Welcome to Inscribe: A Journal of Undergraduate Writing, hosted by the English Language Centre (ELC).
Issue 11 unveils a selection of short stories and articles that originated in ELC and CAR EWR subjects in the academic year 2025-26. Student authors have continued to refine these compositions through Inscribe’s interactive editing processes with ELC faculty.
The theme of travelling along those paths less trodden winds its way through this latest issue. Six student authors travel to new locales where they gain personal insights into the complex faces of humanity. Along the way, these young scribes encounter love, terror, and profound opportunity.
Natalie Fung begins the journey on the twisting, tree-lined trails of her short story “Through the Darkness.” As the light dims and evil stirs, dare you follow her into the twilight?
In “Do We Oversimplify Art the Same Way We Oversimplify Humans?” Jie Duan pulls readers back onto city paths as she finds herself in the reflective halls of the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Here, she coaxes us out of the caves of our minds to look beyond the flickering shadows as we contemplate the mysterious complexity of art and ourselves.
If your answer to the question “Who am I?” is found in the phrase “you are what you wear,” this next article is tailor-made for you. Fiona Poon dons her detective cap as she navigates the treasure-filled thrift shops of Hong Kong to uncover the motivations behind the latest fashion trend. Slip into something comfortable as you enjoy “From Trash to Trend: How Hong Kong’s Thrift Culture is Redefining Fashion.”
Natasha Nur travels a longer path than most of her fellow scribes. In “Lost in Translation: Language Barriers Reshaping Social Identities,” the author discovers that the end of her ‘Yellow Brick Road’ is not quite what she imagined. Her personal struggles and resolutions are revealed in this campus diary.
Despite the challenges inherent in moving to any new country, Isabel Li is utterly enchanted by her new home in “A Love Letter: Dear Hong Kong.” This cross-cultural romance burns deeply throughout its intimate pages.
In our final article, Felix Lin flies over Victoria Peak on his way to Abu Dhabi and new heights in “Climbing the Diplomatic Ladder: My Journey from Anxious Novice to Inspired Leader.” While negotiating at a Model United Nations far from home, this student attaché encounters the intricacies and thrilling opportunities of international affairs. His personal reflections provide an appropriate final seal to the journey of Issue 11.
Congratulations to these six undergraduates on their engaging writing. Please do enjoy their thoughtful stories and intimate insights.
Issue 11 was produced and delivered with the invaluable service of the ELC editing and technical teams. A special thanks to the student artists, William and Anoushka, who created the article banners. Thank you all.
Sincerely,
John Lawrence
Editor-in-Chief
Inscribe: A Journal of Undergraduate Writing in Asia is hosted and supported by the English Language Centre of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.