Originally made up of farming and fishing villages, Hong Kong developed around the natural harbour and has grown into a truly global city, major financial centre, and commercial port hub. Hong Kong’s economy developed in manufacturing, trade, and shipping but has also seen massive growth in the services sector and received the nickname ‘Silicon Harbor’ for being home to several high tech and innovation companies.
Traditional Chinese values blend with Western processes to showcase a unique history all across Hong Kong. With the world’s largest number of skyscrapers, some of the highest life expectancy rates in the world and an iconic and densely packed skyline, Hong Kong attracts professionals from all over the world. Working Cultures (WWC) Hong Kong will offer students a unique opportunity to experience the professional environment, history and culture of Hong Kong.
Check out what the WWC Hong Kong participant experience looks like through our Flickr photo album.
About the programme
WWC Hong Kong
Saturday 14 – Sunday 22 September 2024
Programme summary
Westminster Working Cultures (WWC) Hong Kong offers undergraduate students a chance to learn about the professional landscape, career opportunities and working life in East Asia and more specifically in Hong Kong. Speakers will share their professional journey and advice through the week, to help students from every background achieve their goals.
On the programme you'll be able to:
- Experience work insights and employment culture in Hong Kong
- Ask professionals all the questions you’ve ever wanted answering, about their international professional journey, their top tips on how they built their confidence, or what they did while they were at university
- Make friends with other students from across different courses and experience the history and culture of Hong Kong together
- Build your skills and experience by practising your communication, confidence, and networking skills in an international setting
A full itinerary and list of companies you’ll visit will be provided closer to the trip.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Westminster Working Cultures is committed to providing an equitable, diverse and inclusive employability programme. Applications are encouraged and supported from all undergraduate students regardless of their background or course. WWC speakers reflect a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences and industries to support our participants. This makes for an incredible opportunity where students learn not just from our speakers but from each other as well.
Applications are open from Monday 8 April 2024 and close on Sunday 29 April 2024.
Key information
This trip has been generously funded by the Quintin Hogg Trust. This means most of your trip costs will be funded, including flights and accommodation.
Trip costs that are covered (and students will not have to pay for) include:
- flights
- accommodation
- internal transport
- meals that are part of the programme (ie breakfasts and most lunches)
Trip costs that are not covered (and students will have to pay for):
- a non-refundable £100 contribution towards the trip*
- a visa and associated costs if you require one
- your own transport costs to and from London Heathrow airport
- costs associated with free time (ie food and entrance fees)
*We regret we are unable to refund contributions if a selected student is unable to attend the programme except in exceptional circumstances.
Please note: to find out whether or not you require a visa to visit Hong Kong, please visit the Government of Hong Kong Immigration Department website.
The purpose of the trip is to enhance your employability and develop skills that will help you after graduation. You’ll visit several leading and diverse organisations in Hong Kong and have a chance to reflect on your experience. A full itinerary and list of companies you’ll visit will be provided closer to the trip. Please be prepared to research the organisations so you can make the most of your time.
Please note: students will have to do a lot of walking and use public transportation around Hong Kong. To ensure students make the most during their time in Hong Kong, the itinerary will include multiple visits and talks a day and may be quite intense.
Sessions will have an employability focus and may include:
- Seminars, workshops and workplace tours with alumni and partners
- Q&A sessions with University of Westminster alumni
Your trip will also include activities to enhance your understanding and cultural knowledge of Hong Kong.
Please note: this list may be subject to change.
Sessions
A full itinerary and list of organisations you’ll visit will be provided closer to the trip. Sectors will vary from media to technology to business. Please be prepared to research them in advance so you can make the most of your time. Sessions will generally run daily from 9am-5pm with at least 2 visits or speakers a day.
Participation
All participants are expected to actively engage during the programme. This means:
- Researching speakers and organisations in advance and preparing questions, topics for discussion
- Engaging in every session (eg. taking notes, interacting with the speakers)
- Asking at least one question every day of the programme
Flights will be to and from London Heathrow airport.
Please note: students are required to travel together a group both to and from Hong Kong.
Accommodation will be in University-standard Halls of Residence or similar.
Please note: you will be sharing a twin room with another student.
This programme is designed by the Westminster Working Cultures team based in the University’s Alumni Relations Office. You will be joined throughout the programme by the WWC team and various members of University staff, which may include senior academics. The programme will be subject to normal University risk assessments and regulations, and all students will be covered by the University of Westminster travel insurance (free of charge to students).
You are required to attend all the programme activities as representatives of the University.
Participants complete the programme by attending and engaging in all sessions, completing their WWC reflective journal and sharing feedback about their experience.
Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will receive:
- 50 points toward the Westminster Employability Award. WWC is an optional activity.
- A digital badge that can be shared on social media.
- Access to a closed WWC LinkedIn group to maintain relationships and grow networks.
- An exclusive opportunity to join the WWC team in a voluntary position as WWC Ambassador, a tailored employability role to enhance your professional development and experience.
You must be enrolled as a full-time or part-time undergraduate student at the time of this trip (September 2024).
Agree to the ‘Expectations of trip participants’:
- Be on time and participate in all activities and meetings*
- Post on social media, submit photos, videos or write a blog post about your experience
- Reflect on your experience through the Westminster Working Cultures reflective journal
- Be aware that things may change during your time abroad, have an open mind and be flexible!
Students are required to maintain the highest standards of behaviour while abroad on a University of Westminster programme. Students overseas remain bound by the University of Westminster’s 'Student Code of Conduct'. Failure to comply may result in the cancellation of your place on the programme and/or a referral to the disciplinary procedure.
* Participation means: researching speakers and organisations in advance, preparing questions, engaging in every session (eg. taking notes, interacting with the speakers) and asking at least one question every day of the programme.
Write a strong application for your chosen international programme by using the top tips below. The WWC team has put together some important guidance to help you write the best application possible. Our amazing WWC participants have also contributed their own advice and tips to support you in this process!
- Generative AI. If you use generative AI to complete your application, your application may look like every other application that uses generative AI and you will likely not be selected. Please make sure to personalise your answers to help you stand out! The shortlisting panel wants to get to know you and your motivations.
- Take your time. Rushed applications that are not tailored to the programme will be immediately obvious to the shortlisting panel and can give the impression that you haven’t spent time on your application. Ask someone to proofread for grammar and spelling.
- Do your research. Have you done your research on the destination? You can use your research within your answers to improve the strength of your application by answering the following questions:
- How would this programme impact on your studies and future career?
- What do you aim to achieve from being on the programme?
- Keep it relevant. You have 300 words to answer each question, so keep your answer specific and relevant to what we are asking. Although we need detail in your answers, make sure that what you are writing stays on point with the focus of the question.
- Expand on your points. If you state something which you feel is relevant and suitable for your application, expand on it and tell us more. If you feel participating in this international opportunity will help with your career or studies – tell us how and why! If there is an activity that is of keen interest to you – give us your reasons as to why it is. Developing employability attributes is one of the impacts this programme will have on students, but we want to know which ones you want to develop and how this programme will impact those.
- Write at least 100 words. If you write only one or two sentences, your application will probably not be successful. Make sure you provide context and showcase your interests, motivations and personality when writing your application.
Your application will be judged on the quality of your response to each question in the form, so make sure you carefully consider your responses and clearly communicate your interest in, and your motivations for, taking part in the WWC International programme.
Student advice
Our WWC participants have shared their advice for your application to WWC.
“Before filling out the application, start with writing down your characteristics and skills so that you know what you have to offer. Think about what motivates or inspires you to be a part of the programme. Note down your achievements and pull together all your best work experience examples. And, the last step will be to know what are your future goals and how will you make the most of the event to further contribute to your goals.”
Taruna – Designing Cities: Planning and Architecture BA
“Be honest. It is okay to say that you struggle with anxiety when speaking to new people. WWC is not about making judgements but helping you to develop personally in ways that will support your future employability. Ask yourself, “What do I find difficult, and how might this impact future possibilities?” Then during the WWC programme, you can work on the things you have identified.”
Maya – Psychology and Counselling BSc
“Think carefully and highlight in your application how you believe this programme will support your professional development and employability. For instance, developing confidence, networking with professionals, gaining insights into careers.”
Tina – Psychology BSc
“Have an open mind and be inspired by this process. Be like a painter with a brush and start painting. You will never create a masterpiece until your brush touches the blank canvas: the application. Tackle this as you would tackle a job application or your exam. Take it seriously and take your time. Research the graduate attributes that the world of work is looking for and link your application to how the WWC programme would enable you to start developing those particular attributes.”
Aminul – Biomedical Sciences BSc
“Make sure that you have answered the questions fully and in depth, in order to demonstrate to the WWC panel why the programme will be beneficial or suitable for you. Personalise your answer about your experience of higher education so far, or after graduation plans and talk about how the WWC programme may help you in your progression. Good luck!”
Bibi – Biomedical Sciences BSc
Application process
In order to be selected you will need to:
- complete an online application form by the deadline*
- agree to the participant expectations
- be available for the entire duration of the programme
- be a current undergraduate student at the time of the programme (September 2024)
*We are unable to accept late applications.
A selection panel will shortlist participants based on the quality of their responses to the motivation questions in the application form. Academic performance and previous outward mobility experience with the University may be taken into consideration.
Applicants will be notified either way of the outcome as soon as possible after the application period closes.
Applications will be open 8-29 April 2024.
Further details
Pre-departure briefing sessions
All students selected to participate in the programme will be required to attend two briefing sessions to learn more about the programme and meet fellow WWC participants. The dates of the briefing sessions will be shared with selected students.
Commitment to embracing diversity and promoting equality
If you have a disability that may affect your application to Westminster Working Cultures International, you can choose to inform us of this by emailing [email protected].
By disclosing this information, we may be able to adapt the process for you and take this into account when considering your application. Any information you disclose will be confidential.
Contact us
You can email [email protected] with any queries.
For further advice on security and visiting Hong Kong, please see the Foreign Travel Advice – Hong Kong on the government’s website.
Student testimonials
"Going into offices and talking to employees/alumni who have lived and worked in Hong Kong was very eye-opening. Learning about some of the things they have experienced and their motivations for living there was interesting. Visiting the agencies opened my eyes to the bigger picture and made me look beyond the fun and excitement of travelling abroad."
Jordan Robertson, Marketing Management BA Honours (September 2017 trip)
"In a world where companies are beginning to spread globally, I can use this international experience to show that I am willing to put myself out there to learn about different cultures… This experience will also show that I am open to learning new things, welcome challenges and willing to form partnerships to tackle global challenges."
Julian Montoya Vallejo, Biochemistry BA Honours (September 2017 trip)
"I will put this experience on my CV under “achievements” and add the new skills I have developed… when in interview situations I will use plenty of examples as evidence that I have truly developed these skills."
Rachelle Kyriacou, Human Nutrition with Foundation BA Honours (September 2017 trip)
"The programme is great for students with a desire to gain employability skills in a global context and is a great benefit to those who want to work abroad. It's also a great opportunity to learn about a new country – giving opportunity to insights that would otherwise be impossible to gain without the university's prior knowledge and organisations with the Westminster alumni. I would definitely recommend applying."
Alex Buchan, Contemporary Media Practice BA Honours (April 2018 trip)
Find out what one of our students also has to say about her experience on this video:
