Source: My UM
To an outsider, a residential college may not seem that much different than a regular dormitory, but to the UM students who live there, it’s more like a home where everyone cares about everyone else. It may sound a little tacky to compare a residential college to a home, but ‘home’ is a word we heard repeatedly during our interviews with the master, staff, and students from the various colleges. What makes them love their colleges like a home? Let’s check it out.
Our Grandpa & Grandma
Prof Liu Chuan Sheng is the master of Chao Kuang Piu College. He exudes a warmth that draws people to him. You could always find him chatting with students in the college, even during a short ride in the elevator. ‘I’ve never lived with so many students,’ he says.‘The college is like a home to me. The students are like my grandchildren, and the staff are like my children. We really are like one, big family. ’
Prof Liu is an expert on plasma physics. But it turns out he is also passionate about history and other cultural pursuits. The walls in his living room are tastefully decorated with calligraphy works by his father Liu Hsing chih and paintings by his wife Jane H Liu. He believes that a teachable moment can happen anywhere in the college—the canteen, the activity room, even his home. ‘Face-to-face interaction is a great way to educate students and understand their needs. I hope these teachable moments outside the classroom can help students learn more about Chinese culture and develop a deeper respect for different cultures, people, and things,’ he says.
A one-time TV anchorwoman and interpreter for the United States Department of State, Prof Liu’ s wife Jane loves to host tea parties at home. These tea parties are both pleasurable and educational. The host and the guests would chat and laugh and make finger food together. Jane would teach the students dining etiquette and the correct format of formal English letters. Like Prof Liu, Jane exudes natural charm that draws students to her. She enjoys talking to the students, and they enjoy talking to her. During the days leading up to a High Table Dinner, she would prepare for the event with the students. ‘It’s very fulfilling to be a part of education for the next generation,’ she says.
Love the College like a Home
Rex, a third-year student from the Department of Communication, joined Chao Kuang Piu College in his sophomore year. Rex is proud to be a member of the college, and he feels very close to Prof Liu, whom he refers to as ‘our grandpa’, and the other college members, with whom he can talk about anything. ‘Our college is the best,’ he says. ‘The college master is like our grandpa. He would often ask how we are doing with our studies, and he would share words of wisdom about life with us.’ Caring about college members has become second nature to Rex. ‘Sometimes when something in the students’ rooms need fixing, I will help to contact a plumber. It may sound tacky to say the college feels like a home, but that’s really how I feel,’ he says.
Always Someone Waiting for Me
Living in the college means the students can always find someone to keep them company, whether they want to go to the canteen or the dance studio. ‘I never have to eat alone. It’s like a home where there is always someone waiting for you. College members are very close, and you will never feel alone.’ says Chin Ka U, a second-year student from the Department of Computer and Information Science, who is a member of Cheng Yu Tung College.
Prof Kou Kun Pang from the Faculty of Science and Technology is a fellow of the Stanley Ho East Asia College. He eats in the canteen with the other college fellows almost every day. ‘It’s like eating at home,’ he says. Working in the college, he has met many students from different faculties, and he likes to share his knowledge about farming, wine-tasting, and history with them. ‘I’m hardly an expert, but it’s fun to share what I know with them,’ he says.
‘I am living in the University of Macau.’
Dr Vivian Jiang from Shanghai Jiao Tong University joined the Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College as a fellow three years ago. Now she lives in the college with her husband, her five-year-old son, and her six-month-old daughter. On the day of our interview, Vivian took us to her home in the college. Jason, her son, was already back from school, waiting for our visit. ‘Do you like living here?’ we asked Jason. ‘Yes, very much,’ he replied in Mandarin as he jumped on the sofa. Jiang told us Jason is very proud to live in a university. ‘He often tells his classmates in school, “I am living in the University of Macau, and my mother is a teacher”,’ Vivian says. ‘He will attend the holiday celebrations and concerts held on the campus. The ambience of a university is very beneficial to children’s growth.’
Vivian has a very busy work schedule, with frequent college events to attend at night. Living in the college allows her to take better care of her work and her family. What she loves most about the college is the close bond between college members. ‘If someone is sick, the other students would immediately go visit him or her and offer to help,’ she says.‘I know some local students used to be upset about being far away from home and complained about the food in the canteen, but now it’s their mothers who complain about seeing them less and less, because they are not going home as often.’
