By Interns： Amy 、Hin
This artwork was created collaboratively by six of us, including interns and staff members at YGN. The theme was “What can I do to help others?”, and we chose hearts and hands as our central symbols.
We began by drawing a large heart in the center of the canvas, and each person then added a handprint. Together, they represent our shared commitment to supporting and empowering young people. More than anything, the artwork reflects the mission of Youth Global Network (YGN): people coming together, each contributing in their own way, to create opportunities and hope for youth.
My primary reason for applying for an internship at YGN was that I hope to enter the education sector after graduation and become a secondary school teacher. As society places increasing emphasis on mental well-being and awareness of neurodiversity (ND) continues to grow, the number of students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in mainstream schools is steadily increasing. However, educators with practical knowledge and experience in supporting SEN students remain relatively few. I believed that gaining firsthand experience in this area would not only strengthen my future career prospects but, more importantly, help me become a better educator.
The reason I aspire to be a teacher is that I do not want my future work to revolve solely around generating profits or earning a living. My dream is to accompany young people on their growth journey, helping them understand themselves and overcome obstacles along the way. Looking back, my own secondary school experience was far from smooth. It was only after changing schools and meeting an inspiring teacher that I was able to emerge from a difficult period in my life. Because of that experience, I hope to become the kind of teacher who once helped me.
The large heart in our artwork symbolizes not only kindness and generosity but also empathy and design thinking. I believe that we can only truly support young people when we first understand their needs. I strongly identify with the saying, “The greatest happiness comes from helping others.”
During my internship, my main responsibility was managing and developing content for @senergyhk, YGN’s social media platform dedicated to raising awareness of neurodiversity. I researched and created posts and threads focusing primarily on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These pieces covered not only information about neurodivergent traits and support systems but also authentic and inspiring stories from neurodivergent young people.
Whenever I saw that the content I created resonated with neurodivergent individuals of different ages and that readers found it helpful, I felt a genuine sense of joy and purpose. I sincerely hope that this platform will continue to grow and provide support and encouragement to many more people in the future.
I consider myself an empathetic person and a good listener, and over the years I have often become a trusted confidant for friends. I vividly remember conversations with my friend Hin, who often felt discouraged, anxious, and lacking in confidence because of difficulties finding work opportunities. After joining YGN, I felt that his background and interests would make him a strong fit for the organization. With some hesitation but also conviction, I recommended him to my supervisor. Fortunately, he was later accepted and joined YGN, where he contributed to the design of new educational programmes. Seeing him thrive confirmed my belief in his potential, and I am grateful that YGN provided him with this valuable opportunity.
The artwork also includes each participant’s handprint and individual drawings, symbolizing the diverse backgrounds, interests, talents, and perspectives that every person brings to YGN. Together, these differences enrich the organization and enable us to create innovative ideas that better support young people.
At another level, the different symbols in the painting remind us that every individual possesses unique strengths and qualities. Success does not require everyone to follow the same path defined by society. Sometimes, a different path may be the one that is most meaningful and suitable. I firmly believe that everyone has their own gifts and potential. Given the right opportunity, those strengths can shine.
This has been one of the most important lessons I learned during my internship at YGN: young people do not need to fit a single mold to succeed. What they need is the opportunity, encouragement, and space to discover their own path and contribute in their own way.
My name is Hin, and I am currently a second-year Civil Engineering student at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to join YGN as a summer intern this year.
Strictly speaking, my journey to becoming a YGN intern was far from straightforward. Looking back, it truly felt like a path arranged by God, as I had never even heard of the organization before. Since I study in the UK, I wanted to gain some practical work experience during the summer break. However, my search for an internship was unsuccessful. At the time, I was also feeling overwhelmed by concerns about my future career and academic workload, while struggling with a lack of confidence in my own abilities.
At that moment, my friend Amy, who was interning at YGN, introduced me to the organization. She explained that YGN not only provides valuable work experience for young people but also offers opportunities to learn technology-related skills through workshops and hands-on activities. She encouraged me to join. As I was not enrolled at a local Hong Kong university, I was not eligible for the government-funded Innovation and Technology Internship Programme. Fortunately, Dr. Tsang was willing to accept me as a volunteer intern, for which I am deeply thankful.
At the beginning of my internship, I felt very nervous entering a new environment. However, when Norman invited me to sit in on a Blender and programming class with a group of young people, I found myself enthusiastically sharing my passion and interest in technology with others. Before I realized it, my nervousness had disappeared. Thanks to my prior knowledge of STEM subjects, I was able to learn more about 3D design using Blender while also engaging in conversations with other participants about topics such as robotics and buses.
In addition, I was given opportunities to help design STEM courses, including planning the materials instructors would need and identifying the knowledge students could gain from each workshop. Drawing on my background in civil engineering, I immediately thought of ways to introduce engineering concepts through hands-on activities, such as designing earthquake-resistant structures, building paper bridges, creating tsunami barriers, and constructing solar-powered model vehicles.
Throughout the internship, I also acquired many new skills. I learned how to type Chinese using the Quick Cangjie input method, create 3D models using Tinkercad and Fusion 360, and troubleshoot issues related to 3D printing. Unexpectedly, I also had the chance to learn coffee brewing at Alternative Café and experience a slower pace of life at Yat Gan in Kam Tin.
Overall, this internship not only allowed me to develop new skills but also gave me valuable insight into the working environment in Hong Kong, including how to balance work and personal life. More importantly, it helped me regain confidence in myself. I believe the knowledge and skills I have acquired will benefit me greatly in my future studies and career.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the staff at YGN for providing me with this precious learning opportunity. Their support and encouragement have made this an unforgettable and meaningful experience.