Read our students' stories that start from the CUHK and go further beyond.

The most valuable thing about the internship is the unique experience of working at a winery in France. It was a rare opportunity to explore the art of wine-making directly in Bordeaux. Through this internship I have developed a passion for french culture. Not only did I learn about wine production, I also experienced the French way of living and their food culture. At the winery, I was taught the procedures of wine-making. I gained a comprehensive understanding of the steps that transform grapes in the vineyard to wine in the bottles. Apart from the technical knowledge, I think the most precious thing I gained from the internship was friendships. Since harvesting is the most busy time of the year, there were a lot of seasonal workers hired to handpick the grapes. Most of them are immigrants from different parts of the world. Despite the cultural difference and language barrier, they took great care of me and tried their best to communicate with me. I am grateful for the multi-cultural experience and was deeply touched by their kindness.

The most difficult thing about the internship is the physical work of wine-making. It was physically demanding to pick grapes and handle the heavy machinery at the winery. However, through the hard work there I have learned to appreciate the craftsmanship of wine-making and the way French people care deeply about their traditions. My coworkers are truly passionate about keeping their culture alive and they are constantly trying to incorporate new technology into wine-making to improve the wine they make. Another difficult thing was the language and cultural barrier I encountered during harvest lunch. I was not familiar with French etiquettes and felt quite stressed in a French-speaking environment. However, it was still an amazing experience since I tasted many authentic French cuisines and delicious wines made on the property.