Mexico Refugee Service & Cultural Exchange Tour 2026

Starting in 2025, the United States implemented significant restrictions on refugee admissions and asylum policies. These changes aimed to alleviate pressures on U.S. communities and resources.

Historically, Mexico has served as a crucial transit country for migrants and asylum seekers from South America and elsewhere heading to the United States.

However, these U.S. policy shifts have resulted in many individuals being unable to enter the U.S., forcing them to remain in Mexico for extended periods. These refugees face intensified challenges, including blackmail, human trafficking, violence, and lack of basic necessities—many of them struggle to survive until they can safely relocate to the U.S. Additionally, the ongoing crisis in Venezuela continues to contribute to migration flows through Mexico.

For years, Mexico has played a vital role in receiving and processing refugees in North America. Yet, the rising influx of refugees has sparked controversy and concern recently.

By participating in this service trip, you will be able to: 

• Understand the refugee admissions and asylum policies in Mexico and America by visiting Mexico City and Tijuana and examine the problems that refugees bring to the local communities;

• Visit the refugees in Mexico and engage in community service to bring warmth and support to the local refugees;

• Visit one of the New Seven Wonders of the World—Chichen Itza;

• Take part in cultural exchange with Mexico’s youth and locals to immerse yourself in the local traditional culture.

Basic Information

Date: June 9^th to 22^nd, 2026 

Language: English

Quota: 24

Target: All students of Chung Chi College

*All participants must become members of the University YMCA (CCC CUHK). For member registration, please click here.

• Eligible students can enroll in the College upper-year General Education course GECC3130 “Exploration and Discovery” (E&D, 3 credits). Eligibility requirements for the 2026-2027 academic year:
  • In 2nd year of attendance or above (for students with a normative study period of 3 years or more)
  • No constraints on study year (for students with a normative study period of 2 years, applicable to those admitted in 2023/24 and before)

Programme Fee & Deposit

Fee: HKD $17,000 (including round-trip flight tickets, partial meal, accommodation, local transportation, travel insurance, and subsidies provided by the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong and Chung Chi College’s Eye Award scheme)

*The organizer will apply for external funding from the EDB (SSE) Subsidy Scheme for local participants. Eligible participants will receive a maximum subsidy of HKD $6,000 in addition.

Deposit: HKD $1,500 (After completing the activity, participants with a 80% attendance rate or above, a good performance, and participated in the ‘YMCA BE A GLOBAL CITIZEN CAMPAIGN’ will be eligible for a refund of the activity’s deposit.)

* Participants who obtained a gold badge in ‘YMCA BE A GLOBAL CITIZEN CAMPAIGN’ can receive an additional HKD $1,000 travel subsidy. 

📌The programme fee could be HKD $10,000 after deducting all subsidies.

📌The programme fee could be HKD $10,000 after deducting all subsidies.

📌The programme fee could be HKD $10,000 after deducting all subsidies.

Application method: Via Joint Application for Summer Programmes 2026 (JASP)

Enquiry: Mr. Eason Cheung (3943-9236 / easoncheung@cuhk.edu.hk)