Q1: Who are you and what is your background?
A: I am a Student Counsellor of the SDO. I am also a Registered Social Worker in Hong Kong. Prior to joining THEi, I worked as a school social worker at primary and secondary schools. As I am interested in the social service industry, I finished a master’s degree in Social Service Management at The University of Hong Kong in 2020.
Q2: What do you do?
A: My duties in THEi can be categorised into 3 areas. Firstly, as a Student Counsellor of SDO, my core duty is to provide counselling support. Students may encounter challenges varying from emotions, study-related stress to personal enrichment in their learning journeys, and we are here to provide them with support and advice. We serve all THEi full-time students, who are always welcome to walk in or book an appointment via phone or email.
Secondly, I am responsible for coordinating workshops and on-campus activities with a view to promoting psychological wellness among the THEi community. Workshops and activities are held on a regular basis on the themes of stress management and positive psychology.
Finally, I also provide support for organising service-learning trips and cultural exchange tours. By giving students the chance to learn from volunteer work in deprived countries and exchange with local students, our students would be able to broaden their horizons and gain a global perspective.
Q3: Please share an unforgettable experience at work.
A: I have joined THEi for almost 4 years and have gained much in the way of unforgettable experiences here. I am always glad to take part in THEi students’ growth journeys, during which I can develop relationship with them and witness their transformation. They also share their important moments of life with me after graduation. These are valuable experiences and rewards as a result of my work.
Q4: What is your view on student counselling in face of COVID-19?
A: I think it has been tough for every industry because of COVID-19, especially in the past year, when people were caught by surprise and uncertainties.
Counsellors had to extend the platform of counselling to MS Teams, different kinds of messaging apps and phone as face-to-face interview might not be possible under the quarantine measures. The online meetings might not allow us to observe students’ facial expressions or body gestures which were also important to our assessments.
Besides the change in mode of communication, students’ counselling needs have also varied because of COVID-19. Counsellors are handling more cases with anxiety problems provoked by adjustment issues. ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) students in particular, have difficulty adapting to new situations and they should be given more advice on preparing for even minor changes in life or learning mode.
Q5: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time?
A: I go hiking in my leisure time as I love the natural environment a lot. In autumn, I would go hiking every weekend as it is the most therapeutic activity for me. I believe that getting close to the nature is good for our physical and mental health. I have once joined a training in horticultural therapy which is using plants and gardening in therapeutic and rehabilitative workshops or events designed to improve human’s well-being, and I learnt how powerful the nature is.