The couple, along with other supporters, provided funding for two drama students to travel to London and further their studies in Shakespeare.

The Smiths, who will return to the United States in August after a three-year stay in Macau, will sponsor an annual programme for drama students to travel abroad.

Each year two students and a teacher will travel to Reno, Nevada in the US, and stay with the Smiths where they will attend performances by internationally recognised Shakespeare troupes.

They will also attend Artown, an annual month-long visual and performing arts festival that attracts artists from around the globe.

Mrs Smith, who has had a lifelong passion for Shakespeare, said it was a great opportunity for students to learn more about something they are drawn to.

'We are targeting this towards students who have an active interest in drama,' she said. 'There will be plenty of opportunities for them to learn and see a great deal of things and it is great for us to be involved with the students.'

Tracy Chan Hoi-in was one of four students who travelled to London last year and she described the experience as 'amazing'.

The 17-year-old said it was her first major trip overseas and opened her eyes to a very different, yet perpetually fascinating world.

'Once I finish my studies, I want to save money to go back to London, it is a wonderful place,' Tracy said.

'I learned so much from watching the dramas. The acting was very good, unlike anything I've seen before.'

The highlight of the adventure was spending her evenings watching dramas and learning from the superb actors.

Tracy said she loved acting, but did not plan to follow it up as a career because it was difficult to make a living .

After graduating, Tracy is hoping to study English communication at university and become a journalist.