Entrepreneurial dreams in silence: the inspiring journey of Yun Xiaoge
When I remove my hearing aids, the whole world falls silent, which means I can concentrate on my writing and thinking one hundred per cent. High concentration means high efficiency.
For Yun Xiaoge, a student of the Master of Arts in Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management at Lingnan University, silence is not a barrier but a unique strength. Having suffered severe hearing loss at the age of four due to ototoxicity, she has never allowed her condition to hinder her pursuit of knowledge. Instead, it has forged a spirit of remarkable resilience.
Before arriving in Hong Kong, Xiaoge majored in Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages for her undergraduate degree. After graduating, she ventured into several sectors ranging from education to trade, with her career taking her across Indonesia and the Middle East. However, seeking to break through a bottleneck in her ambitions for an entrepreneurial career, she decided to enrol in the Master’s programme at Lingnan, hoping to bridge the gap between her practical experience and theoretical knowledge. She describes Hong Kong as a window to the world, and Lingnan as the runway for her next take-off.
Returning to campus life, communication posed the greatest hurdle. Initially, Xiaoge harboured deep concerns about class presentations. She worried not only about the accuracy of her pronunciation, but also feared missing crucial points during lectures. Fortunately, the comprehensive support provided by Lingnan for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) helped her find a sense of belonging quickly.“Long before the freshman orientation, the Office of Student Affairs contacted me to find out about any difficulties I might encounter in my studies,” Xiaoge says.
From the configuration of assistive hearing devices to reasonable adjustments like extra time during examinations, Lingnan supports the needs of hearing-impaired students. Yet what has touched Xiaoge most is the warmth of the Lingnan community. She expresses particular gratitude to her Programme Director Prof Albert Ko Wing-yin, Director of the Office of Service-Learning and the Lingnan Entrepreneurship Initiative, for his attentive guidance. She also credits the Office of Student Affairs with recommending various AI tools. With the combined support of technology and caring staff, she has a strong foundation for her academic journey.
Portable induction loops are available at the Office of Student Affairs and the Fong Sum Wood Library at Lingnan University for students with a hearing impairment.
To ensure Xiaoge can participate fully in the whole Aquatic Meet, the Office of Student Affairs assigns a staff member to accompany her.
Apart from studies, Lingnan University regularly organises diverse activities with priority for SEN students. For Xiaoge, the most memorable of these has been a community Boccia event, where she met and played alongside people with mobility issues, sharing laughter and joy.
This experience has left a profound impact.“ Sometimes for them being caring is not giving money or some special kindness. What they want is just to be treated like ordinary people, and given a sense of social engagement.” Understanding this has taught her about the spirit of social entrepreneurship.
In this digital age, the use of technology in learning goes without saying. But Xiaoge maintains a clear-eyed approach to the relationship between humans and machines. Considering her critical thinking skills honed through Lingnan’s liberal arts education, she notes“However, we must accept that they are just tools, and independent thinking and critical analysis are the key abilities that we need to have and keep. If we rely on AI completely, it will be a pity how much innovation and creativity we lose!”
“Never be afraid of any change, be a part of it.” This is Xiaoge’s motto. When discussing the future, her eyes shine with determination. After graduating, she plans to first establish roots in Hong Kong to study corporate operations while exploring opportunities in gerontechnology. “Only by being open-minded and willing to challenge can we see a bigger world,” she says.
As she quietly gathers strength, Xiaoge is steadily building up her network and experience, and waiting for the right moment to continue her entrepreneurial dream. In a silent world, she is preparing to play the most resounding symphony of her life.
