Q : I applied for the China Synergy Program last year but was unsuccessful. Can I apply again this year? If so, do I have to re-send all the requirements that I did last year?

A : Former applicants who had not been selected before are also welcomed to apply for CSP again. And if you would like to apply, please send in your application, with updated information and relevant documents to the Secretariat by 15 January 2002.

　

Q : I truly enjoyed the trip and gained precious experience last year and was grateful to have such a splendid opportunity to learn about the Chinese heritage. I would like to know if I could apply again and join the delegation this year?

A : As competition is very keen each year and our resource is limited, therefore, it would be much better to leave the opportunities to some new comers. Therefore, past CSP delegates will not be considered again as student delegate this time round.

　

Q : I will be graduating in the summer of 2002. Am I eligible to apply for this program?

A : Graduating students are welcomed to apply.

　

Q : I'm a College student, am I eligible to apply for the CSP?

A : Basically, the CSP4 is open to students attending University, but there might be special cases that outstanding students attending Colleges could be successful. It depends on the College that you are studying at, your course of study and your performances in different areas, such as academic, extra-curricular activities, social services and special talents etc. The Colleges that we are referring to are those higher education institutions but not those secondary schools.

If you are not sure whether you are eligible or not, please contact the Secretariat for advice. However, you need to provide detailed information about yourself.

　

Q : I was born in the United States, are "ethnic Chinese youths", including Americans of Chinese origin, eligible to apply? Or this term refers only to those born in China?

A : "Ethnic Chinese" refers to all those of Chinese origin, no matter where he/she was born. And surely, it includes American of Chinese origin. We accept applicants who are ethnic Chinese on either paternal or maternal side.

　

Q : I would like to learn if there were any participants from Taiwan in the previous years? If yes, which universities were they from?

A : We have students from Taiwan universities in the previous years. And they were from Tung Hai University, National Taiwan University, National Taiwan Normal University, National Chung-Hsing University. However, students from other Taiwan universities are eligible to apply.

Q : For academic background, is it appropriate to send the Secretariat the photocopied student card?

A : In order to prove your academic background, please give us a copy of your college/university transcript. If you are student of Year One, please send us the copy of your public examination result(s) that you have taken before you enter the University and the copy of your current student ID card. No original certificate of any kind is required.

　

Q : Are there any other documents that I should attach with my completed application form? On the application form there is a requirement of “documentary proof{s}" for our activities and awards. What kinds of documents are required?

A : For documentary proof(s), we would like to have copy of the certificate(s) that you've got for your past activities/programmes/scholarships/awards etc., if possible. So as to certify/prove the records of activities/programmes/scholarships/awards etc. that you have mentioned in your application form.

　

Q : If I were nominated by my college/university, what would the procedures for the application be?

Would it be just to include a letter of recommendation from the college/university?

A : For Overseas students nominated by their University, please attach the letter of recommendation together with the completed application form. And for Hong Kong students, the Student Affairs Office of your own University/Institution will be responsible for making nominations to the Organizer, therefore, you have to contact and submit your application to your Student Affairs Office or equivalent unit.

　

Q : Can I send my application for CSP4 via email?

A : If you would like to send your application via email, please be reminded that you have to send the soft copy as well of all the relevant documents, such as application form, documentary proof(s), recommendation letter, if any.

Q : What is the application procedure for Hong Kong students? Should I send my application form and supporting documents to the Secretariat?

A : Since all Hong Kong delegates are nominated through the Student Affairs Office of their own institution, you have to submit the completed application form with relevant documents to your Student Affairs Office or equivalent unit.

Q : Do you require letter of recommendations and, if so, how many?

A : Recommendation letter is not compulsory, but it would be an added advantage for you, as the Selection Panel can know you better.

　

Q : Concerning the recommendations, I’m just wondering if it is required to send in recommendation letters from my teachers?

A : Recommendation letter from an academic staff or your previous employer of your summer job, placement etc. would be acceptable. Or if you have committed in a lot of community services and have received some letters of appreciation, they can be a kind of recommendation letter too.

Furthermore, since competition is very keen each year, recommendation letters could give added advantage for applicants, so that the Selection Panel can know you better. The most important thing is that the recommendation letter should be able to reflect and describe your outstanding attributes.

Please be reminded to send the recommendation letter, if any, along with your completed application form by 15 January 2002.

Q : I want to know if there is any interview required? If yes, when?

A : There will not be any interview for Overseas applicants. You are advised to send in recommendation letters and relevant documents, like copies of awards, scholarships, etc. along with your application form to the Secretariat, so that the Selection Panel can know more about you. For Hong Kong local students, since you have to be nominated through the Student Affairs Office of your University/Institution, therefore, please contact your Student Affairs Office or equivalent unit to check whether they require you to attend any interview or not.

　

Q : How important is the academic marks in your selection?

What about extra-curricular activities, social services and special talents?

A: Selection will be based on different criteria such as academic performance, extra-curricular activities, social services and special talents. Therefore, academic performance will not be the only factor that will be taken into consideration.

Q : I wonder if the Programme will be conducted in English, Mandarin, or Cantonese?

A : Since the student delegates will be coming from different parts of the world, English will be the medium of language for our Programme. Nevertheless, we do encourage delegates to communicate also in Mandarin or other languages. CSP4 provides you a great learning and exchange opportunity.

　

Q : Should the Application Form be written in Chinese or English, or both?

A: Please kindly complete the application form in English, except for the Chinese Name when applicable.

　

Q : Should the special recommendation be written in Chinese or English?

A : For the special recommendation, the recommendation letter can be either in English or Chinese.