During the summer holiday, a schoolmate and I joined the Summer School for Effective Leadership, organized by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and the University of Hong Kong. My first impression of the ten day programme was that it would be the same as the previous leadership programmes I have joined. However, this perception changed completely after the ten days.

The target group of the programme ranged from local students to students from all around the world. The programme was scheduled with plenty of meaningful activities. As the theme of the programme is "poverty", several talks and lectures related to the theme was given. Another aim of the programme is to strengthen our leadership skills, thus we had quite a lot of leadership workshops and activities.

To me, there are two most unforgettable experiences throughout the programme. One of them is the 1-Day Children Visit at HKU, the other one is the adventure-based challenge. Concerning the former one, I deeply realized that there are many underprivileged people living around us and happiness should not be taken for granted. I was touched by the optimism of the children who came from unfavorable family backgrounds or are facing unfortunate situations. They were eager to contribute to the society, and even to the whole world. Another memorable experience was to buy the most resources with limited money provided. The difference between the prizes of the champion and the loser is a reward of a Japanese meal or bread respectively. Having put in great effort, my team got the champion. What we gained was not only a delicious meal, but also the great satisfaction brought by our achievement. More importantly, we perceived another meaning of poverty. We can obtain more resources because we have more money, but what if those grass root people are not as privileged as we are?

In addition to the above experiences, I also had a chance to have a taste of the campus life of HKU. For example, we lived in the hall of HKU, played lacrosse and hockey and attended high table dinner. On the last day, we even hosted a booth to exhibit our understanding of the poverty problem in Hong Kong.

At the last moment of the programme, we were so reluctant to part. Describing what my group mates and I have experienced in these ten days was beyond words. It is a very precious memory for me indeed.

"Summer School" is a horrible title to see, and "10 days' duration" a daunting period to hear. However, when I was about to immerse myself in the joy, time passed as quick a wink.

This is a global leadership programme in which youngsters from all around the world such as Korea, USA, Canada and Pakistan congregated in the University of Hong Kong for a series of training activities. All of them are preeminent elites who show a vast global vision, remarkable problem-solving skills, creativity, confidence and passion. Their potential qualities to be great leaders have profoundly impressed and inspired me.

Amid an array of courses, the most memorable lesson was given by Mr. David James Begbie, the Director of Global Village Life X-perience of Crossroads International. He expressed a thought-provoking idea in a marvelously hilarious way, saying that "Not everyone can be a Superman, for there are rarely few people who put their underpants inside out as Superman does. Yet everyone can be another Mother Teresa, since we have a mutual characteristic----wearing our underpants in a correct way." Given that you do your utmost in your own position, ‘be yourself' earnestly, and unearth your potentials, then you can become another venerable leader with irresistible charisma.

Besides, I have formed a tight bond with my dear group leaders and members including two girls from Korea and Taiwan. Soon after the end of the closing ceremony, we were bursting to plan for a reunion.

In a nutshell, breezing with laughter, I have got satisfactory harvests from this activity, and these 10 days are bound to be a period of precious memories in my life!

在過去的一個暑假，得到老師的推薦，我與另一位同學參加了由香港大學與香港青年協會合辦、為期十天的領袖營。在開始的時候，我對這個計劃的印象很模糊，認為大概也不外乎是普通的領袖訓練罷了；然而，這個想法在隨後的日子漸漸被改變了。

在第一天，我認識了將與我共處十天的組員，共有十一位。這個領袖計劃的對象很廣泛，不僅是香港區內的學生，還有很多來自世界各地的青年。

在其後的日子，我們的日程十分緊湊，可謂極為充實。是次計劃的主題是探討貧窮，因此我們參與了許多有關貧窮的講座及活動；而計劃另一目的是訓練我們的領袖技巧，所以我們也不乏領袖工作坊及小組挑戰。印象深刻的事有二，一是家庭環境不理想的小學生來到港大參觀，二是小組形式的歷奇考驗。從那些小朋友當中，我體會到幸福真的不是必然，有太多人仍然生活在水深火熱中；更令人感動的是，那些小朋友不會悲觀消極，反而是抱著一個積極的態度面對，每個小朋友心中也有屬於他們的夢想，希望對整個社會，乃至世界，作出貢獻。另一方面，在歷奇考驗中，我們需要運用有限的資金籌集最多的物資，而第一名和第十名獎品的分別，就是晚餐是日本料理和麵包與水之別。經過了汗流浹背的奔走後，我們奪得了冠軍殊榮。當然，我們獲得的，不但是一頓豐富的晚餐，還是享受我們努力的成果，更是體會貧窮的另一層意義。我們擁有的資金較多，也較容易獲得更多資源；那麼處於社會較低層的人呢？這是值得我們深思的問題。

除了以上兩件深刻的事情外，我還體驗了成為港大學生的生活，例如居住在港大校舍，嘗試港大特有的運動（長曲棍球﹑曲棍球）及參與高桌晚宴。在最後一天，我們用心製作展板展覽，內容都是圍繞貧窮的主題。

到了計劃的尾聲，我們都很依依不捨。這十天，我和我的組員經歷了很多，實非筆墨所能形容，彌足珍貴。

「暑期學校」的名稱叫人望之恐懼，「十天時間」的流程令人聽之生畏，對一名正在享受暑假的學生更甚。但當我才剛剛發現箇中樂趣，欲全情投入時，時光卻眨眼即逝。

這次我參加的是一個全球性的領袖訓練課程。來自全球不同地方，包括韓、美、加、巴基斯坦等的青少年聚首於香港大學，進行一系列的交流學習。他們全都是出類拔萃的精英，展示出廣闊的國際視野、卓著的解難能力、創意、自信、熱情等領袖素質，讓我讚嘆不已、眼界大開。

眾多講座中，我印象至深的一課來自國際十字路會「環球生活體驗」的主管大衛占士先生。他以極其風趣的語言說出一個發人深省的道理：並非每一個人都可以成為「超人」，因為很少人會像他一樣把內褲穿在外面；但每一個人都能成為另一個德蘭修女，因為我們有共同的特徵──大家都是把內褲穿在適當地方。只要人在其所屬的崗位職分上盡心竭力，活出真我，發展潛能，自然可以成為一位受人敬重、富有魅力的領袖！

此外，我的同組組長與組員是兩名來自韓國及台灣的女孩子，我們建立了深厚的情誼。結業禮一完結，我們已迫不及待地籌備重聚的事宜。

總括而言，是次活動，我在歡笑中滿載而歸，短短十日為我的人生留下了一段珍貴的回憶。