Hong Kong Society
By ANGELA HE
As cultural diversity continues to enrich our school community, the Hong Kong Society offers students a unique space to explore and celebrate the vibrant traditions, history, and customs of Hong Kong. Created with the mission of fostering a deeper appreciation for Hong Kong’s culture, the club has grown into a hub for both students from Hong Kong and those curious about the region’s rich heritage. Through a series of events, activities, and outings, the Hong Kong Society plays an essential role in promoting cultural exchange and building connections across campus.
The Hong Kong Society was established to reate a welcoming environment for students to connect with their cultural roots and share their expierences. According to cohead lower Meghan Tate Zee, “Our primary goals are to bring the Hong Kong community with PEA together over fun activities and yummy food. Our goal is to not only celebrate Hong Kong culture but also to educate others about it.”
The club hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including regular meetings, dinners, and discussions that highlight significant aspects of Hong Kong’s culture. These activities not only allow members to share their backgrounds but also invite others to engare in meaningful cultural exchange. Lower Sophia Xue added, “Participating in these events has helped me learn so much about my own culture while also sharing it with my friends.”
In addition to fostering cultural appreciation, the Hong Kong Society also emphasizes community building among its members. The club has become a supportive network where students can connect over shared experiences and backgrounds.
Cohead and upper Sebastian Ting highlighted this sense of belonging, stating, “We want everyone to feel like they have a place here, whether they are from Hong Kong or simply interested in learning more about it.”
As lower Artur Novaes Ferreira described, “Though I’m not from Hong Kong, It’s amazing to see how the club brings people together.”
Looking ahead, the Hong Kong Society has fun plans—have a good time and deepen its cultural impact on campus. The coheads are currently working on new collaborations with other cultural organizations as well as campus outings and fun dinner plans. Zee mentioned, “HKS meets for dinners in Elm, dinners in restaurants/activities with catered food, and we are planning to do fun games such as Kahoot.”
Similarly, cohead upper Allegra Lai says, “We are really hoping to get more club dinners in this year, especially with new students from Hong Kong!”
When asked why they applied for leadership positions in the Hong Kong Society, the coheads expressed a deep personal connection to both the club and their cultural heritage.
Lai shared, “I was inspired to apply for cohead of HKS because growing up in Hong Kong is a big part of my identity—I remember there was a mixer for new students in Hong Kong and I was so nervous, but I ended up meeting two of my really close friends there, one of which was a past HKS cohead!”
Likewise, cohead Zee was driven by a passion for sharing Hong Kong’s rich traditions with a wider audience. “It’s important to me that more people understand the beauty and complexity of Hong Kong’s culture, and leading this club gave me the platform to do that,” she explained. Her shared vision is to continue growing the club as a welcoming and educational space for all students.
The Hong Kong Society continues to be a vital part of fostering cultural awareness and community on campus. With its dedication to both celebrating and educating others about Hong Kong’s unique heritage, the club offers students a platform to embrace their identities and connect with peers from diverse backgrounds. Through engaging events, discussions, and good food, the Hong Kong Society remains committed to enriching Exeters cultural landscape. As the coheads and members look forward to future activities, they hope to inspire even more students to join in and discover the beauty of Hong Kong’s culture.