join our fun & transformative community
FOR STUDENTS
join our transformative community
FOR STUDENTS
"One of the best decisions I made at the beginning of my university life"
Welcome to Lead for Life! Lead for Life is a character leadership programme that easily works alongside the first two years of your undergraduate curriculum at HKU. By joining us, you become part of a supportive community committed to values that will help you live your life purposefully and grow as an effective leader. We welcome students of all backgrounds. Regardless of whether you are introverted or extroverted, possess unique abilities or face difficult challenges, Lead for Life is dedicated to helping you realize your full potential!
Hear Our Student Stories
One of the best decisions I made at the beginning of my university life
Joining Lead for Life was one of the best decisions I made at the beginning of my university life. Transitioning into university can be intimidating but Lead for Life provided me with a supportive and harmonious environment, complete with mentors and friends who made the transition feel safe and helped me prepare for the journey ahead.
Helped me step out of my comfort zone to foster new relationships
Lead for Life has helped me improve myself significantly. As a shy and introverted person, the program has helped me step out of my comfort zone and seize opportunities to foster new relationships. I have grown in confidence and can now seamlessly converse during interviews and with new people in internships without the jitters I used to get. I hope to continue growing and experiencing self-improvement in the coming years.
Equipped me with the mindset and skills to face adversity
The past year has presented no shortage of challenges, both professionally and personally. Lead for Life equipped me with the mindset and skills to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to change, and maintain a positive, solutions-oriented approach even in the face of adversity. I learned to reframe obstacles as opportunities for growth, celebrate small wins, and draw strength from my support network. This resilience will be crucial as I take on greater responsibilities and face increasingly complex problems in the future.
Challenged me to critically evaluate my values, beliefs, and biases
My interactions with peers and mentors in Lead for Life have challenged me to critically evaluate my values, beliefs, and biases, enabling me to develop a more inclusive and compassionate leadership style. The program has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, take risks, and view failure as an opportunity for growth. I also learned the importance of prioritizing the needs of others and using my skills to contribute meaningfully to society. Leadership is not about personal recognition but about uplifting and empowering those around me.
A much-needed opportunity to focus on my personal and professional development
As a busy university student, Lead for Life has provided a much-needed opportunity to focus on my personal and professional development. One of the key benefits of the program has been the chance to connect with the other mentors and mentees. It has been wonderful to meet this community of like-minded individuals who are also striving to grow their leadership capabilities. Through our discussions and collaborative activities, I feel that we are truly supporting one another on this journey.
Really shown me what it means to flourish
My mentors are incredibly kind and generous, and the way they manage to connect personal success with the ability to stay connected with their communities and cultivating selflessness has really shown me what it means to flourish. In university, it’s very common to be focused merely on achieving the best grades, the best internships, the best job opportunities, and it’s a very tricky mindset. Lead for Life has helped me bounce back from that sense of relentless ambition and add serving others to my goals for success.
A deeper understanding of what it means to lead a fulfilling life
As I explore the concept of flourishing, I envision a life where I am continuously learning, growing, and making a positive impact on others. This involves finding a harmonious balance between my personal and professional pursuits, nurturing meaningful relationships, and contributing to the well-being of my community. Lead for Life has provided me opportunities to learn from the experiences and insights of others, broadening my perspective, challenging my assumptions, and developing a deeper understanding of what it means to lead a fulfilling life.
Comforted me a lot, particularly during times of stress
My mentor group has helped me understand character leadership and how I can flourish. We chat about our life experiences, and despite coming from different backgrounds, we can still resonate with each other in some ways. This fosters compassion and kindness, as we respect and pay attention to each other, allowing an exchange of ideas and special bonds to form. The stories shared have taught me that I shouldn't limit my views or be anxious about trivial daily matters. This comforted me a lot, particularly during times of stress.
Helped me learn to encourage and accept myself, growing in confidence
In the past, I used to belittle myself and view myself in a negative light, which led to a lack of self-confidence. Since joining L4L, I’ve experienced a warm and encouraging atmosphere in every gathering. Even when I share incomplete or imperfect passages due to nervousness, I feel that the mentors and group members are willing to listen with tolerance and affirmation. This has helped me learn to encourage and accept myself, growing in confidence.
Growing to be the best I can be
In my first year with Lead for Life, I’ve already learned a lot about myself. The program encourages self-reflection, helping me to understand how my actions and thoughts affect events, whether positive or negative. This has allowed me to make better decisions for the future. I look forward to the journey ahead, knowing more about myself through deeper reflection to continue growing to be the best I can be.
Helped me relate better to others with empathy
My journey with Lead for Life has taught me that being a good leader is about more than just accomplishing tasks. It's about who you are and how you handle yourself. I've learned the importance of resilience. My ability to bounce back from difficulties, such as improving my grades, has grown significantly. Additionally, I've come to appreciate the value of empathy. Interacting with different people in Lead for Life has helped me relate better to others, particularly members from my family and society.
I have become more compassionate and considerate
One of the key aspects that contributed to my growth in Lead for Life was the sharing of personal experiences by my peers. Listening to their stories and being able to resonate with their challenges and triumphs helped me develop empathy and understanding. This experience made me realize the importance of embracing diversity and appreciating the unique journeys we all undertake. I can connect better with others and have become more compassionate and considerate towards different perspectives.
Enhanced my ability to lead effectively
Throughout the Lead for Life orientation, we participated in a variety of team-building activities that required communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. Through these, I grasped the significance of active listening, empathy, and adaptability. I discovered the power of building strong relationships and fostering a positive team dynamic, which ultimately enhanced my ability to lead effectively.
Made me a more thoughtful and inclusive leader
Lead for Life has challenged me to truly listen to and understand others. Whether it's my teammates, the communities I serve, or people with vastly different backgrounds and experiences, I'm better able to recognise their unique needs, motivations, and perspectives. This empathy allows me to communicate more effectively, build stronger relationships, and make more informed and compassionate decisions. It has made me a more thoughtful and inclusive leader.
Why Join?
Community: Join a thriving community of over 500 students and 100 mentors
Friendship: Make friends with students from other countries and faculties
Mentorship: Be mentored by industry and community leaders in Hong Kong
Leadership: Connect with renowned scholars and leaders from global institutions
Flourish: Be part of a fun and caring environment that helps you and your community flourish
Join Our Student Taster sessions
Are you an incoming first-year, full-time undergraduate student at the University of Hong Kong for AY2024/25? Do you have any questions that would help you decide whether to join our Lead for Life community? If so, we invite you to attend our upcoming Student Taster sessions. You will have the opportunity to meet our team and experience Lead for Life first-hand. Space is limited, so sign up today!
You may sign-up for any one of the following sessions:
- Taster Session 1 (22 August 2024, Thursday, 2:30pm-4:00pm)
- Taster Session 2 (29 August 2024, Thursday, 10:30am-12:00pm)
The Journey
Lead for life is full of people who volunteer to give back to the community. Their commitment to you is free but it is not cheap. What they give in investing in your life invaluable. Our expectation is that you don’t take what we give to you for granted. In response, by joining our programme you are also expected to commit something vital – your time and effort. Your Lead for Life journey will consist of the following steps:
1. One Character Leadership Course
The Lead for Life Character Leadership Course equips students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to become effective leaders who embody strong character. Using an innovative, interactive multidisciplinary curriculum design, students will explore the foundations of character leadership from various traditions, both past and present, gaining a rich understanding of these timeless principles. This learning journey will cover personal growth, teamwork dynamics, and global challenges. Through engaging sessions and interactive tutorials, students will delve into case studies, reflect on their experiences, and design community service initiatives. Along the way, they will discover their own strengths, foster positive relationships with their peers, and emerge motivated to contribute to meaningful change in their community.
2. Two Years of Mentor Group Participation
Throughout the two-year journey with Lead for Life, students will actively engage with their mentor groups for support and encouragement. This interaction includes online conversations and guided exercises, as well as in-person meet-ups during Activity Days. These mentor group meetings provide learning communities of virtue, nurturing safe environments for students to develop lifelong friendships, explore character and leadership challenges in real-life, reflect on personal and professional growth, share experiences, seek advice, and foster a sense of belonging at the university.
3. Three Activity Days
Lead for Life Activity Days are set dates throughout the semester where students get the opportunity to engage in group activities, attend interactive workshops, and interact with a broader community of students across different mentor groups and year cohorts. These group activities can range from relaxed gatherings to experiential and service-learning activities within their mentor groups, allowing students to experience university life beyond their academic circles and fostering character leadership skills through engaging conversations and challenges. Additionally, students can deepen their understanding of character leadership with personal and professional development workshops tailored to their academic and career interests. These workshops equip students with targeted knowledge, skills, and attitudes to foster a deeper sense of purpose for success in university life and their future professions.
4. Four Reflection Assignments
Upon the completion of each semester, students are required to submit a Reflection Assignment, totaling four assignments over the two-year period. This assignment serves as a platform for them to recount their experiences and personal growth from the programme. They offer an avenue to share triumphs and challenges, examine shifts in knowledge and attitudes, showcase practical applications of character leadership, evaluate personal and community growth within the programme, identify areas for improvement, and set future goals.
Apply now to join Lead for Life Cohort 2024!
Attention incoming first-year, full-time undergraduate students at the University of Hong Kong for AY2024/25! Join Lead for Life and take the next step towards personal and professional growth. Apply now to secure your spot – space is limited! Applications close on 15 September 2024.
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