- 17 & 10 Sep 2026
To help newly arrived postgraduate students become familiar with the local living environment and gain essential practical knowledge, the Graduate School of The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK), in collaboration with the Baptist Sha Tin Education Centre, organised the Hong Kong Living & Integration Series under the 2026/27 HIGH Programme.
Combining thematic talks with community visits, the series provided students with practical guidance on everyday living, personal safety and local community resources, supporting their transition to life in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Life Essentials: Practical Information, Useful Apps and Fraud Prevention
For students new to Hong Kong, navigating everyday matters such as opening a bank account, understanding tenancy agreements and handling administrative procedures can be challenging. Knowing how to identify suspicious messages and protect oneself against scams is equally important.
The Hong Kong Life Essentials session addressed a wide range of practical concerns commonly faced by newly arrived students. Topics included identity documents, banking arrangements, tenancy agreements and other essential aspects of daily life. The session also introduced useful mobile applications commonly used in Hong Kong, helping students access local services and information more efficiently and manage everyday matters with greater confidence.
A key highlight of the session was its focus on fraud prevention and personal safety. Drawing on real-life cases, the instructor explained common types of scams and potential risks, highlighting the importance of remaining vigilant when handling unfamiliar messages, personal information and financial transactions. Practical advice was also shared on recognising suspicious situations and safeguarding personal data.
Through relatable examples and interactive discussions, students gained not only practical knowledge of everyday living but also a better understanding of how to stay safe in Hong Kong. The session aimed to strengthen their ability to handle daily matters independently and respond appropriately to potential risks.
The instructor introduces practical information and useful tips for everyday life in Hong Kong.
Students gain insights into local services, community resources and fraud prevention through an informative session.
Exploring Sha Tin: Experiencing the Local Community First-hand
Beyond classroom learning, the series offered students an opportunity to explore Sha Tin and experience the local community first-hand, putting the knowledge gained during the thematic talk into a real-world context.
Guided by the instructor, students visited Yuen Chau Kok Sports Centre, Sha Tin Public Library and the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, where they also explored exhibitions featuring the cultural legacies of Leslie Cheung and Louis Cha (Jin Yong). These visits introduced students to the district's community facilities, cultural resources and public spaces, offering different perspectives on everyday life in Sha Tin.
Throughout the visit, students actively participated in discussions and explored the community together. The activity also provided a welcoming environment for postgraduate students from different programmes to interact, make new friends and develop a greater sense of familiarity with their surroundings.
By combining practical classroom learning with first-hand community experiences, the Hong Kong Living & Integration Series encouraged students to develop a deeper understanding of their local environment and approach their academic and personal lives in Hong Kong with greater confidence.
Students visited Yuen Chau Kok Sports Centre, Sha Tin Public Library and the Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Student Reflections: Practical Insights for a Smoother Transition to Life in Hong Kong
Following the completion of the series, two participants, HU Min and CHEN Ni, shared their experiences and reflections on the activities.
Q1: What were your key takeaways from the programme?
HU Min shared:
"The activities complemented our university courses by covering practical aspects of everyday life in Hong Kong that are rarely addressed in the classroom. For newly arrived students like us, this information was particularly valuable, helping us understand local living arrangements, settle into life in Hong Kong more smoothly."
Q2: How would you describe your overall learning experience?
CHEN Ni commented:
"The course covered a wide range of everyday situations relevant to newcomers in Hong Kong. The real-life fraud cases were particularly memorable, reminding us to stay alert to potential risks. The sessions were informative and practical, giving us useful knowledge and greater confidence to adapt to daily life in Hong Kong."
The Graduate School remains committed to supporting the holistic development and cultural integration of postgraduate students through a diverse range of learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
In line with HSUHK's distinctive "Liberal + Professional" education model, the University encourages students to complement their academic pursuits with community engagement, cultural exploration and experiential learning, broadening their perspectives through meaningful interactions with the wider community.
About the HIGH Programme:
Centered on the "H-I-G-H" philosophy, the Graduate School of HSUHK launched the HIGH Programme to provide postgraduate students with immersive growth support. Driven by both academic research and social practice, the programme aims to achieve the goal of "Research with Impact, Impact with Care."