Why Hong Kong students are heading to mainland China to intern

More Hong Kong students are turning to mainland China for summer internships as government and university schemes expand cross-border placements.Students said they were drawn by greater opportunities in different sectors, hands-on experience in a larger market and lower living costs, with some viewing cross-border exposure as a career asset.The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau’s corporate summer internship scheme has expanded its number of mainland placements for young Hongkongers, with dedicated slots rising by 71 per cent since 2023.Launched in 2018, the scheme places students in mainland and overseas locations across sectors ranging from finance and property to biotechnology. Companies cover transport and accommodation, while salary or allowances are determined by individual firms.Mainland offerings rose from no fewer than 253 of 328 places in 2023 to 433 of 522 this year, lifting their share of the programme from 77 to 83 per cent, according to scheme data.Application numbers have risen in tandem, more than doubling from about 1,400 in 2023 to over 3,100 last year.