國際體驗 · 環球視野

澳洲昆士蘭大學英語沉浸課程

澳洲啟發探索之旅

2015年6月13-28日
交流團導師：李寶女士，李敬堯先生

延續上一年的成功經驗，國際學院今個暑假再度推出昆士蘭學術交流團，29位國際學院同學參與了是次旅程，踏足澳洲。學術交流團的內容除了學習英語之外，還包括遊覽當地自然風景區、文化古蹟和城中著名景點。

沉浸在全英語的學習環境中，同學有機會透過多種多樣的活動提升英語水平。例如參加當地導師主持的互動英語課堂、與國際學生交流、跟隨當地人參觀城市地標等。活動除了加強同學的語文技巧，更促進其個人成長。

遊走於大學校園以外的鄉郊地區也讓一班久居城市的同學大開眼界。離家的兩星期，寄住當地家庭的生活經歷也讓同學學習獨立生活，培養自理能力，是次旅程的收獲甚豐。

Growing the Seed of Dream on the Australian Soil

Irish Guevarra ZAMBRANO （Psychology, Year 2）

My experience living and studying in Australia for two weeks was incredible and it was truly an unforgettable experience. I enjoyed all the activities and the course has equipped me with plenty of knowledge. We visited many different places, savoured Australian cuisine and made new friends. My favourite place was North Stradbroke Island. We went hiking around the island. The scenery along the way was amazing.

Before the trip, I felt nervous because I hardly knew anyone in the group. As I interacted with other participants during the trip, we got well-acquainted with one another. Towards the end of the trip, I even became close friends with some of the tour participants. The newly cultivated friendship made the immersion experience more memorable. Studying at University of Queensland was the best part of it all. The classes and excursions gave me inspiration and motivation to study harder and pursue my dreams. The days of being a UQ student created a proud chapter in my life.

After the two weeks away from home, I found myself more capable of letting my worries and insecurities go. Besides, I am no longer fearful of being myself and following my heart. Now, I am confident that I can be independent and take care of myself without the supervision of adults, making me more empowered to tackle challenges in life. Although there are uncertainties on what will happen to my future, I’m determined to pursue further study in the field of Psychology. I hope my dream can come true so that I can embark on a career that allows me to provide guidance and inspirations to the younger generation.

Shaving the Sheep: Cruelty or Necessity?

CHUNG Cheuk Yu （Environmental Conservation Studies, Year 1）

Among all the outdoor excursions, I liked the visit to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary most. I wasn’t enthusiastic at first because I wasn’t fond of animals. But my mind changed completely after the visit. The sanctuary is an excellent place to educate the public on the habitat and preservation of Australian animals. People can hug koalas, feed kangaroos and watch animal shows. Lone Pine is the only place that allows visitors to hug the koalas in Brisbane. I was fascinated by emus and kangaroos running and lying all over the grass, which is a scene we can’t see in Hong Kong. I think the kangaroos like me too! They were so desperate for the food that they gripped my hands tightly with their claws while eating!

I was a bit emotional during the sheepdog show. As an Environmental Conservation studies student, I felt sad when I saw the trainer shave off the wool in the blink of an eye. It would take a year for it to grow back on the sheep’s body. The shudder of the suffering animal sent shivers down my spine. I think the mankind has a complex relationship with animals. Endless sheep are shaved for the manufacture of wool products. But we’ve never considered how the sheep feel. When sheep lose all their wool, it will be prone to injuries and the extremely cold winter. It’s time to reflect on whether it makes sense to sacrifice animals for human greed, especially when more and more alternatives are available.