About the Scheme
CALIS is a 4-week summer study tour in London, UK. It aims to provide students with a full immersion experience to improve English Language skills and develop intercultural awareness through experiencing many aspects of life in Britain and British culture. Each student is arranged to live with a local family as home stay. All students are tested on arrival and take an IELTS test at the end of the programme to measure students’ progress and achievement.
Language Immersion
Students will engage in interactive language classes led by experienced instructors who help improve their speaking, listening, reading, and writing abilities. Immersing in an English-speaking environment, students will have countless opportunities to practice and improve their language proficiency.
Cultural Awareness
Cultural immersion comprises various activities, including homestay at a local family, service learning, sports and musicals, weekend excursions and sightseeing.
London is a melting pot of cultures, history and art. Discovering iconic landmarks such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the British Museum; immersing in the city's vibrant neighbourhoods, visiting world-class galleries, and experiencing the rich diversity of London's food, musical and theatre scenes will deepen the students’ understanding of British culture and develop their intercultural competence.
On completion of the Scheme, students will be able to :
• communicate in English with increased confidence in different real-life situations
• demonstrate a better understanding of the intercultural differences between Hong Kong and England
• apply language learning strategies and cross-cultural communicative skills for use in a cross-cultural environment
• Possess good leadership skills and be a successful team player.
CALIS welcomes all non-final year full-time undergraduate students in the College of Engineering.
Work Schedule (Tentative and subject to the approval of the University's funding)
| Dates | Work description | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| December | Information session | |
| Late December to early January | Application period |
Application via CRESDA |
| Week 2-4, Sem B | Interview | Departments and interview panels have full discretion with regard to the interview arrangement and student assessment / nomination |
| Week 5 | Announcement of results | |
| Week 6 | Payment of non-refundable airfare and home-stay deposit | ~HK$16,000 |
| Week 12 - 13 | First meeting | Compulsory: Exact date to be confirmed |
| Week 13 - 14 | Payment of caution money and Final Payment |
|
| May | Submission of 2-page summary of project | Compulsory |
| May | Pre-departure workshop & Final briefing | Compulsory (Exact date to be advised) |
| Late May to June | A 30-day programme in UK between Late-May and June | Group departure is a MUST Staying behind is NOT allowed |
|
August |
Final presentation and debriefing | Compulsory - Upon Completion of CALIS and before start of Sem A. Exact date to be advised. |
Programme
London (Middlesex University)
- Visits: Buckingham Palace, House of Parliament, London Eye, Greenwich, River Thames, Royal Observatory
- Weekend trips: Oxford, Brighton, Windsor
- Industrial visit: Brewery manufacturing plant / Mini Cooper production plant
- Sports: Hollywood Bowling, Horse riding, cricket, sports day
- Cultural activities: Musical, visits to museums, National Gallery, National Maritime Museum
- Service Learning Project
The above programme is subject to change.
Application
Eligibility:
All non-final year full-time CENG undergraduates students of the College.
Application form: Via CRESDA
Application period: Early January
Requirement: CGPA 2.0 or above
Late submission will not be entertained under any circumstances
Interview: Weeks 4, Semester B
Departments and interview panels have full discretion with regard to the interview arrangement and student assessment/nomination. In general, the selection is based on the following:
- attitude
- initiative
- teambuilding abilities
- willingness to serve
- English proficiency
Announcement of results: Week 5, Semester B
Results will be announced via email.
Payment
Programme Fee
The programme fee covers the following items :
- Return Airfare
- Accommodation : home-stay
- Travel Card : Oyster Card (London) GBP150
- Transportation: airport pickup, weekend visits, industrial visits, weekend trips
- Tickets and entry fees for certain scheduled visits
- IELTS exam, teaching materials & tutor fees
General daily expenses, data plans and local transportation are not included in the programme fee. They are to be borne by students separately.
Caution Money
Students are required to pay HKD8,000 as caution money. It is non-transferable and does NOT form any portion of the programme fee. It will be returned to students only after their successful completion of the programme. Students who withdraw at any time for any reason will NOT get any refund. If additional cost is incurred after full payment, e.g. change in the exchange rate or fuel surcharge, it will be deducted from the caution money.
The programme activities of CALIS include all the meetings and workshops, the pre-departure briefing, all the scheduled classes and activities in the UK and the post-CALIS debriefing and review meeting. Students are required to attend all the programme activities. Absent from any activity/class or failure to submit any assignment may result in the forfeiture of the caution money in part or in full.
Budget Estimate
Programme Fee
• Approximately HKD53,000
Payment scale:
o University - 60%
o Student - 40%
Additional Cost To be Borne by Students
- Visa application fees
- Travel and medical insurances policies that will cover COVID-19
- COVID-19 diagnostic test before travel and/or after arrival, if applicable
- Inbound Hotel quarantine if applicable
HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund - Non-academic Awards (TDS & ROA)
- Students with CGPA ≥ 3.0 may also apply for this ROA scholarship as additional financial support.
- University sponsorship will not be deducted upon students' successful application for the ROA scholarship.
[SDS / Parent Dept will announce in February/March]
General Information
Visa application
Students are responsible for obtaining the necessary visa and checking that their passport hold a 6-month expiry period at least when they enter the UK. The cost of visa application and passport renewal is to be borne by the students.
The host university and CityU will issue the necessary supporting documents for visa application after the student list is confirmed and the deposit is made.
COVID-19 Preventive Measures
Applicants are required to check out the latest information on the related website from time to time.
Insurance matters
CityU is providing group travel insurance to participants, please refer to the webpage of the Finance Office at: https://www.cityu.edu.hk/fo/studentlan/htm/Stu_Insurance.htm
However, students are required to take out travel and medical insurance policies that will cover COVID-19 during the whole programme.
Enquiry
Ms Maidie Lo
(852) 3442-9148
maidie.lo@cityu.edu.hk
Miss Stephanie Chan
(852) 3442-6172
chan.stephanie@cityu.edu.hk
Information Session - To know more about CALIS 2024
