To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Choi Kai Yau College (CKYC) of the University of Macau (UM) organised a seven-day exchange trip to King’s College at The University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia from 4 to 11 January. The exchange trip was organised as part of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in 2021, which aims to provide students with global experiential learning opportunities, broaden their international perspectives, and promote cross-cultural exchange, while enhancing competencies in global competitiveness, knowledge integration, teamwork and collaboration, and cultural engagement among students in UM’s residential colleges.
Exploring UQ and experiencing its research and cultural environment
During the exchange trip, the CKYC students stayed at King’s College and immersed themselves in a different college culture. UQ mentors took them on a tour of the campus facilities, highlighting the ecological diversity of the campus and the rich history behind the buildings. The students also visited UQ’s Plant Futures Facility, where they learned from scholars about the different growing conditions in the greenhouses and the differences in plant growth under different environmental conditions.
Chen Ieng Kuan, a third-year student from CKYC, shared, ‘I feel honoured to be part of this exchange trip to The University of Queensland. Learning about their climate change research and vibrant academic atmosphere has really broadened my horizons.’
Experiencing nature and indigenous culture in the southern hemisphere
Away from campus, CKYC students explored the natural wonders of Brisbane. Led by a local guide, they visited Australia Zoo, the Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast, where they learned about Australia’s diverse wildlife and admired breathtaking natural landscapes. The students also visited the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, where they learned about the local indigenous culture and customs—some even tried traditional ochre body painting on their hands.
Luo Yucheng, a first-year student, recalled, ‘The fine, soft white sand and pristine beaches of Brisbane captivated me. Standing on the shore and gazing eastward across the vast Pacific Ocean was truly awe-inspiring. At the Gold Coast, watching the waves crash against the rocks gave me a profound sense of the grandeur of nature.’
From winemaking to the organic meat industry
In addition to nature and traditional culture, the CKYC students visited the Tamborine Mountain Distillery to learn about the winemaking process. Immersed in the rich aromas and historic ambience, they found it a unique and fascinating experience. Given the dominant position of Australian beef in the global market, the students also visited OBE Organic, an exporter of organic beef in Australia. The company’s managing director gave a detailed overview of the company’s operations, the conditions under which organic cattle are reared, and how the company transports its beef to other parts of the world. The students gained an insight into the impact of different global policies and distribution channels on the Australian organic beef industry.
Australia’s beautiful landscapes and local customs left a deep impression on the students. The exchange trip not only brought together students from CKYC and King’s College, strengthening the connection between the two colleges, but also highlighted the warmth and power of residential college education.