A melting pot of cultures in the sizzling hot summer at CUHK

The International Summer School (ISS) offers students with an international learning environment and abundant cultural exchange opportunities, contributing to developing CUHK into an international education hub. When ISS was first introduced in 2004, it attracted 19 students and offered five courses in areas of business and Chinese culture. Since then, the School has developed into a comprehensive and diversified attracting over 450 international students annually as well as over 100 local CUHK and Hong Kong students. Over 30 courses in areas such as business, Chinese culture, religion, history, language, environmental science, engineering and Chinese medicine are offered. In addition, there is an array of cultural activities to immerse participants in the Chinese and Hong Kong culture. The Summer School spans over the entire summer with three study periods: June Session (early to late June); July Session (late-June to early-August) and August Session (early to late-August).

• The ISS June Session debuted this summer is a 3-week programme focusing on Chinese studies through five courses in business, culture, gender studies, politics and religion.

• The five-week July Session has always been the most popular, attracting over 500 local and international students. Its rich course offering and weekly cultural field trips ensure each student has a fruitful, fun and fulfilling summer. An optional Beijing tour was also available to those wanting to explore the capital. Walking the path of past royals at the Forbidden Palace, climbing the Great Wall of China were only some of the highlights of the tour.

• Concentrating on Chinese language (Putonghua) studies, the ISS August Session challenges students through a 4-week intensive language programme. Field trips to Macau and Shenzhen allow students to practise classroom learning in a real life setting.

Living on-campus at CUHK, Summer School students not only have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Chinese and Hong Kong culture, they can also learn about cultures from around the world through interaction with other international students and local students in the programme. The sizzling summer here at CUHK is truly a melting pot of different cultures.