Programme Code: LLIA2020
Faculty of:
Managed by HKU Summer Institute
Target Students: HKU Undergraduates, Non HKU Undergraduates
Area of Interest: Asia Cities: Business, Culture and Society, Global Issues, Multi-location
Credits: —
Programme Period: June 29, 2020 to August 14, 2020
Programme Fee: HKD 43,800
Accommodation: Included
Discount: 10% off for students from HKU exchange partners
Early Bird Deadline: March 1, 2020
– 12% discount on programme fee (HKU partners’ students)
– 5% discount on programme fee (non HKU partners’ students)
– Priority in accommodation reservation
– Priority in social & cultural activities registration
Deadline for Application:
Online Application: 
Application Deadline: March 31, 2020 (HKT 23:59)
*Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible since places are limited.
The programme fee includes the following:
• Guaranteed Internship Placement in Asia
• Accommodation in Hong Kong and Internship City
• Airfare from Hong Kong to Internship City (Single-trip)
• Transport from HKU to Hong Kong International Airport (one-way)
• Networking events, social activities and orientation
• Certificate of Completion (non-credit bearing programme)
• Insurance
• Welcome kit
• HKU Facilities Access
About the Learn, Live & and Intern in Asia (LLIA) programme
Programme Description
Learn, Live & Intern in Asia (LLIA) consists of a 4-day seminar series at the University of Hong Kong, followed by a 6-week internship programme in Asia (2020 is in Shanghai).
This programme is designed to equip participants with a deeper understanding of the fastest-growing economic and business environments in the world through an in-depth exploration of Asia and Mainland China markets by having guest talks and firm visits with senior management of leading companies in Hong Kong.
This programme focuses on practical experience of the current business environment, marketing and branding, consumer behavior, and cross-cultural management in Asia and Mainland China. Series of seminars, guest speaker talks, firm visits and internships are the core components in achieving the programme objectives.
Most recently, with the “One Belt One Road” initiative raised by China’s government, local and international firms need to develop a new mindset if they want to be competitive in such a huge, diverse and fast-changing environment as Mainland China.
Participants will also acquire personal experience of a variety of cultures and societies, and develop truly international perspectives and practical work experience via internships in Mainland China and other Asian countries.
Programme Objectives
- to develop participants’ understanding of business management, marketing and branding involving culture, social, economic, political and environmental aspects in an Asian and Mainland China context;
- to enhance participants’ knowledge of Hong Kong/Chinese/Asian consumer behavior and corresponding business strategy required;
- to allow participants to acquire in-depth knowledge of the development of finance, technology, retailing, luxury and creative industry sectors in the Asian region and greater China market;
- to allow participants to develop cross-cultural management skills to work under a cross-boundary and multi-cultural environment;
- to allow participants to experience Hong Kong/China/Asia’s business environment and culture via guest speaker talks, firm visits and internship programme.
Programme Learning Outcomes
Upon completion, participants should be able to:
- Understand the roles of Hong Kong and China in the advancement of manufacturing and servicing industries in the Asian region;
- Understand about the development of various industry sectors in China towards year 2025, especially under the latest “One Belt One Road” Initiative;
- Recognize local consumer behavior, business practice and cultural values; acquire practical skills to develop and implement effective business strategy in Asian and China markets;
- Understand the major business management issues in the Asian region and China market, and acquire corresponding techniques to tackle them via cross-cultural management;
- Observe the key success factors of local and international firms, as well as the development of various major industry sectors in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Asia.
Programme Schedule
Seminars (9:30 – 12:30 ) & (14:30-17:30) and various company visits and activities in the first week of the programme.
Below is an anticipated timeline for the LLIA 2020 Internship Programme:
| Programme Period |
Check-in Date: Sunday June 28, 2020 Check-out Date: Saturday August 15, 2020 |
| Seminar Series at HKU | Monday-Friday, June 29 – July 3, 2020 (4 days) |
| Opening Ceremony | Saturday July 4, 2020 |
| Internship Period | Monday July 6 – Thursday August 13, 2020 (6 weeks) |
| Closing Ceremony | Friday August 14, 2020 |
| Accommodation Check-out date | Saturday August 15, 2020 |
Seminar Series at HKU – Guest Speaker’s Biography
Please click here for the PDF of the biography of our award-winning speaker – Professor Baniel Cheung.
Application Process
| December, 2019 – March 31, 2020 | Applications open: Please complete the online application form, with the required documents by the deadline. Interested applicants should submit an application as early as possible. Applications will be reviewed and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. For enquiries, please send an email to ugsummer@hku.hk. |
| From April 1, 2020 | Interview: Only shortlisted applicants will be notified of further interview arrangements wither in person or Skype. Applicants who do not receive any news within 14 working days after the application deadline will be considered as unsuccessful. |
| From April 1, 2020 | Offers: Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of their application results by email from the HKU Summer Institute. If your application has been successful, you will receive an official Letter of Offer from the HKU Summer Institute. You will then have 5 days to accept this offer and pay your programme fee in full. |
| May 21 – 31, 2020 | Placement Results: The placements are all to be determined solely by HKU Summer Institute and are not subject to applicants’ requests. |
| May 21 – 31, 2020 | China Visa (if applicable): Admitted applicants will receive the invitation letter issued by the company for visa application, you are recommended to apply for a visa to the designated country via its local embassy. |
Additional Application Materials
In addition to the application materials listed, applicants are required to submit:
- 1-page statement: Please answer the following questions, keeping your statement to the word limit of 200 words and upload your answers to the online application system in a separate file.
- Why do you want to spend this summer in China? If this is your first visit to China, please explain your reasons. If you have visited before, please explain in what context and why you would like to return?
- Resume:
- Personal Information: Full Name; Mobile & Personal Email
- Education (Current/Most Recent University, Additional major or minor (if any) & GPA, Year of Admission; Expected Year of Graduation)
- Work & Internship Experience
- Volunteer & Extracurricular Experience
- Language & Technical Skills: List all software you can use and any/all of your technical skills, such as programming, video editing, etc.
- Awards & Scholarships
- Home Return Permit:
- If you are a “Home Return Permit” (回鄉證) holder, please upload the most updated copy of “Home Return Permit” onto the application system, and state clearly in the file name
The application will be processed only when ALL supporting documents are uploaded to the online application system before the deadline.
*HKU Summer Institute reserves the right to cancel the course should there be insufficient enrolment or any unforeseen circumstances.
Visa Application
| Region: | Local HK Applicants | International Applicants (Not a HK Permanent Resident) |
| Hong Kong | Nil | Nil |
| Mainland China | Only Home Return Permit (回鄉證) is required. | “F” or “M” China visa |
You are recommended to apply for a F/M visa to China via the local Chinese embassy of your country of residence. You need to provide extra supporting document (proof of legal stay or residence status) upon application. For F/M China visa, please refer here.
Internship Companies
Please note this is only a selection of partner companies – we have an extensive list covering many sectors and industries which we cannot fully list here. You are guaranteed an internship placement and we will try our best to match your interests, skills, experiences and preferences, although depending on business needs and vacancy availability, we cannot guarantee a specific company or job role in the allocations process.
| Company/Organisation | Industry | Destination |
| BBDO | Advertising Agency / Marketing Agency / Business Solution | Shanghai |
| Omnicom Media Group China | Advertising Agency / Marketing Agency / Business Solution | Shanghai |
| Leo Burnett | Advertising Agency / Marketing Agency / Business Solution | Shanghai |
| Microsoft | Information Technology | Shanghai |
| Northern Territory | Innovative Technology | Shanghai |
| Cushman & Wakefield | Real Estate / Facility Services / Project Management | Shanghai |
| Dentons | Chambers | Shanghai |
| Siona Property Investments | Real Estate / Property Investment | Shanghai |
| MSL Group | Advertising Agency / Marketing Agency / Business Solution | Shanghai |
| Martec Group | Healthcare, Medical Devices, Life Sciences, Market Research & Building Construction | Shanghai |
| LRS Architects | Architecture | Shanghai |
| Mary Kay (China) Cosmetics Company | Cosmetic / Business Development | Shanghai |
| Perkins Eastman | Architecture | Shanghai |
| Savills | Real Estate/Research & Development consultancy | Shanghai |
| Shui On Land | Real Estate / Facility Services / Project Management | Shanghai |
| TBWA Shanghai | Advertising Agency / Marketing Agency / Business Solution | Shanghai |
| WSP | Building Service/Transport Planning | Shanghai |
Estimated Personal Costs
**Costs are an approximation and will differ depending on individual needs**
| Country: China / Hong Kong | Cost (USD) |
| Round trip Air-ticket (from home to Hong Kong) | 300-2,000 |
| Daily Meals and Transportation | 300-500 |
| China Visa Application | 30-150 |
| Miscellaneous and Personal Expenses | 500-800 |
Financial Assistance (for HKU Students)
Funding is available for HKU participants, please visit the website of International Affairs Office (IAO) for details.
Notes
• For information about HKU exchange partners, please click here.
• Students will have access to HKU Facilities including Cafeteria, Main Library, Flora Ho Sports Centre, Learning Commons and University Health Services. Meal expense, service fee and medical cost will be responsible by students.
• Students of non-credit bearing programmes will receive a certificate upon programme completion. Students of credit-bearing programmes can apply a transcript stated with HKU credits, please contact your home institution about the issue related to HKU credits recognition.
• In any case, students are strongly recommended to make their own insurance arrangements throughout the entire period of your programme. Students will be responsible for their own medical and dental costs during the period of the programme. Please refer to here (Point 5) for more information.