed application form here or via the QR code by 30 March 2026(4 PM); 
  4. wait to be invited to an interview; and
  5. attend a pre-departure meeting and a reflective seminar after you return (details to be announced).
Briefing session
Apply for sponsorship

Enquiry

Ms. Rachel Leung (Tel.: 3411 5276 / Email: rachelksleung@hkbu.edu.hk)