A group of 20 Hong Kong students will experience a day in the life of a Qingdao student when they visit China next month on an eight-day exchange programme.
The students, ranging from third-to sixth-formers, will also get a taste of life as Qingdao citizens and farmers.
The programme is being organised by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG), the Shangdong Youth Federation and the Qingdao Youth Federation.
The HKFYG has organised similar student tours of the mainland, with visits to Shanghai, Beijing, Inner Mongolia and Guangdong, but this is the first time the programme is focusing on a rural location off the familiar tourist track.
Paul Chan Kam-cheung, HKFYG deputy executive director, said Hong Kong students should see other aspects of life in China besides big city life. 'Shangdong will be a big change of scene,' Mr Chan said. 'There's splendid scenery to enjoy, but the students can also see the heavy industry that's been a feature of the area for a long time.' The students will visit schools, and spend a whole day with the Qingdao students. They will also go out into the fields and give the farmers a helping hand.
Student representatives Chan Yawen and Leung Wai-chi, both 17, said that while 'playing at being Qingdao students' they would also take the opportunity to introduce Hong Kong to their hosts.