This week’s question: What’s the one thing you’re reminding yourself about to ace this school year? To take part, drop us a line via this form by 12pm on Wednesday, Sep 3.
Hayley Sum, 16, St Paul’s Convent School: This summer, I took a first aid course at the Hong Kong Red Cross. I learned how to bandage wounds, handle bone fractures and perform CPR. Since I enjoy hiking, I want to be prepared in case of any accidents that may occur far from the city.
Miya Zhang, 18, Yale College (United States): For me, the most memorable moments this summer were backpacking across part of the Appalachian Trail during a Yale College orientation programme. I got to see some beautiful views and met some fantastic people.
Nicholas Gao, 17, Chinese International School: This summer, I experimented with various recipes and cuisines. Although I am most familiar with cooking Chinese food, my family and I watched several YouTube videos to learn something new. One of my favourite dishes that I created was Greek moussaka, a delicious eggplant and meat sauce dish.
Leah Lei, 16, Cognitio College: As the saying goes, “Destroy your doubts and face the future.” My unforgettable internship journey at Young Post allowed me to interview interesting people and be featured as a junior reporter. Organising my thoughts into articles and sharing them with peers was incredibly rewarding. As a Band 2 student, this experience helped me believe in my own process, and simply continuing to write about what I love has been memorable in itself.
Heer Donda, 15, King George V School: This summer, I had the chance to visit my grandparents in India. While I love typical vacations where I explore new places and meet new people, I truly cherished the time I spent with my grandfather. We had long conversations where I asked him about his life, experiences and his journey to where he is today. I realised that the ideal vacation isn’t always in front of a famous landmark, but rather with the people you love and value.
Angela Guo, 16, Phillips Academy (United States): I participated in a two-week Latin immersion programme in Italy, travelling from Rome to Naples. In the mornings, we read and spoke Latin through classical texts, while afternoons were spent visiting ruins, museums and historic sites. Speaking Latin at the Grotto of Tiberius or Villa Jovis made the language feel alive, and the combination of study and exploration deepened both my fluency and appreciation for ancient Roman history and culture.
Valerie Chiu, 15, St Mary’s Canossian College: During the summer holiday, I organised and participated in various activities, but one of the most memorable was the EcoCultural Exchange 2025: Where Culture Meets Sustainability. Through this cultural exchange, participants shared their views on the environment through engaging activities. I learned about one participant who installed solar panels on her rooftop, which is not a common practice in Hong Kong due to the different housing arrangements. What stood out most was the participants’ enthusiasm and eagerness to share their experiences, which exceeded my expectations.
Praveen Sathappan Narayanan, 11, Island School: Over the summer, I went on vacation with my family to the United States. I visited relatives, family and friends in different states. In our pursuit of virtual connections, we often find ourselves disconnecting and distancing ourselves from one another. My dear friends, it is time to unplug and reconnect. After returning from my summer trip, I learned to spend less time on screens and more time with my family.
Chow Tsz-ki, 16, Carmel Pak U Secondary School: My most memorable moment this summer was hunting for the northern lights in Iceland. Seeing them for the first time, even if only for a few minutes, was magical. The captivating aurora remains etched in my heart. Most importantly, I was able to share this experience with friends.
Charis Chan, 15, Malvern College Hong Kong: One of my most memorable moments was taking lessons at The Juilliard School. During this experience, I had the opportunity to refine my skills with the guidance of esteemed professors. I also performed in front of talented fellow student musicians, from whom I learned about various performing styles from around the world.
