Press Release

HKBU’s 23rd Host Family Programme welcomes around 230 non-local new students to study in Hong Kong and embrace local life

Sunday, 13 September 2026

The Counselling and Development Centre of the Office of Student Affairs at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) hosted the kick-off gathering for the Host Family Programme 2026-27 yesterday (12 September). This year, 194 new students from the Chinese Mainland and 35 international students from 12 countries were warmly welcomed by 79 local host families, marking the start of a year-long cross-cultural journey. The Programme provides non-local students with valuable opportunities to adapt to life in Hong Kong and experience the local culture, with the support and companionship of Hong Kong families. It aims to foster personal growth and a vibrant, diverse learning environment for non-local students, further advancing HKBU’s commitment to the “Study in Hong Kong” brand initiative.

First launched in 2003, the Host Family Programme originally served non-local undergraduates only, and later expanded to non-local postgraduates in 2025. Over the past 23 years, more than 1,250 host families have joined the Programme to support nearly 2,700 non-local students.

Each September, the University invites staff members or members nominated by non-profit organisations to serve as host families. Each family is paired with two to four non-local students, offering their support and guidance throughout the year and helping students navigate life in Hong Kong.

In addition to the Programme’s official activities each academic year, host families also organise cultural exchange activities on their own initiative, such as sharing local delicacies, exploring cultural sites and celebrating traditional festivals such as the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Chinese New Year, to build a good rapport. This year’s official activities include the “Victoria Harbour Cruise”, “Cheung Chau Discovery Day” and the “Gratitude Dinner”.

Dr Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) of HKBU, remarked: “HKBU is committed to whole-person education and to fostering an enriching, transdisciplinary and creative learning and research environment for our students, as we enhance our international campus environment and diversified student experience. The Host Family Programme exemplifies HKBU’s dedication to supporting non-local students, strengthens the ‘Study in Hong Kong’ brand and reinforces Hong Kong’s position as an International Hub for Post-secondary Education.”

Professor Amy Lee, Director of Student Affairs of HKBU, said: “Many of our students have travelled far to Hong Kong, and they are balancing academic pressures with the task of settling into a new culture and daily life. Through the Host Family Programme, we want each student to feel the warmth, guidance and support of a local family. In return, this initiative gives our families the chance to build friendships across borders, share perspectives and broaden their horizons”

At the gathering, the host families and students met for the first time and got the chance to mingle with each other. The Long Service Awards and last year’s My Beloved Family Awards were also presented in recognition of the host families’ selfless dedication, with awardees’ touching stories being shared with this year’s programme participants.

Dr Sophy Pan, Senior Technical Officer of the Teaching and Research Division at HKBU’s School of Chinese Medicine, first joined the Host Family Programme as a student when she enrolled at HKBU in 2008, receiving warm care and support. After returning to HKBU as a staff member in 2023, she signed up for the Programme without hesitation and has received the “My Beloved Family Award” for two consecutive years. She said: “I want to pass on the love and care I once received to more non-local students. I often have lunch on campus with four non-local students, chatting about their lives, studies and challenges. I have taken them to try hometown dishes, ride the cable car, have barbecues, go squid fishing and play golf, helping them experience Hong Kong and feel at home in the city through these outings.”

Ms Melinda Lai Po Chu, nominated by the Kowloon City Baptist Church, is serving as a host family for the 12th year and has received the “My Beloved Family Award” three times. She shared that during their first two months in Hong Kong, non-local students are often still adjusting to a new living environment and may feel particularly nervous and stressed when facing their first examinations. To help them feel the comfort of home, she and her family prepared soup and fruit for them, and invited them to take part in volunteer activities in their spare time. “The greatest reward of participating in the Programme is learning perseverance and diligence from these non-local students. My daughters have also learned to care for others and have improved their social skills,” she added.

Louison Margaux Jeanne Sergent, a first-year student from France pursuing a Bachelor of Communication, said: “I have always been drawn to Hong Kong as a diverse and international city that remains closely connected to Asia. As a journalism student, HKBU has been my dream school because of its international environment, diverse student community and the great opportunities it offers.”

Adilet Bizakov, a student from Kazakhstan enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts and Science (Honours) in Arts and Technology, said: “Coming from a small, slow-paced city in Kazakhstan, I find Hong Kong very different in its energy and career prospects. As an international hub, the city offers many possibilities, especially in the tech world. Through the Programme, I hope to create meaningful memories with local friends, and broaden my horizons academically, professionally and personally.”

Gou Jiarui, a first-year student from Beijing pursuing a Bachelor of Science, said: “Hong Kong is a blend of Chinese and Western cultures. I look forward to having yum cha, visiting wet markets and celebrating festivals with my host family, so that I can experience local traditions and customs through everyday interactions. Even if my Cantonese is not fluent at first, I will try to use it more to bring us closer together.”

In addition to the Host Family Programme, HKBU provides comprehensive support for non-local students, with a view to creating a multicultural, inclusive and vibrant campus life. Through new student orientation activities, peer mentoring for new students and university life workshops, the University helps students integrate into the local life. It also offers first-year on-campus accommodation arrangements and information on off-campus housing, assigns each student an academic advisor, and provides the Whole Person Development Mentoring Programme as well as professional counselling services. Together, these initiatives provide holistic support for students’ academic development and physical and mental well-being, while promoting cross-cultural exchange and whole-person development.