Different Voices and discussion about hall culture and its value

As about 90% of hall residents is UG among which 94% is local, 10% is PG.(Data source: Hall Education Report ) Some disputes of culture conflicts is always put on stage. It is complained that halls are full of local cultur which is difficult for non local hallmates to really involve in. Some international students found them hard to adjust to "hall culture" due to culture gap. Especially for the exchange students. They think it's childish to do everything together. But some think that they like this kind of atmosphere.

Cheng Xiaoyi, a local student, She said there are special occasions for local students and non locals to introduce themselves to each other as to promote friendship across cultures and cultural understanding of foreign universities. "Living in hall can develop your sense of belonging here. Maybe Due to language communication , culture differences ,Non-local students sometimes feel less engage in hall activity, these days our Wardens is so good that he facilitates communications like competition and language training program to encourage more participatio."

Language Problem

Leo, year 2 student, from Beijing, China, for him, Cantonese is the language of communication, as the majority of the residents are Hong Kongners and speak the native dialect. Sometimes it will set a barrier for mainland and international students. However, the hall-mates are encouraging and helpful to guide the non-local students to adopt the traditional hall activities. “Language is a major problem in joining the hall activities.”

Joseph, a loca student, as a former SA member (2007~2008) in Morrison Hall, said, "what we want to promote is that they try to concern each other, they don’t need to spend too much time on activity, treat floor mates like family member. Having dinner, watching TV together, they’ll develop their relationship from that benefit." Now he is about to graduate, he said the most unforgettable thing is hall life during the college years which gives him the good memory and opportunity to develop interpersonal skills.

About Hall Activities 

About Regulation

Jarrod, exchange student from Johannesburg of South Africa, “The hall for me is a place of eating and sleeping, not for socializing. University is the place for teaching people of the real world and experiencing more. looking after people seems to be childish."

Too many activities? Little time on studying? Low GPA on some hallmates? However, they do have precious merits.

Li Xiaoyang, now living in St' John's College, "Living in hall like living in a small society, after 3 year of living, you will gain a lot from it. What else the hall emphasis is the core value, which including the open-mindedness towards the critical opinions of others, show your respect and understanding to different cultures etc, to encourage. all around development is the key notion in hall. You will know a lot of people from different majors, while in mainland China, the students in same major are usually arranged together, to my point of view, it’s lack of diversity."

Alice, a tutor of Lee Shau Kee Hall, 3 phd candidate, in IT education, "Local and non-local languages issue always put on stage. I don’t see it’s a problem, no matter who you’re where you come from ,the purpose of the hall  is to bring us together, the more we talk, the better understanding we will get."

Besides, some universities in Singapore are importing hall model from HKU. Like NUS, it also has the similar hall system and strict hall regulations. However, hall system in Hong Kong is unique, though it's still controversial to some degree.

Halls provide an outstanding opportunity for students to learn how to balance their priorities, their obligations and opportunities. As one Warden summed up his submission:

If we cannot maintain the traditions of Halls, we will loose a great asset of HKU, and indeed of Hong Kong. If a Hall cannot renew its traditions, it is irresponsible and will loose its cause for existence.