Melo for me has been a showcase of the flimsiness of the barriers between the youth and the leaders of society. It has humanized these 'larger than life' figures while raising my own self esteem to be able to have more faith in my own ideas and opinions. The most exciting part of my Melo journey has certainly been the small, casual conversations and drinks I have had with the founders and the CEOs. While not any one specific event, the culmination and collection of all the Joint Discoveries, casual Zoom calls, drinks, and texts exchanged with the leaders of society is what makes Melo for me.

I really appreciated the tight community we have built in Project Melo. I was pleasantly surprised to experience cross-generational bonding and idea sharing, especially between some notable experts in their field in Hong Kong. Previously, I imagined CEOs to be hard-headed and unapproachable, but what I experienced in Melo was the complete opposite. These CEOs were some of the kindest and friendliest people I have ever met, and that gave me a great sense of belonging within the community.  Besides that, I thoroughly enjoyed mingling with open-minded and driven peers during the Joint Discovery events. These were some of the most genuine, humble and down-to-earth people I have met, which made the atmosphere much more vibrant and enjoyable. The thought of designing and launching an ecotour as an inexperienced year 1 proved highly intimidating. Self-doubt echoed through my mind while undertaking this impactful project. However, my teammates were kind enough to understand my position, noting that this was an excellent learning opportunity for all of us. They would have felt the same in Year 1 too. Their compassion and empathy were incredibly helpful for me to get into my stride and contribute. Gradually, I became more self-assured and confident in my abilities. I realised the importance of having good team dynamics. The diversity in our group allowed for one’s strengths to complement the weaknesses of others. Although launching an ecotour was filled with hiccups and challenges, I learned to take the next obvious step forward and trust the process.

There’s more assurance and security in following other people’s footsteps, but there’s more liberty and excitement in creating your own path. There will always be someone who’s better at doing something that already exists, but what if you get to start your own thing from scratch? As someone who loves adventures, Melo has truly encouraged me to stay authentic and go out of my comfort zone. The Melo family is made up of lovely individuals who have unique ambitions; being surrounded by these incredible friends have pushed me to be on constant lookout for unknown territories to fuel my yearning for new experiences. After all, how would you know if you’ve never tried?

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"How do we create impact?" This was the question that I asked to our 4 founding CEOs in my cover essay, as one of the candidates waiting to be selected as the 2023 Melo Fellowship program. After 6 months of hard work, countless weekly meetings with teammates & mentor CEOs and endless dedication, I can now say I (vaguely) know the answer to that question. In Project Melo, I participated as a mentee and collaborated with the CEO of the global travel platform 'Klook' and V'air, an HK-based ecotourism start-up, to promote eco-tourism and low-carbon travel in Hong Kong. After months of hard work and 3 trial tours to finalize the rundown of the tours, we were able to receive a positive response from Klook's management and listed the actual product on Klook. Go check it out! (Indulge in Nature: DIY Tea Cake x Mindfulness Ecotour in Hakka Villages)Besides the 'serious' accomplishments we achieved, what I valued even more is the memories and insights we gathered along our Melo journey. Through monthly conversations with CEOs I would never have imagined to meet, and visiting venues that would need months of saving up for (The Suite of Penninsula Hotel!), I was able to picture the future me that I want to be, and share the dreams of compassionate fellow Melo fellows who never stop to astonish me. Although it was tough, I was able to make my dream of spreading the value of sustainability a reality with the guidance from our fellow CEO mentors. What about you? What are your dreams? Join us on our melo journey, where we can transform our personal aspirations, into the common inspiration of our future. Now its your turn!

Project Melo has been an extraordinary catalyst for my personal and professional growth, evolving from a quest for exposure into a profound learning experience. Initially driven by a desire to explore opportunities beyond academia, my involvement introduced me to diverse organisations like the Big Bang Academy and Preface, equipping me with valuable networking skills and strategies for empowering youth. However, it was the concept of "social sustainability" that emerged as a defining aspect of my journey. I came to realise that providing opportunities to young people was just the tip of the iceberg; the key to lasting impact lay in comprehensive preparation through workshops and readiness programs. Professionally, Project Melo refined my networking abilities and deepened my understanding of social sustainability, laying the foundation for future collaborations. On a personal level, this experience reinforced my passion for effecting positive change in the lives of young individuals, inspiring me to continue working diligently towards empowering youth and fostering social sustainability. In essence, Project Melo has not only enriched my professional toolkit but also kindled a profound sense of purpose, shaping me into a more committed advocate for sustainable youth development, encapsulating this transformative journey in every sense.

The most exciting part of my Melo journey is truly around the people that I've met who share the same passion for bringing positive impact to society. From the Melo team, my fellow peers and the CEOs, it's enlightening to witness so many great minds all excited to bring more hope to Hong Kong. Through authentic conversations and the co-creation process of trying to solve real problems in society, I feel empowered to continue my own path in social entrepreneurship and make a difference. Reflecting back, realizing the importance of my voice has been a major part of my growth in Melo.  With this platform, I've not only met humble and engaging leaders but also felt uplifted to voice out my opinions and exchange insights with them.

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Looking back on all the ups and downs during my MELO journey, I think my biggest takeaway was to understand the importance of commitment and passion. Commitment makes you more determined in what you do; passion allows you to enjoy what you do. Creating impact and making changes is never easy. But with those 2 elements, I believe we could go a long way even with challenges surrounding us. Our commitment and passion helped us overcome challenges and complete our MELO journey, and I'm grateful to have had this experience during my university years. Besides, I think the most exciting part of our project was to witness the establishment of our ecotour from 0 to 1. By visiting Kukpo several times and discussing with CEOs and the team over and over again about the itinerary, I got a better picture of product development, stakeholder engagement, and marketing. Eventually, the tour was launched on Klook, and I hope it could bring some sustainable impacts to local tourism and society.

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Project Melo is a meaningful experience that has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone.My project, theme 3 paediatric patient’s recovery necessitated crossing linguistic and cultural barriers, and having authentically vulnerable conversations about difficult topics.Throughout this experience, I never knew what would come next, which really drove home the importance of taking things day by day, and focusing on what is ahead of me.Luckily, I was surrounded by a team of other talented, driven people, and supported by open-minded CEOs who inspired me with their passion for change in Hong Kong

The most exciting part of my Melo journey was interacting with the fellows from other teams as each of our projects progressed. Since all of the teams were assigned different themes and CEOs, I was always eager to hear from other fellows' experiences, from hilarious interactions they had with leaders to frustrating obstacles they had to navigate around - every time the group sharing session concluded, I was always left with a awe of what my peers have accomplished and a heightened sense of giddiness for the opportunities our team had coming.

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Buckle up, because I'm about to take you on a wild ride through my Melo experience! It was like strapping on a jetpack of excitement and soaring through a world of collaboration and social change.Picture this: I found myself rubbing elbows with CEOs, the big shots of the business world. It was like being in a room full of superheroes, each with their own unique powers and perspectives. Brainstorming sessions turned into epic battles of ideas, and workshops became training grounds for unleashing our creative powers.But the real magic happened within me. Along the Melo journey, I felt myself growing like a sprout on steroids. It was like someone had watered me with a special potion of knowledge and inspiration. My leadership skills sprouted faster than a jack-in-the-beanstalk, and my communication abilities became as smooth as butter on a hot pancake.The best part? Seeing our ideas come to life and making a real impact. It was like watching fireworks explode in a sky full of possibilities. We took those brainwaves and transformed them into real-life projects that could make a difference. The feeling of making a positive change in the world was sweeter than a triple-scoop ice cream sundae.Looking back, I can't help but smile like a mischievous Cheshire cat. Melo wasn't just a journey, it was an adventure of a lifetime. It lit a fire within me, a burning desire to continue sparking social change and leaving a trail of awesomeness wherever I go.

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When comparing my current self, still on my ongoing journey with Project Melo, to the Leon who has just embarked on this journey, I recognize the immense personal growth and expanded horizons I have achieved in the past year. The Opportunity Bank co-creation project provided me with an incredible opportunity to collaborate with three exceptional fellows, as well as Tommie from Preface and Sarah from Big Bang Academy; the project exposed me to many undiscovered social issues in Hong Kong, specifically concerning underprivileged and marginalized youth.Collaborating with the CEOs and the D. H. Chen foundation granted me invaluable insights, allowing us to develop multifaceted solutions to address these pressing problems. Moreover, it instilled in me a profound sense of gratitude for my university education and membership in the resourceful and dynamic Melo community. I have come to appreciate the power of leveraging these resources to create opportunities not just for ourselves, but also for others.One vital lesson I have learned, through both learning and firsthand experience, is that there is always more to be done. Although the co-creation project has formally concluded, I am acutely aware of the boundless potential for Project Melo to explore new avenues and further empower the youth of Hong Kong, and I look forward to continuing this journey with these amazing Melo people!

The most exciting part of my Melo journey has been the realisation that my work has made a genuine impact in terms of youth empowerment through my involvement in the Melo 2023 Roundtable Summit. The sheer joy and satisfaction I felt when people came up to both my melo team and I expressing their gratitude for the conversations we have provided is truly remarkable. Witnessing the array of different stories and perspectives of those who have interacted at the roundtable fuels my enthusiasm and motivates me to continue in making a difference!

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Before joining Melo, picture this: a young, eager 18-year-old with an overwhelming passion for mental health, but with a rather...shall we say, "shallow" understanding of the world.

On the very first meeting, sitting alongside top leaders like Bernard Chan, Alan Lau, and our co-founder Louisa Mak, I felt like a kid who accidentally walked into a movie set. During the whole meeting, I struggled to say a word. Why? A part of it is because I was stunned by Miss Hong Kong's beauty and the other part is the collective net worth in the room. (Kidding! But, seriously, it was intimidating!!)

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And I am going to be totally honest about the first few JDs. It was tough. I tried to muster up the courage to ask questions and failed so badly. I was the guy throwing out questions that might have made a few people wonder if I'd been living under a rock. But every eyebrow raised was a lesson learned.

Fast forward, and there I was at the Melo graduation, holding the mic and hosting the roundtable as a moderator. And sure, there might have been a controversial point or two (Kenny, I still remember that look of disbelief at what I said), but what I did that day is something that I can’t imagine myself doing before Melo.Melo has been my crash course in breaking out of my comfort zone. It's made me braver, sharper, and more than a little wiser. I've seen, met, and learned from the best, and it's given me a roadmap to be the change-maker I always wanted to be.

And for my passion? It's transformed from just being an emotion to a driving force behind real actions.

Looking forward to my next chapter with Project Melo. Here's to more raised eyebrows, learning curves, and making a real impact among youth!

💭 One of my most cherished moments with Melo is the night of our graduation. It was a real challenge when I completed my final exam in late May, leaving us with a mere four days to prepare our presentation. What made it even worse was that during the rehearsal, we discovered that our presentation was far from impressive. Louisa even came to give us some special hints and assistance, which made us even more panicked. So, we spent the entire day in the library fixing our mess. Right up until the actual day of graduation, we were still refining our deck and familiarizing ourselves with the scripts.During the graduation day, Kenny noticed our panic and frustration. With a kind smile, he urged us to enjoy the process, even if we failed. Moreover, Don and Randy provided warm support before we stepped on the stage and even suggested that we have some wine. 🍷🤣The reason why this is my best memory in Melo is not only because we fought together as a team 👥, but also because I could see the precious Melo values: genuineness and support. Through this experience, I learned how to embrace failure and take on challenges even when success seemed unlikely.

The most exciting part of my Melo journey are definitely the once in a lifetime opportunities to explore industry “secrets” — from the secret kitchen visit at McDonalds to the history-filled archive room at the Peninsula Hotel, from the inspirational sharings by leaders of all fields to the heart to heart conversations between Melo members and CEOs, these unique events were exciting and thought provoking. The co-creation process also allowed me to grow as a person, through working with my teammates and also working with CEOs from McDonalds and Humansa, and I improved so much for my communication and writing skills throughout the journey.

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Looking back at my journey, one of the most exhilarating moments was the realization of how it broadened my perspective. It pushed me to step outside my comfort zone, becoming more attuned to the larger community. It wasn't just personal growth, but also a deepening connection to the Hong Kong community that I've always felt a desire to contribute to. In the year leading up to Project Melo, I found myself gradually losing my enthusiasm for caring about those beyond my immediate “bubble”. However, this journey reignited my passion for looking outward and making a positive impact in the world. The opportunity to engage with global leaders who share a similar concern for the world, and the chance to collaborate and take action, is an opportunity I truly couldn't have found elsewhere.

In my Melo journey, the most exciting part is definitely about the amazing, talented and wonderful people here. I am really grateful that Melo provides me with the precious opportunity to chat with industry leaders, other melo fellows and melo social members. I truly treasure every single genuine conversation with them, as there are so many things I could learn from them.  Reflecting on my Melo journey, I was surprised that we had explored so many themes together, such as art and culture, leadership and our home - Hong Kong. It really opened my eyes to new perspectives, encouraging me to appreciate the significance of art and culture, which I would not do in the past. In addition, I learnt from the industry leaders about what leadership is, which helps me to become a future leader. In conclusion, it is my honour to be part of the Melo community, where I can grow along the journey.

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My favorite moments have been interacting with all our CEOs and founders during talks, events, and networking sessions. Learning about each of their distinctive career paths and the advice they have shared has been instrumental to my own journey and forming my own unique perspective.  Another cherished moment is my final presentation with my teammates. Our project revolved around the future of work and the effects of covid-19. The research that went behind this project was truly eye opening, especially since I was just entering the workforce myself.

In a world where capitalism fails, socialism corrupts; hard workers are rewarded, lazy thinkers are resulted; mobilized crowd turns silent, hopelessness lurks for another revolution; then history repeats, yet never really improves; The utmost romance may be - never give up seeking even when we are confined by reality.

Constantly bouncing back and forth between having conversations with CEOs and youths is both intriguing and REALLY thought-intensive, when the former is the experienced UHNWIs who have already unlocked the wisdom to shift in realities, while the latter is the resemblance of wildest dreams and youthful romanticism who hold a fervent passion to change the world for the better.

During the project, I was founder of the youth project Infinita, which captures different youth stories through exhibition. I have interviewed youths of diverse profiles, be it top scorers or grass-roots, multi-talents or marginalised, while listening the exact opposite views from the ultra-wealthy CEOs in the society bi-weekly. I am privileged to work with CEOs of leading corporations, including Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, MWYO and Two Sigma, to amplify youth’s voices. I treasure both the sparks that were steered in the conversation I had with different CEOs, and the well of thoughts that lingered in my mind for days after interviewing. All these conversations with various society stakeholders have contributed to the climax of my melo journey - Melo Summit, where I could confess, as the speaker, the structural gap I realised between generations and social statuses. The tears that I saw in the eyes of the CEOs, social leaders and scholars were unbelievable to me: I was able to move leaders twice my age, double my wisdom, with only one thing – authenticity.

The most exciting part of my Melo journey was speaking on stage to an audience of CEOs, startup founders, and my fellow peers at the Melo summit, whilst knowing the event was being broadcasted by the SCMP. It was a nerve-wracking and challenging experience that was definitely out of my comfort zone at the time. Luckily I was surrounded by all my other Melo fellows who I am sure also felt similarly nervous, but as a collective, we were able to support each other towards our shared goal of delivering an outstanding event. More than anything I think Project Melo's core strength is its ability to build a community of drastically different people, who come from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life, but who share the common denominator of having a deeper underlying drive of purpose. Doing things meaningfully, with passion and heart has been and always will be the Melo way.

During the journey, I faced a lot of different challenges, whether it be the details of the project or the communication and relation within our team. Although it isn't as smooth sailing as I originally intended, I am truly thankful of the experience it gave me. Had it been smooth sailing like I originally intended, I would probably get my nose high up and be swallowed by my pride. And Project Melo gave me a good wake up call.Project Melo reminded me the importance of the presences of team work under all circumstances. Listening to the others to correct your mistakes while standing firmly by your own core value. I am truly thankful of the experience Project Melo shared with me and I shall continue foward with these valuable lesson I learnt.

Exciting doesn’t even begin to describe the Melo Summit. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase a project that held a special place in my heart before a global audience of like-minded individuals. From the immersive experience of donning full headsets to the humbling sensation of standing on stage, I can still vividly recall the day as if it were yesterday. However, the journey leading up to the summit was just as transformative and exciting.Over the course of six months, I had the privilege of learning from remarkable guest speakers to engaging in casual chats during team dinners. Through it all, I honed my teamwork skills, refined my communication abilities, and cultivated a newfound sense of confidence when interacting with individuals who possessed greater life experience. As someone who joined Project Melo in Year 1, feeling lost and confused, I am grateful for the support and fun from the Melo community, even amidst the challenges of the ongoing pandemic. One can only imagine the heights that could be reached if the circumstances were different!

Most exciting part of my Melo journey?— Being able to go through Melo with my teammates, and Gary and Steph. Yes, Melo summit was a huge deal and it was exciting. But these people were like my family. We helped each other through touch times. There’s been times where we were so sick of having to meet each other 7+ times a week. But thinking back, I’m so glad I got to do so. If hadn’t, I wouldn’t have bonded with these amazing people. Without them, I wouldn’t have made it.

The most exciting part of my experience was definitely the Melo Summit of 2022. It literally felt like reaching the summit of a mountain and gazing out at the breathtaking view in front. Our group was composed of people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, majors, and so on, and we were working on a theme that we had no prior knowledge or experience. Regardless, we worked hard, and while we did face a lot of difficulties or troubles along the way, we were just delighted at the fact that everything worked out fine with results that satisfied all the parties involved. We grew as a team, learned from each other, and finished as a whole. It was a moment that I will never forget and one that I can look back on with pride and joy. What else can be more memorable and exciting than this? It's only possible through something like Project Melo :)

17 July 2022

Getting drunk for the first time might be a good way to end this journey 🤭…The whole thing is like living a life. Despite all the highs and lows, I never regret being a part of this. This is truly eye opening, how people with different backgrounds and values can get together and pulled off all these projects and the Summit. Getting to know everyone also helps me understand more about myself and the kind of people I want to become. It’s just such a shame that we didn’t have many opportunities to meet people from the other groups ;/

Of course, shit happens, but as the melo slogan goes - GET SHIT DONE. Now I fully understand what it means at the cost of feeling 5y older now 😄

To conclude, it’s absolutely a tough but rewarding journey. It may take weeks for me to get over the mental fatigue. Super grateful anyway

It is a dream come true.‍

The Melo Summit 2022 wraps up my amazing journey with Project Melo! I have always been aspiring to share motivating and inspiring ideas in TED Talks, but I have never imagined that I will have the opportunity to speak on stage alongside John Tsang, Michael Moriarty and Arthur Shek at the age of 21. It is a dream come true to share the voices of the youth to corporate leaders on such a big occasion.

My Melo journey taught me things about myself I never knew about. I used to be so hesitant to break past my boundaries and couldn't do any more than just bend them a little bit. With the help of Louisa, Randy (McDonald's HK), and Fred (Bowtie), I learned to shift the narrative and actively seek out difficulties rather than avoid them. I saw the power that came with authentic engagement and realized how necessary it was to put every ounce of passion into every little thing I did. Every conversation we shared had the perfect mix of intimacy and guidance and I will always look back at my growth with pride. A year before Melo, I hated public speaking and didn't bother to try anything different from those around me. At the end of Melo, I was doing a TED talk to over 500 CEOs and grew to love talking to new people. Now, I go out of my way to discover the special stories each person has and throw all of my love into every meaningful opportunity.

By joining Project Melo, I not only gained valuable connections, but I got to experience activities, and events that could not be experienced elsewhere. Melo Summit 2022 is an especially unforgettable memory. When would I ever get another chance to speak in front of hundreds of people and deliver my story in a TED Talk format? I believe that this is really a 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience. Listening to CEOs and intelligent fellows helped me to be more open-minded and provoke curiosity as well! I still remember the first joint discovery event and the iconic quote from the CEO: “Get Sh*t Done”. I was surprised with the wording but at the same time, I could realize how Melo events make everyone stay authentic. It is really fascinating opportunity to share those authentic and ‘real’ stories of others and share mine simultaneously. I am thankful to be part of this journey to improve my soft skills and make good friends.

Reflecting on my journey with MELO, I truly appreciated the opportunity I was given, to dive into some key elements within the society that have been overlooked during our daily lives. The most exciting part was to be able to discuss with top executives on critical topics which brought me life-changing insights and allowed me to embrace the world in a wider perspective.

Hope I can experience more of my life.

Public speaking and storytelling have been my dream since day one. Those kind of genuine and heartfelt stories that build rapport and spark inspiration with the audience.  Hope I can experience more of my life, and someday return with more meaningful stories to be shared, with more meaningful changes in the making.

The Melo Summit stands out as my most exhilarating experience. We had the chance to present our discussions to CEOs who really care about and prioritize the well being of youths in Hong Kong. Feel empowered by the simple act of being heard!Reflecting on my journey, I was surprised to see how much I grow in communicating ideas, both as a listener and as a speaker. This journey illuminated the value of empathy, care, and active listening. It was through this process that I learned to respect the perspectives of others and came to appreciate and respect my own ideas instead of self-slighting.

You’re the only one who’s holding you back.

I was so excited to meet many leaders and directly interacted with them. I normally see them on TV or magazines so it was a very valuable opportunity to learn from them in some casual occasions.

At first, when I was not sure about the implication from the CEO’s side but I hesitated to further ask questions to clarify. Slowly it was clear that it would affect our communication so I learned to ask stupid questions to make even the most miscellaneous things clear.

Where there's will, there's a way.

The most exciting part of your Melo journey

Throughout the whole process of our Utopia Food journey, I get a chance to think about the ideas and be shooter in our promotional video. I haven't imagined that and turn out it is real. Although it's a bit hard for me since I am very shy in front of the camera, it's so exciting. I have learnt lots of things from Yenn and other peers.

Do you recognise your growth along the journey?

Initially, I thought I could not handle to join such a big-scaled project. But now, through the joint discovery events and the advice from CEOs and all Melos, I learn to analyse the things step by step. Many of us are great influencers and I get inspired by them. I hope this precious experience can further help me excel my strength in the future.

"People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader leads, and the boss drives." — Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States

The McDonald's visit is definitly the most unpredictable part of the journey, the secret kitchen we visited and the leadership talk held is extremely unforgettable, the content is very applicable to my academic and social life as I have a lot of group projects going on simultaneously, in which leading and communication skills are very important. Never have I thought something that I learnt in the weekend could be applied in the next week, which was very surprising and encouraging.

I joined project Melo with a low expectation in myself, I feel like us students have no power in changing anything, especially engineering students. After graduation, we just join engineering firms and live goes on, I never knew that the world is so big and with a proper amount of support and knowledge, creative ideas can become the reality. Looking back at where I start, I wouldn't say I have grown much, but my perspective on the world changed.

My Melo journey has been very fruitful and inspiring. There are truly a lot of exciting experiences and if i were to pick one, it would be the co-creation project with CEO. The end product is definitely impactful but I find the process most exciting. Provided with the chance to pitch our ideas to a CEO, I get to reflect on my shortcomings and understand the thinking process of a CEO. This is a very precious opportunity as I would never have such experience if I did not join Project Melo. I truly agree with the four founders' idea of starting such a special project instead of a simple internship and I would like to thank all the parties that have participated in making this happen.

I have grown a lot through listening to different successful individuals sharing their stories and even working with some of them. Instead of learning different skillsets and knowledge on an area, I am able to develop a whole new mentality for life. I have always been very competitive, trying to get to the highest possible in all areas. But when I have encountered different brilliant individuals, I understand I do not have to the best in everything and should always learn to accept and even cooperate with individuals who are stronger than me. I believe every individual has his/her own distinctive position in the society and we certainly do not have to compare too much with each other. This is certainly an important life lesson and Project Melo has assisted me in developing such mentality.

Having the chance to meet and exchange ideas with "very important" and powerful people, when I am just a small potato. Get to feel empowered and know that my voice is heard. I am also surprised by the authenticity, sincerity, and openness that these leaders displayed.

Before I was very reserved (maybe still am), but I become more willing to share my views and thoughts with others. Through Melo, I also realized the importance of having or creating an atmosphere and platform that can foster genuine exchange, where people can truly express themselves while listening to others. In terms of technical skills, I think I have gained more experience in driving a project of my own, and in aligning the interests and concerns of different parties.

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讀多啲書 飲多啲水~

I love the "between coffee chat" the most since it was a chill and informal chat with Kenny and Randy. I was so surprised that they revealed their personal lives and tried to find out the thing in common between us. Sharing personal experience is always precious and rewarding for us, I love the chemistry that we created. I remember Randy once said I mean that means a lot to us that we feel the way they need us. And I am excited to go to nature bathing with them!!! :)

I learnt to be patient and understanding. People have different limitations and weaknesses, what we should do is try to compre- hend the whole situation before we give comments which may hurt someone's feelings. Besides, there will be opportunities waiting for you, we should always be patient and be prepared to face the challenges so as to shine your talent one day. That's what I have learnt from CEOs and my fellows and peers!!!

Stay hungry, stay foolish.

The Melo journey as a whole is full of wonderful surprises. One of the highlights would definitely be the visit to the headquarters at McDonald's Hong Kong. To my delight, we had the valuable opportunity to undergo its exclusive trainings and hear the stories of its diligent employees. In particular, Randy's sense of humbleness and innovativeness left a strong impression on me. I think McDonald's vision to continue serving the Hong Kong youth community is something worthwhile.

The Melo journey is for sure unforgettable to say the least. I really treasure the valuable opportunities to have genuine conversations with business leaders. The co-creation project is also challenging yet satisfying. In terms of my personal growth, I am now more comfortable communicating with C-level professionals, as well as working alongside likeminded peers to create impactful projects.

Dream Big, Act Small!

I enjoyed the most is when the genuine meeting with our beloved CEOs with Kenny and Randy, where two generations communicate peacefully. I would never expect Randy is so passionate and a pioneer in youth empowerment and social justice. We need more authentic communication ground like this!

Despite many working experience that I had compared to other students I know, working with students from other education institutions, experts in the field and CEOs while starting a project from stretch, I am aware of my inadequacy in problem-solving, design thinking and communication. As Winston Churchill once said "failure is not fatal it is the courage to continue that counts", the lessons and skills I learnt will be taken into all scenarios in life and my future workplace. My experience in the Melo project affirmed my intention to work with purpose and social impact in the future and when I am graduated.

Being part of the inaugural cohort of Melo fellows has been nothing short of exhilarating. When I first embarked on this journey, I had no idea what lay ahead or what I was stepping into. But now, as I reflect on the continuous stream of events, encounters with diverse individuals, and engaging conversations, I realize how this experience has broadened my horizons.In this program, I've had the privilege of rubbing shoulders with esteemed leaders from various sectors, including reputable figures in our society and prominent players in big corporations. Listening to their fireside chats and hearing about their genuine aspirations and visions has ignited a spark within me. It has reminded me to dream big, and not allow limiting beliefs to hold me back. The Melo program has instilled in me the importance of bringing lofty visions into reality, pushing boundaries, and embracing a beta mindset. It has taught me to constantly iterate my thoughts, challenge myself, and collaborate with others to bring ideas to fruition.Moreover, the program has shed light on the extraordinary fluidity and versatility of the human brain. It has encouraged us to tap into various resources to enhance the impact of our endeavors. During the ideation process, we were urged to unleash our creativity, engaging in spirited back-and-forth conversations with founders and seeking support from diverse sources. The growth that the Melo program offers is not easily quantifiable, as it is not a transformation that happens overnight. Rather, it is akin to planting a seed in our minds, which allows for infinite possibilities to blossom.One aspect of this program that shouldn't be overlooked is the expansion and strengthening of our thought processes. The impact of this growth is long-lasting, shaping our perspectives and opening doors to new ideas and ways of thinking.I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of Melo that shares my drive and passion. Together, we are creating a supportive community where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive.

Keep Smiling. Because life is a beautiful thing and there is so much to smile about.

I would say it is the whole package of "CEO" that is out of my expectation. Kenny is definitely a successful person, in a way that from the conservation with him, he balances his family, career and friendship well. His passion and humor influences me a lot! I never thought that I would in a day have a genuine, personal chat with a honourable person. To be honest, our team did not show up much under the spotlight of Melo project, and I am not sure how do the SVHK organizers evaluate our contribution these months. But actually each of us is taking small steps to go, though we are not showing significant feeling, like impressing others well or showing frustration like other groups did, I do hope my effort to our team project matters, and earns recognition by Melos.

Absolutely growing! Any of the conservation with CEOs provide me an insight in common: Great leaders are altruistic. They are people-oriented, and care about the dynamic society. I am so aspired to follow the shadow from them, and learn bit by bit to bring social impact. I still remember that formula from McDon- ald's: Trust x Respect=lnfluential power. I am already awaiting for the time that I can apply all the theories, not only that I learnt, but also that I experienced, to allow me to be a great leader of future.

Always be yourself and feel with your heart.

I didn't expect that we could have such sincere and truthful interaction with all our CEOs, founders and fellows during our Melo journey. And all these valuable memories will always stay in my heart . I am really glad that we inspire and learn from each other!

Before joining Melo, I was actually a bit worried and scared about the future as a year 3 student. But then, I tried to find my passion back through the journey and become more confident in myself. Will say that it's okay to feel lost but remember to find ourselves again and get back on track!

Treat others in the way they would like to.

I think the most unpredictable part is that I am able to listen to the stories from different successful CEOs which are very inspirational and motivational. These stories are all very unique which we are not able to listen to them except joining this program.

Throughout the Melo journey, I learnt a lot from fellows, peers and mentors, not only those concrete skills for example analytical skills, communication skills but also learnt how to be mentally prepared to face different hurdles throughout our life in the future.

Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you will land among the stars.

I am always excited to see how the CEOs are willing and wanting to hear more from the younger generations. Their genuineness and authenticity really brought the experience in Melo to another level. Most unpredictable part will definitely be the fact that me and my teammates "accidentally" became the author and illustrator of a kid's gamebook. I am pleasantly surprised on how far we could go with our potentials, and it allowed me to believe in my own strength more!

There were a lot that I have gained along the journey, especially from the sharings of CEOs and other guests. Their wisdom, and vision towards issues around did provoked my thoughts and reminded me to think deeper. I also have became more comfort- able in sharing my opinions. Although there definitely is still some room of improvement, I am thankful that I have took my first baby steps throughout the journey.

Looking back, Melo has brought me some of the most memorable experiences in my university days:) I realized how powerful we could be when working together to do good for the community. Seeing how big Melo has grown in these few years, I'm just sooooo proud to be an OG Melo 2021 fellow:) Thank you all for letting me be a part of the journey!

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." - Helen Keller

The most unpredictable part will be the first meeting with our CEO and the video production team. At first, I thought making a video is an easy thing. However, in this meeting, the video production team taught me a lot about how to prepare for filming a video, like deciding the proportion of the video, preparing questions to every stakeholder in the video and brainstorming the idea of how to end the video. Making a video is not that easy!

Yes! With the help of Peggy, the CEO working with our team, and our cooperated video production team, I learnt a lot about how to organise a project, step by step from planning to implementing. Also, I learnt how to communicate with different people to select a candidate to be the main character of the video and howto prepare for filming a video.

Keep challenging your old perceptions.

My most exciting part is when our team first gathered at SVHK's office to work on our co-creation idea after we met our CEO for the first time. I was so delighted to have them as my teammates. Even we are not yet familiar with each other at that time, everyone is so enthusiastic, concentrated and open to express and exchange our thoughts. We have a very diverse background, I learned new perspectives from them. It was the best brainstorming process I have ever had.

I become braver in voicing out my thoughts and ask for opportu- nities. Being inspired by the perseverance of all the CEOs, of what difficulties and failures they have encountered in the past, I also become more optimistic about my future, and have confidence in myself that I can make it through. One of the very unique characteristics that I spot on the CEOs is, they never ask why but they ask why not. I wasn't a smart or talented person, but why can't l?

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

The most exciting part of my Melo journey was the McDonald's experience because we had the opportunity to learn about leadership skills in such an interesting experience with the explorer theme. It was such a fun experience able to listen to the different talks given by McDonald's and also have a great time mingling with Melo peers and fellows.

I do not really recognize my growth. However, I was able to speak up to CEOs and other people more confidently and articulate ideas more clearly. Also, I've learned how to write and propose a business deck throughout this process. Also, I've just been inspired by the different keynote speakers, CEOs, founders, and fellows by their passion for what they are working on and their beliefs.

Do it with passion or not at all.

I never expected to bond with my teammates and mentors as much as I did, because as much as we were driven to decide on a project and develop it, we also became very concerned for each other and accommodating towards each others' ideologies. It was such a beautiful thing to be able to have these long discussions about the big and tiny details without fear of judgement,and the group dynamic we formed truly was a special thing to experience.

Interacting closely with my mentors and the various people they invited to our discussions gave me a comprehensive understand- ing and awareness of how business works, beyond what you learn in textbooks. I learnt what matters most in these high level discussions, and will always hope to get better at presenting my ideas in a way that connects with the people who are listening.

Don’t be proud of your affiliation, be proud of your creation.

We often assume that teenagers’ opinions are not as highly valued as prestigious people in society. The Melo journey has proven me wrong because CEOs are actually quite down-to-earth, and are willing to listen and share. The most impressive sharing to me would be from Randy, the CEO of McDonald’s HK, in which she has given Melo fellows chances to speak up and to express societal concerns. I definitely love her to-do spirit and youth engagement’s aspiration.

I would say the Melo journey has provided me with the lens to see through what shortcomings are in myself and how I should improve. Being humble is sometimes quite contradictory to challenging the status quo because on one hand, you value people’s opinion, but on the other hand, you want to disturb the old ways of doing things. The lesson that lies on me would be how I could balance the two and contribute at the same time.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformedby the renewing of your mind.

The most exciting part of my Melo journey was the McDonald's experience because we had the opportunity to learn about leadership skills in such an interesting experience with the explorer theme. It was such a fun experience able to listen to the different talks given by McDonald's and also have a great time mingling with Melo peers and fellows.

I do not really recognize my growth. However, I was able to speak up to CEOs and other people more confidently and articulate ideas more clearly. Also, I've learned how to write and propose a business deck throughout this process. Also, I've just been inspired by the different keynote speakers, CEOs, founders, and fellows by their passion for what they are working on and their beliefs.

The most exhilarating aspect is witnessing the transformation of our ideas into tangible actions. I never anticipated that our perspectives would hold such immense value, and I am genuinely grateful for it. Our CEOs, founders, and staff consistently demonstrate their recognition of our worth and contributions. I am not merely collaborating on a project with the CEOs, but also co-creating the Melo Program alongside the participants. Witnessing the tremendous growth and expansion of Project Melo within a span of fewer than five years fills me with immense pride.Thanks to Project Melo, I have gained a newfound confidence in expressing my opinions. Prior to joining the program, I would never have the courage to share my fledgling thoughts in front of such influential leaders. Moreover, I have become more at ease when faced with conflicting ideas. Previously, I would have been terrified of any disagreements within a group, but now I perceive them as opportunities for my team to better identify our needs and realign our course.

Project MELO is a self-actualization journey that helps me discover my “IKIGAI” - the intersection of my passion, profession, mission and vocation. The exciting opportunities of working with business leaders to create meaningful impacts on the environment and society has been a life-changing learning experience.

To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, to draw closer, to find each other, and to feel.

The most exciting part is that we get the opportunities to see new things, meet new people, try new experiences. I am glad that my Group's CEOs, Stephanie and Adriel, connect us with different other CEOs and sustainability leaders, such as John from Hang Lung, Juliana from Innotier, David from Green Monday, so we can have a deep conversation with them and learn! Each new person I met has taught me something!

After every meeting and joint discovery event, I have learnt something new, and become a more knowledgable and better me. The most important takeaway is still having a humble heart, and never stop learning!

Leaders are not someone with many followers, but someone inspire next leaders.

The most exciting part is definitely working with Randy and Kenny to co-create the Happy Meal's project. Little did I expect our ideas can come into reality, not to mention for a corporate with much publicity! Meanwhile going through the ups and downs, i.e. ideas conflict, over-promises, time management, etc. Really appreciate the resources and inspirations given by the two CEOs. The Melo Program did link me closer to the mindset of CEOs and the world.

100% yes! I really enjoy the idea of "experiential learning". I remember we start by putting too much assumptions on CEOs, their work, our capacity, etc. Tho the biggest takeaway is to be authentic in building a seemingly difficult relationship. By humble listening to veterans' experience and advice on managing corporates or self, I grow to be more reflective and expressive.

Don't be afraid to be the idiot in the room during meetings.

One of the most exciting part was being able to have some of the very down-to-earth conversations with CEOs. Initially, I thought they would only reveal the best version of themselves, little did I knew that they were willing to share some of their most difficult and challenging times they had and how they came out of it to achieve where they are now. It was inspiring to see how far they have come and inspires me to do the same.

I really enjoyed that fact we were able to make something out of nothing and bring that life. It really touches me that taking actions while thinking about an idea is way more important than just dwelling on the idea. It seems very intuitive but in reality we get so caught with our own thoughts and opinions and rarely take a step forward and see how things actually play out. Most of the time, it is about the willingness and passion to do something rather than whether you can actually do it or not.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world" - Mahatma Gandhi

The most exciting part of my Melo journey is the fact that I could connect with so many inspiring people and learn from them. I really enjoy the joint discovery events as well as the interaction with CEOs and other fellows. I particularly enjoy this two-way dialogue between us. All of their genuine sharing are very motivating and valuable to me, which I won't be able to learn first hand elsewhere!

It has been a truly rewarding journey for me. I fully appreciate the fact that nothing is perfect through all of the sharing and working directly on a project together. I have learnt to embrace the whole process but not just focusing on the outcome as every little step counts. I am very excited to make a positive impact on society in the future using the knowledge and skills I have gained here.

"Wherever you go, whatever you do, make a positive difference. " - Alan Dick (My primary school principal)

Honestly, every part of this Melo journey has been very exciting. What surprised me most was that I never expected our CEOs Stephanie and Adriel to be so open and give us so much of their time to listen to us come up with wacky ideas, or even just talk about life. Although it's not so much "unpredictable" as it is unexpected, they really are my favourite part of this Melo journey and I'm truly grateful.

Along this journey, I think I've definitely learned how to be more decisive and hungry! Through our long and arduous journey to finally decide on a topic, I've realised the importance of putting your foot down to make a decision. At the same time, this process has taken so long that I've also learned to enjoy the scenery a bit more even if it's not directly related to our goal. It's really opened my eyes to learn about more ideas and thoughts!