Press Release

HKBU international students celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival on campus 

Siblings from the Dominican Republic reunite in Hong Kong for festivities

Thursday, 24 September 2026

With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, the Office of Student Affairs at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) hosted the “Moon Party” on campus from 22 to 23 September. The event brought together staff, local students and international students to experience the traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival. It not only promoted traditional Chinese culture but also fostered a diverse and inclusive campus atmosphere, showcasing the distinctive appeal of Hong Kong’s higher education to international students while further advancing the “Study in Hong Kong” brand.

To immerse students in the cultural richness of the festival, the event featured a variety of festive experiences, including lantern riddles, a full-moon photo spot, and tastings of festive delicacies such as mooncakes and piggy biscuits. The event also included a creative market, live performances, a Cantonese opera headpiece workshop and a scented sachet making experience, all led by nearly 90 students. These activities created a vibrant, festive atmosphere for faculty and students to enjoy the celebration together.

HKBU recorded a historic high in its intake of non-local undergraduate freshmen for the 2026/27 academic year. Among the participating international students were two sisters from the Caribbean, born in the Dominican Republic, who celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival together at HKBU for the first time and experienced the festive spirit of reunion. Knowing little about Hong Kong before their arrival, they enrolled in HKBU’s undergraduate programmes one after the other. Each received a full admission scholarship from HKBU, enabling them to overcome financial barriers and pursue their dreams of studying abroad. In 2025, the elder sister, Marcelle Karina Lamarche Valenzuela, was also awarded the Belt and Road Scholarship from the Scholarship Fund of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Marcelle is currently a Year 3 student in the Bachelor of Social Work programme at HKBU. Having applied to universities worldwide, she chose to study in Hong Kong after an admission interview at which she felt strongly that HKBU valued not only her academic achievements but also her personal qualities, values, aspirations, and dreams, while offering genuine care and support. Over the past two years, she has actively engaged in campus life while gaining both academic and practical experience.

Festive occasions are when one misses home the most. Although the Mid-Autumn Festival is not traditionally celebrated in the Dominican Republic, this year’s festival holds special significance for Marcelle as she studies in Hong Kong. She said: “Over the past two years, I have celebrated the festival with my classmates. This year feels especially meaningful because I can spend it with my sister on the HKBU campus. Being far from home, it is particularly precious to have family by my side and share the festive atmosphere together. It is not only a celebration, but also a precious sisterly moment that has given me a deeper appreciation of what reunion truly means.”

Her younger sister, Diana Margarita Lamarche Valenzuela, joined HKBU this academic year and is currently a Year 1 student in the Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Social Sciences programme. Initially inspired by Marcelle to enrol in HKBU, Diana’s perspective shifted less than a month into the semester, evolving from “coming because of Marcelle” to genuinely appreciating HKBU’s learning environment and campus life. She has also actively participated in various campus activities, immersing herself in the community and embracing whole-person development.

Diana expressed her excitement about celebrating her very first Mid-Autumn Festival: "This is my first time experiencing the Mid-Autumn Festival, and also my first time joining such a festive campus event in Hong Kong. It feels incredibly fresh, and celebrating alongside my sister makes it even more unforgettable. Through these traditional activities, I have gained a deeper understanding of Chinese culture. I hope to bring these experiences back to the Dominican Republic while also sharing the unique cultural charm of my home country with my peers in Hong Kong.”

The event was organised by Cultural Literacy (LIVE) under the Leadership Qualities Centre of the Office of Student Affairs at HKBU. Marking its 10th anniversary this year, Cultural Literacy (LIVE) remains dedicated to broadening students’ cultural horizons and fostering creativity and analytical thinking through a wide range of artistic and cultural experiences.