Hong Kong Study Tour

Study Tour Diary by Xin-yao Chen

To me young people in Hong Kong gave the impression of being very mature and during our study tour to Hong Kong everyone we met was very friendly and welcoming. People we met like student association leader Xiao-hai Chen , who took us on a tour of Sheng Yan middle school, and all the Caritas social workers who helped make our first time in Hong Kong a very moving and happy experience.

However, I really worry about their futures because they have few opportunities in higher education and employment. For example, there were only a few students at Sheng Yan middle school who had successfully applied to university. I don't know whether the rest have given up study or not. No matter what, I really hope that their futures will all be bright.

The youth social welfare systems in Taiwan and Hong Kong are very similar. For example, in dealing with domestic problems such as domestic violence, runaways and night time escapades they both provide counseling, temporary foster homes and places to stay (Youth Out Reach centers for example). However, there are differences in the way problems are dealt with.

For example, in Hong Kong social workers from the outreach services will visit the places young people meet. During the night young people will hang around in a place, in a park for example, and look for partners. Taiwan has also had this social problem. However, because most social workers here, from places like Garden of Hope, are women and their numbers are few, properly dealing with problems such as this is hard due to the danger involved.

Furthermore, the biggest social problem facing Taiwan and Hong Kong is very different. Here, pressure from competition in the higher education and job markets is the main problem. Lately, all of Taiwan has been trying to get in to university. It has got to the extreme where practically everyone is a graduate. So, getting in to a "good university" and getting good employment has become a big pressure for today's Taiwanese students. In fact, it is completely different in Hong Kong. There the university application rate is low and the unemployment rate is high.

The people at Caritas left me with a deeply positive impression. We had spent a lot of time together. By the afternoon of the second day when we met up and played games again we had all got on friendly terms. Later on we participated in some of the Caritas activities. By personally taking part in some of the activities, which Caritas provides for disadvantage young people, I could really experience what their work entails and understand the satisfaction one can gain from it.

By taking part in this study tour and visiting lots of places in Hong Kong I gained many new insights and ideas. To me these things were more valuable than any material things I could I have got in Hong Kong. 

For example, although I had always "outwardly respected" sex workers I actually looked down on them and thought that what they did was immoral. However, after paying a visit to Action for Reach Out [a group that campaigns for the rights of prostitutes] and listening to a talk given by the people there I changed this opinion. I now understand better the hardships these women go through and recognize that they also have the right to work.

In conclusion, on this study tour I gained many valuable insights into many aspects of Hong Kong society, a place most know only for its economic prosperity. My opinion of the work of the social services has been greatly influenced in a very positive way. 

Xin-yao is the first place winner of the Garden of Hope's Daughter's of Taiwan Courage and Adventure Award. Although Xin-yao is small for her age she is full of spirit. At first she was worried that the study tour would be too much for her, but during the trip she kept going even when her feet were sore from walking and everyone was tired. She insisted in taking part in all the visits that we organized. During the trip she took on the responsibility of dorm leader, which meant that she had to have to tidiest bed! Her lively and friendly nature rose all our spirits. 

Note: Social workers from the Garden of Hope also run outreach services, including some evening and night work. However, Xin-yao is right – it is more difficult to do this kind of work here because of the limited number of workers and the danger involved.