Discover HKBU

A K-pop dance class, workshops on sustainability, an eye-opening experience to learn about international cooperation — a group of 23 HKBU students recently went on a fruitful seven-day tour to explore South Korea through the lens of innovation, culture and sustainability. As part of HKBU’s Extended Study Programme, the tour immersed students in a new environment and inspired them to think more deeply about their roles as future leaders and global citizens.

Organised by HKBU’s International Office and led by Professor Park Keon-young from the Department of Communication Studies, the tour was themed “Exchange, Dialogue and Collaboration between China and South Korea”. Through visits to universities, international organisations, leading corporations and cultural landmarks, students explored a diverse range of issues covering sustainability, innovation, international relations and global cooperation.

Learning about international cooperation from a global leader

One of the highlights of the tour was a visit to the Ban Ki-moon Peace Museum and Peace Land in Eumseong County, the hometown of Mr Ban, the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations. The students received a special message from Mr Ban, who reflected on his lifelong commitment to international cooperation and sustainable development. He encouraged students to recognise the responsibilities that come with global citizenship and to actively engage with the challenges facing the international community.

“Learning about Mr Ban Ki-moon’s dedication to international cooperation was deeply moving,” says Gibson Yin, a fourth-year Global Entertainment student. “His journey from growing up in a small village to leading the United Nations inspired me to think about the responsibilities we all share, as global citizens, in promoting international harmony.”

During the visit, the students took part in climate workshops and stepped into the roles of global changemakers in simulation exercises. They also engaged in dialogues with senior representatives of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future, gaining valuable insights into international relations and the global collaborative efforts needed to address complex challenges.

Diverse tour focusing on sustainability and innovation

At Ewha Womans University, students participated in a workshop on artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability and engaged in academic exchanges with Ewha Womans University students, examining how corporate social responsibility and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals have been applied to campus planning and operations. They also worked in teams to create short videos on sustainability.

Furthermore, they got the chance to experience new technologies first-hand. At Samsung Innovation Museum, they looked into the development of digital technologies through interactive exhibits featuring AI, smart ecosystems and mobile innovations.

Kirill Nam, a second-year Game Design and Animation student from Kazakhstan, was particularly impressed by how South Korea balances rapid technological advancement with a deep respect for tradition and sustainability. “I was just stunned by the sheer efficiency and productivity behind everything the people in South Korea do. It shows that a fast-paced future doesn’t have to mean leaving environmental responsibility or cultural heritage behind,” he says.

The tour also offered a unique window into the growing presence of Chinese enterprises in Seoul. Through visits to China Southern Airlines and Yunda Express, followed by a networking dinner with Chinese entrepreneurs, students gained a better understanding of multinational business development, the expanding influence of Chinese enterprises in the region, and their role in strengthening economic and commercial ties between China and South Korea.

Lessons beyond the classroom

Merey Beisenbayeva, a third-year Economics and Data Analytics student from Kazakhstan, found the tour an enriching experience. “I really appreciate how the tour blended both industry visits and cultural activities, which allowed us to learn about South Korea from different perspectives,” she says. One of her favourite parts of the tour was the visit to the Gyeongbokgung Palace, a former royal palace in Seoul. Students also visited the Bukchon Hanok Village, which contains many restored traditional Korean houses, to observe how cultural traditions and historical sites are preserved amid urban development.

To further students’ knowledge on the cultural influence and soft power of South Korea, they toured Arirang TV, an international broadcaster, and joined a K-pop programme to understand how creativity, culture and media can shape international perceptions.

The journey concluded with a dinner lecture by Professor Han Oul from the Department of Global Korean Studies at Sogang University. Weaving together themes of culture, innovation, communication and global engagement, she encouraged students to reflect on the interconnected nature of today’s world.

Mahak Tasawar, a first-year English Language and Literature student from Pakistan, says the tour highlighted the value of learning beyond the classroom. “My biggest takeaway from this trip is how much you can learn outside the classroom. The tour was the perfect mix of culture, learning and fun, and it made me realise how much I want to explore more in the future,” she says.