A group of students from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) completed an unconventional internship last month that gave them a glimpse into ordinary working lives.
University students are usually assigned to commercial corporations and public institutions to gain work experience, but the 31 HKU students went to grass-roots workplaces, including a fish stall, funeral parlour and roasted meat shop.
The unconventional placement programme was designed to let students meet people from all walks of life and enhance their communication skills.
Year Three medical student Andrew Cheng Kai-chun worked at a fish stall for three days.
Working from 7am to 11am, Mr Cheng experienced firsthand the hardships endured by fishmongers.
'It was really hard work. In spite of the long hours and backbreaking work, the workers at the fish stall never complained. I was impressed by their dedication to their work,' said Mr Cheng.
'I am a medical student and I spend most of my time reading. If not for this internship, I would never have experienced what life is like working in an everyday setting like a fish stall.'