Testimonials by HKU students who attended Live, Learn & Intern Summer Institutes at Georgetown University in 2009

Institute on Political Journalism (IPJ)

Wendy Li, B Journalism

I indeed enjoy the two courses I have taken at Georgetown University! The ethic class offered me a thoughtful perspective on what personality a journalist should command. The Public Economic Class is the most interesting and special economic class I have ever taken! I made lots of notes and just fell in love with Economics! I worked hard for both courses, taking notes, joining discussions, writing essays and preparing for finals. The internship I took was also unforgettable and enjoyable. I worked for World and I, an online database for schools around the world. I work as a Chinese Project editor there, contributed several articles, and joined their International Greeting Project. I had a good relationship with my supervisor and other interns. We still keep in touch these days, and we will become long time friends! Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity! It was my best summer experience, no doubt about it!

Engalitcheff Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems (ICPES)

Shannon Zheng, BEcon&Fin

It is appropriate to say that my summer in Washington DC was definitely a life-changing experience. The intensive program schedule really pushed me beyond my limits and helped me realize my potential. Studying at a top US university, working in the political center of US and networking with senior professionals…Any of these experiences would have been very exciting already, let alone this Live, Learn and Intern program that combined everything. From a more personal perspective, this program not only included challenging courses, rewarding internships or all those eye-opening site visits. It also equipped me with a better attitude towards life as well as the ability to maintain a balanced living style in the face of difficulties and pressure. I feel very grateful to have the opportunity to participate in DC Intern 2009. And I am firmly convinced that the professional skills, academic knowledge and philosophy of life would be precious treasures in my future journey.

Grace Lau, BEcon&Fin

The programme was well organized. There was much to learn from both classes and internship. Classes were interesting and it equipped students with global perspectives. Moreover, site visits going to the Federal Reserve, State Department and the World Bank were memorable. I found the programme very challenging and intensive. It required working in daytime and having classes at night. The learning there was also different from what I was used to in HKU. There were a lot of readings. In order to finish them before every class, time needs to be managed properly. For the internship part, I have contributed to the company with my communication skills by working as a team. I also contributed my organizational skills and analytical skills when working as a research and administrative intern in the corporate development division. I was punctual and responsible throughout the internship. It is an experience of a lifetime and I would recommend any students who would like to broaden their horizon to join this programme.

James Tong, BEcon&Fin

The programme gave me a favorable environment to have a full picture of American economics and politics: the core values and shared belief of the country, how they are applied through local and foreign policies, and how the systems work. The programme included a wide range of activities along with the academic courses and internship. The Judd Lecture Series invited policy-makers and experts to share their critical viewpoints which were often debatable. The site briefings gave me the chance to visit the Federal Reserve, World Bank, State Department, Capital Hill and French Embassy in Washington DC, and understand their roles and responsibilities. The professional development seminars brushed up on my networking skill, while my mentor gave me a lot of insights into career development and government policies. Also, the above special events could not be organized successfully without the dedicated programme staff. The programme enhances personal growth as it encourages critical thinking, active participation and awareness of world issues. After the programme, I am more aware of my strengths and weaknesses, and feel more confident of achieving my goals.