From late July to August 2025, two undergraduate students from the Class of 2023 at the School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, traveled to the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to participate in an 11-day summer exchange program. The program aimed to broaden the students’ horizons, deepen their understanding of nursing practices and educational systems both domestically and internationally, and foster interaction and collaboration between the nursing departments of the two universities.

During their stay in Hong Kong, the exchange students visited local hospitals and elderly care service institutions to gain an in-depth understanding of the local healthcare environment and the operational mechanisms of the elderly care system. Through on-site observations and exchanges, the students gained a more intuitive understanding of Hong Kong’s distinctive features in emergency response systems, nursing processes, and interdisciplinary collaboration, and compared and reflected on these practices against current approaches in mainland China.

In addition, professors from the School of Nursing at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University delivered specialized courses introducing cutting-edge developments in nursing technology, including the clinical applications of smart nursing devices, telemedicine, and health monitoring systems. The course content, closely aligned with contemporary trends, inspired the students to engage in deeper reflection on future career paths and research directions in nursing.

Beyond academic activities, the program also included cultural experiences in Hong Kong. Led by the Hong Kong Ambassador, the students visited local communities and distinctive neighborhoods, experiencing Hong Kong’s unique cultural landscape and social atmosphere, which deepened their understanding of the city’s sociocultural context.

This exchange program not only broadened the students’ professional horizons but also strengthened academic ties and friendship between the two universities. The School of Nursing at Sun Yat-sen University will continue to promote such cross-border exchange and learning activities to help students grow into nursing professionals with an international perspective and humanistic literacy.

Figure 1: Group photo with graduation certificates

Figure 2: Group photo taken at the end-of-course presentation

Figure 3:  Sun Yat-sen University students with Professor Arkers Wong

Figure 4: Group photo taken on the first day of the project

Figure 5: Group photo on the Hong Kong Polytechnic University campus