Four NUS students turned a week-long visit to Hong Kong into a meaningful opportunity to build cross-cultural connections and grow as arts leaders.
From 16 to 23 June 2025, Glenda Yoon (Y2, Law), Megan Neo (Y2, Law), Renee Chia (Y3, Arts and Social Sciences), and Tricia Yee (Y3, Design and Engineering) took part in an arts exchange with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). During the same week, they also attended the SWEAT Hong Kong International Dance Workshop Festival 2025, organised by The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA).
The four NUS students are active leaders in the university’s dance scene — serving as outgoing and incoming Exco members of NUS Dance Synergy, NUS Dance Ensemble, and NUS Jazzttitude. Additionally, Glenda Yoon and Megan Neo are NUS Performing and Visual Arts Scholarship recipients and Renee Chia is pursuing a Second Major in Performing Arts. During the exchange, they facilitated cultural sharing with student dancers from Hong Kong and learnt from acclaimed artists and scholars. The experience sharpened their leadership skills and offered valuable insights they now bring back to the NUS arts community.
Fostering international arts and cultural exchange
The university exchange began with students and staff from NUS and HK PolyU introducing their respective arts groups and festivals. This was followed by short dance classes conducted by both schools, allowing for hands-on sharing of techniques and styles.
NUS students giving a presentation on NUS Arts Festival to HK PolyU participants.
Renee Chia appreciated of the opportunity to exchange ideas and dance styles. “We had a lot of fun connecting through movement and dance. Despite the language and cultural differences, we did our best to impart and pick up new dance styles. Overall, we learnt to lead and listen with empathy and open-mindedness, resulting in a fruitful cultural and dance exchange,” she said.
Group photo of NUS and HK PolyU participants after dance classes.
Feeding body and the mind through dance
Following the exchange, the students dived into a packed week of learning and exploration at the SWEAT Hong Kong International Dance Workshop Festival 2025 — a multidisciplinary platform that engaged both body and mind. The Festival offered various workshops, paper presentations, lecture demonstrations, DanceTECH research showcases, as well as ArtsCross Hong Kong 2025.
The students took classes with acclaimed artists such as Jennifer Fleenor-O’Brien (.UNLID. Dance Theatre) and Mickael ‘Marso’ Riviere. They also attended lectures and presentations by distinguished speakers and companies, including Sarah Foster-Sproull (Royal New Zealand Ballet) and TAO Dance Theater, among others.
NUS students Tricia Yee, Megan Neo, Glenda Yoon, and Renee Chia with Jennifer Fleenor-O’Brien (middle) after dance class.
Through attending these, the students were exposed to a multitude of perspectives, frameworks, and practices that expanded their understanding of dance and its place in the world. They were introduced to new ways of moving, different research lenses through which to study dance, the impact of technology on dance and its future, and met many inspiring artists and scholars.
Overall, the group was thankful for the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of dance as an art form. Megan Neo said, “These enriching experiences highlighted how dance can be so similar yet so remarkably different in its artistic expression across cultures, time and space.”
Their participation in the University Exchange with HK PolyU and the SWEAT Hong Kong International Dance Workshop Festival 2025 by HKAPA is a testament to NUS’ commitment to empowering student arts leaders to build a stronger, more forward-looking arts scene and arts education within the University.
The experience has sharpened both mind and body. Returning with new knowledge, insights, and inspiration, they will continue to contribute to the NUS community and beyond — helping to shape a more invigorating and meaningful ‘Arts for All’ environment on campus.
NUS students with OSA staff Ebelle Chong (first from right) and Liyana Asyiqin (first from left) at SWEAT Hong Kong International Dance Workshop Festival 2025.
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