Date: 24 Jan 2025 (Fri) – 3 Feb 2025 (Mon)
Global Immersion Programme 2025 in Australia
Honours Academy (HA) hosted its 2nd Global Immersion Programme (GIP), taking 15 cross-cohort HA students on an inspiring 11-day journey to Australia. Designed to cultivate global awareness, leadership, and adaptability, GIP offers HA students a transformative service-learning experience in diverse international settings.
Following the success of our first GIP to Singapore in 2023, this year’s programme explored environmental and biodiversity conservation, sustainable living, and cultural exchange. The 2025 GIP immersed our HA future leaders in impactful themes such as environmental recycling, animal conservation, sustainable living, and eco-friendly transport across a rainforest retreat and urban environments in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
In the first half of our 2025 GIP, our students engaged in a variety of environmental conservation and sustainable living activities at Wild Mountains, an environmental education centre in the Australian rainforest—living with limited electricity and practising sustainable practices such as completing showers within four minutes to conserve water and energy. Beyond adapting to this minimalist lifestyle, students directly contributed to environmental conservation by clearing lantana, a highly invasive plant species that overtakes native shrubs and trees, eventually collapsing entire ecosystems under its weight. This hands-on activity helped students understand the importance of protecting ecosystems and preserving biodiversity.
The “5 Senses to Nature” exercise encouraged deeper sensory engagement, while the “Magic Spot” activity allowed students to reflect quietly, cultivating gratitude for the beauty and differences in their surroundings. A highlight of the experience was the night walk namely “viewing party”, where students listened to the natural symphony of the forest, sparking awe and a renewed connection with the environment.
Coinciding with the Chinese New Year, our GIP was made even more meaningful with our HA students taking up the role of the cultural ambassadors, introducing festive customs, Chinese blessings and a feast of vegetarian family reunion dinner to our Australian hosts. This cultural exchange not only deepened our HA global citizens’ own appreciation of their heritage but also fostered cross-cultural understanding in an immersive way.
Like the trees they planted during the GIP—small saplings that will grow into towering trees over decades—students understood how education and sustainability efforts can be passed on through generations. As global future leaders, HA students left with a deeper appreciation for conservation and a commitment to fostering a greener, more sustainable future.
Returning to Hong Kong, students recognised that while small individual actions may seem insignificant, collective efforts have the power to create meaningful change and a lasting impact.