On November 11, 2024, the Globalisation and Development (GAD) Programme invited Ilwad Ahmed, a teaching assistant from GAD, along with four students, to share their experiences from exchange programmes, summer projects, and international aid initiatives.

Ilwad Ahmed, a graduate of Queen Mary University of London, who had been on exchange at Boston College in the United States and participated in a summer programme at Seoul National University in South Korea, was one of the speakers. In her presentation, she elaborated on the differences between undergraduate systems in the UK and the US, as well as her academic and personal experiences in London and Seoul.

Xiao Rui, a senior GAD student, chose to share her experience from the summer programme she attended at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Not only did she explain how she applied forthe CUHK programme, but she also humorously recounted her experiences attending classes and living in Hong Kong.

Another senior student, Tan Muyao, shared his experience from a semester exchange at Hong Kong Baptist University. From application process, document preparation, course content, to accommodation and transportation, Tan provided an extremely comprehensive and insightful sharing of his exchange experience.

Chen Jing, also a senior from the GAD, shared her experience participating in a development aid project in South Africa. Chen took a bold decision to take a six-month leave from her studies to contribute to various local aid efforts. During her sharing, she emotionally conveyed her insights and reflections from her work in the aid project.

The last speaker was Zhou Xinnuo, a sophomore from GAD who participated in a summer programme at the London School of Economics and Political Science during her freshman summer. After introducing the courses she took, she vividly described her observations, thoughts, and experiences in London.

After the sharing session, the audience had a group photo with the guest speakers.