Riding on a roller coaster [Reprint]

A university subject on leadership and intrapersonal development was delivered during the academic year of 2012-2013 to the first-year university students. The teacher taught four classes of totally 268 undergraduate students coming from four different disciplines. The teacher shared her experience in teaching the subject with reference to the stages of forming, storming, norming and performing that the students had gone through. Personal reflections on teaching the subject as well as perceived benefits to the students were also highlighted. The teacher deeply reflected the essence of university education in the cultivation of the leadership and intrapersonal attributes of the students. In facing the growing trend of “McDonaldization” and commercialization of university education, a general education subject that emphasizes the intrapersonal and interpersonal qualities of the students, and fosters the holistic development of the students is essential in university education.