Back to school for a day
Coordinated by the I·CARE Centre for Whole-person Development at the Office of Student Affairs, 14 students from the Cross-generational Integration Service Programme organised on 25 November the “University Day for the Elderly”, an event aimed at deepening the relationship between generations; through such in-depth interactions with the elderly, students can develop a strong sense of empathy and social responsibility, reminding them of the importance of inclusivity and respect for others. This programme saw twenty-four seniors from The Salvation Army Tai Po Multi-service Centre for Senior Citizens participate, during which they visited CUHK and got a taste of university life.
Participants enjoyed a diversity of events during the day. They included a lecture delivered by nutritionist Daisy Sin Man Ching, a lecturer at the CUHK School of Life Sciences, who shared her expertise on food nutrition. There was also a campus tour, during which guests saw famous CUHK landmarks including Lake Ad Excellentiam, the Pavilion of Harmony, the University Mall, the Gate of Wisdom, and the Art Museum. The students introduced the elderly to various aspects of university life, and in return, the elderly shared stories from their lives, imparting their wisdom to the young.
Some elderly participants pointed out how the event enabled them to enjoy social interaction with their peers, as well as gain an understanding on young people’s lifestyles. “The environment of CUHK is beautiful. I was impressed by the boundless view of the sea at the Pavilion of Harmony, it was amazing. I am grateful to the students for their thoughtful preparation of various activities, which made the event so enjoyable,” said one participant.
CUHK students also had a unique experience, finding the participants full of vitality. “This event challenged my views about the elderly. I initially thought they would walk slowly and needed our assistance, but in the end, I found them to be vigorous and energetic. Despite the lengthy itinerary, the elderly remained enthusiastic without showing any signs of fatigue,” said Heidi Qiu, a participating student. Moreover, some students expressed their view that the elderly deserve respect and care because of their wealth of experience. “An elderly person shared her story with me, talking about how her two daughters struggled in the workplace and worked hard to shape their ideal lives. She encouraged me not to fear failure after graduation, and taught me to grasp different opportunities,” said student Charles Ma.
