Orientation Week is over, and hopefully all the new students feel thoroughly welcomed!

As always, orientation week was a hectic, fun-filled time of meeting new friends from all around the world, finding the way around the campus, completing administrative tasks such as opening

bank accounts, getting ID cards, learning about the UWC philosophy, choosing subjects and CAS activities, taking on the challenge of the overnight camp, exploring Hong Kong on the “Magical Mystery Tour”, and much much more.

Among the many highlights was the trip to The Peak, one of Hong Kong’s “must see” attractions.  I accompanied the students from Blocks 2 and 4 on Thursday evening (Blocks 1 and 3 having visited on Tuesday evening).  Although the view was a little hazy when we arrived (see the photo above), it was clearer than is often the case, and it provided a great opportunity to photo taking as the city lights were turned on with the onset of the evening.

At about 6:45 pm, as darkness fell over The Peak, we descended the same way as we had arrived at The Peak - using the spectacular funicular tramway - and after a short bus trip, we

crossed the Harbour on the iconic Star Ferry, arriving at the Avenue of the Stars just in time to catch the nightly lights-and-laser show.  The view that we had looking across the Harbour from the Avenue of the Stars is shown in the photo at the top of this page.  It is hard to think of a better introduction to Hong Kong!

Orientation Week finished last night with a fabulous International Cultural Evening.  Starting with an truly global buffet dinner in the canteen, to which all the students wore their national dress, the events climaxed with intercontinental cultural performances - a two and a half hour extravaganza organised entirely

by (and featuring the talents of) the 2nd Year students.

Because of the wet weather, the show had to be performed in the Sports Centre rather than in the Courtyard as planned.  Despite the heat (the air conditioners are presently undergoing major repairs), the show was enjoyed by everyone present - a true celebration of authentic internationalism and multiculturalism!

Hopefully, after the multitude of activities during orientation week, our new students will find time for a good rest before their classes start at 7:30 am tomorrow morning!