The 2013 Cultural Practice Activity for Hong Kong and Macao Students, co-hosted by the Culture Ministry’s Bureau for External Cultural Relations, Hong Kong government’s liaison office, Hong Kong United Youth Association, and Macao Foundation, ended in Beijing on July 21, 2013.

This year marked the eighth session of the event. Over five weeks, participants from Hong Kong and Macao did internship at 15 museums, including the National Library of China, National Museum of China, Palace Museum and the National Art Museum of China.

Through the activity, students got to learn the working procedure and management mode of mainland museums. While accumulating professional experience and expanding their horizons, they were also touched by the dedication of the museums’ senior staffers.

Huang Yuehua, from the Institute for Tourism Studies in Macao, shared a story from her time at the National Library of China. One day when the library was closing, a farmer from Shanxi province came with two kids wanting to visit the library. While kids under 16 years old are not permitted to enter the reading hall, one senior staffer made an exception and offered to guide the visitors. “He sacrificed his time off to realize two kids’ dreams.”

Participants also took cultural trips, including touring Summer Palace, 798 Art Center, appreciating the Peking Opera Si Lang Tan Mu and attending arts lectures.

At the end of the internships, special visits to some museums were arranged, during which several participants gave explanations for others, as a small demonstration of their professional practice.

Chief Counselor of Hong Kong United Youth Association Ye Zhenying said that the internship program offered important opportunities for Hong Kong youths. A number of them continue to work at cultural organizations and contribute to Hong Kong’s cultural undertakings.

Director assistant of the Chinese Culture Ministry’s Bureau for External Cultural Relations Li Zongbao expressed the hope to provide more opportunities for Hong Kong and Macao students coming to the mainland. By improving the cultural quality and professional skills, they will perform better both in life and work.