Reflection for tri-city student exchange programmes on students' learning

Abstract

Student exchange programmes or study tours have been used in various education institutes in different regions to enrich students’ learning experience. Previous studies have demonstrated the positive impacts of student exchange programmes to students’ learning and development. However, the effectiveness in achieving the intended goals of a student exchange tour might substantially affected by the programme design, planning and implementation. This paper discusses the development and implementation of a tri-city student exchange programme in achieving the intended learning outcomes based on a joint student exchange programme to Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP), Singapore. A group of higher diploma engineering students in Hong Kong attended the second tri-city student exchange programme in Singapore and mixed together with the local Singaporean students and another group of National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kumamoto College students from Japan for a series of exchange activities, including joint project development, industrial visits and cultural activities. With the effective coordination among the three institutes involved, the tour was successfully completed with positive feedbacks from various stakeholders. This paper aims to address and reflect the benefits of undertaking a student exchange programme to higher diploma engineering students in Hong Kong. Students’ feedbacks and reflective writings of the programme will be reviewed and analyzed. Discussion on the design, planning and implementation for future multi-city student exchange programmes as an effective learning tool is also provided in the paper. Recommendations in organizing similar programmes will be addressed.