{"id":46982,"date":"2026-10-16T18:33:41","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T10:33:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/?post_type=school_news&p=46982"},"modified":"2026-10-16T18:47:57","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T10:47:57","slug":"terri-kongs-growth-from-understanding-society-to-healing-communities-through-expressive-arts","status":"publish","type":"school_news","link":"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/tc\/school_news\/terri-kongs-growth-from-understanding-society-to-healing-communities-through-expressive-arts\/","title":{"rendered":"Terri Kong\u2019s Growth from Understanding Society to Healing Communities through Expressive Arts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Terri Kong<\/strong> graduated from the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Government and Laws)<\/strong> and the Bachelor of Law programme, and later completed the Master of Expressive Arts Therapy <\/strong>programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences<\/strong> (FOSS) of The University of Hong Kong. She currently serves as a Programme Manager at a family philanthropic foundation, where she develops and manages strategic programmes in cultivating and promoting the way of living well.<\/p>\n

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Seeing Society through Multiple Lenses<\/strong><\/p>\n

Terri entered the BSocSc (Government and Laws) programme at HKU hoping to understand the world from a different angle. Having been more familiar with numbers and scientific principles during her secondary school years, she was drawn to Social Sciences to explore the ideas, institutions and relationships that shape society.<\/p>\n

The programme was challenging. At times, the readings gave her a headache, but tutorials were where much of her learning came alive. Professors and tutors asked fundamental questions that encouraged her to move beyond black-and-white thinking. Instead of looking for a single correct answer, she learned to hold different perspectives, examine her assumptions, and ask why society works in the way it does.<\/p>\n

Studying politics, public policy and political philosophy gave her a deeper appreciation of how societies are organised and governed. Law offered another important lens, showing her the complexity of power relationships and the importance of procedures and principles in upholding fairness and justice. These subjects did not simply give her knowledge; they changed the way she made sense of the world.<\/p>\n

Her HKU experience also extended beyond the classroom. Living in hall allowed her to pursue her interest in the arts. She joined the drama team as an actor and later became a co-director. Creating a production involved late nights, uncertainty and disagreements, but it taught her how to listen, accommodate different views, stand firm when needed, and work towards a shared goal.<\/p>\n

Her exchange at Sciences Po in Paris was another unforgettable experience. It was her first time in Europe, where she learned French, met students from different parts of the world, and explored the city and country on her own. The experience stretched her beyond her comfort zone and helped her reconsider presumptions she had once taken for granted.<\/p>\n

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Discovering Healing through Expressive Arts<\/strong><\/p>\n

Terri\u2019s Master of Expressive Arts Therapy was a different but equally transformative chapter. While her undergraduate studies trained her to analyse the world around her, Expressive Arts Therapy invited her to turn inward \u2014 to notice her emotions, understand her experiences, and develop greater compassion for herself and others.<\/p>\n

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The classes were highly experiential, combining lectures and readings with creative processes and authentic sharing. Through her practicum, she worked with students with special educational needs, parents and caregivers, older adults, stroke survivors, and people living with dementia. She was deeply moved by the inner strength and creativity people could draw on, even in difficult circumstances, to find hope and love.<\/p>\n

Through the programme, she came to appreciate the power of the arts and the healing potential of simply \u201cbeing\u201d and \u201cbeing with\u201d another person \u2014 accompanying them so that they can feel seen, heard and accepted.<\/p>\n

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From Lived Experience to Social Change<\/strong><\/p>\n

Terri\u2019s commitment to social change was also shaped by her lived experiences. She has older relatives who care for a family member with disabilities, while another relative has worked as a frontline cleansing worker. These experiences made her aware of the challenges faced by people whose needs and contributions are often overlooked and instilled in her a desire to contribute to a more caring society.<\/p>\n

Her interest in education grew through a part-time job at a tuition centre, where she saw primary-school students arrive exhausted after a full day of school, only to complete more assignments. Seeing students being scolded for falling asleep, even though their tiredness was understandable, made social and educational issues feel personal to her.<\/p>\n

Over the course of her career, Terri has worked across the social sector. She has taught in a primary school through a teaching fellowship, supported older adults on the frontline to improve home safety and age in place, and now develops and manages strategic programmes at a philanthropic foundation in partnership with community organisations.<\/p>\n

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These experiences remind her that programmes are not merely plans, budgets or output targets. They affect real people and should respond to lived realities. Philanthropy appeals to her because it brings together strategy, human connection and innovation. At the same time, she is mindful of the privilege and power dynamics of being in a funder role, and approaches her work with humility and careful listening.<\/p>\n

Looking back, Terri sees her path from Government and Law to Expressive Arts Therapy and philanthropy as non-linear. Her advice is to try different things, stay curious, and pay attention to the issues that continue to matter. She believes self-awareness, collaboration and systems thinking are essential, as social issues rarely exist in isolation. Above all, she recognises that social change work can be emotionally demanding. Developing practices that keep oneself grounded and nurture one\u2019s own wellbeing is essential to sustaining the contribution over time.<\/p>\n

Terri\u2019s journey reflects the FOSS\u2019s mission to nurture socially conscious graduates who can understand complex human and social issues with empathy, critical thinking and humility. Through interdisciplinary learning and real-world engagement, FOSS continues to groom future social changers who are ready to serve communities, bridge perspectives and contribute to a more caring and inclusive society.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","school_new_categories":[793],"school_news_tag":[],"thought_leadership_category":[],"department_category":[],"class_list":["post-46982","school_news","type-school_news","status-publish","hentry","school_new_categories-alumni"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t