A Unique Learning Experience on a Field Trip to Lai Chi Wo

On March 8, 2025, under the guidance of the faculty members from the School of Energy and Environment (SEE) at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), including Prof. Patrick Sit, Prof. Patrick Lee, and Prof. Wanxin Li, a group of undergraduate students enrolled in SEE3001: Energy and Environmental Policy, along with other interested undergraduate students, visited Lai Chi Wo as part of a service-learning project. Accompanied by Woodi and Dina from the Wu Zhi Qiao Charitable Foundation, they explored this historic Hakka village, known for its peaceful, vivid, and welcoming atmosphere, which boasts over 300 years of history.

The field trip visit was organized into five Task Forces, each focusing on a different aspect: biodiversity, energy, tourism, waste, and water. These groups conducted field data collection, providing a hands-on learning experience that was a refreshing change from the usual classroom and laboratory settings. For students majoring in energy and environmental engineering, this opportunity to engage with nature and the local community offered invaluable insights beyond their typical academic environment.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr Wong Kam Sing, G.B.S., JP, for his invaluable support in making this field study possible.

Student Reflections:

"It's my first time coming here. If it weren’t for the field study, I might never have visited Lai Chi Wo. Hong Kong deserves more of our attention and time!"

"I never thought it was important to understand how people perceive solar energy. It's really eye-opening to see the constraints. This experience has made me reconsider my views on technological determinism."