Bitter Tea Isn't Bitter ! Don’t Fear Earthquakes ! OIC Leads International Students from 30+ Countries to Experience Taiwanese Culture
Date :
2024-09-11
Department :
Office of International Cooperation (OIC)
【Article by Office of International Cooperation】
For newcomers to a foreign land, every fresh experience becomes a nourishing part of life. In addition to completing the usual check-in and dormitory procedures, the Office of International Cooperation (OIC) has planned a variety of activities during Orientation Week to help international students integrate into Taiwanese society from multiple perspectives. Upholding the concept of "Home Beyond Borders," the OIC organized a Host Family Welcome Dinner on September 3 at the Taste Kitchen. On September 4, after moving into their dormitories, the students split into two groups—one headed to IKEA to buy daily necessities, while the other explored Dadaocheng. Strolling through streets filled with temples and local delicacies, they immersed themselves in the rich historical and cultural atmosphere of Taipei. On September 6, the OIC held a disaster preparedness lecture, complete with an earthquake simulator, allowing international students to experience how to react during an earthquake. These engaging and practical activities have made it easier for international students to adapt to life in Taiwan.
As mental and physical well-being becomes a global concern, the QS rankings have now included Health & Wellbeing as a sustainability indicator. In recent years, the OIC has actively organized the Host Family Program to build a strong support network for international students, ensuring they feel safe and supported during their studies. This year (Year 113 on the Taiwanese calendar), the program expanded to include retired and current staff members, with plans to involve alumni in the future. The Host Family Welcome Dinner on September 3 was attended by nearly 15 families and 24 international students, with the room filled with laughter and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
On the afternoon of September 4, over 30 international students from countries such as Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, and Turkey participated in the Dadaocheng cultural tour. The group traveled by public transportation from NCCU to Dadaocheng, where they visited attractions such as Yongle Fabric Market, traditional Chinese medicine shops, and Xia-Hai City God Temple, experiencing the local temple culture and witnessing the evolution of Taiwan’s industries. At the Puppet Theater Museum, the international students were introduced to Taiwan’s vibrant folk arts. Truong Huu Thang, a student from Vietnam currently studying in the Graduate Institute of Teaching Chinese as a Second Language, said, “The intricacy of puppet theater reminds me of Vietnam’s water puppetry. This cross-cultural similarity is fascinating.” Toward the end of the tour, the students tasted local specialties like bitter tea and herbal tea, and visited Ningxia Night Market to try iconic Taiwanese street foods such as bubble tea, oyster omelet, and sausage wrapped in sticky rice. Mia, a student from Turkey, excitedly shared, “I was thrilled to taste these legendary Taiwanese snacks—this is an experience I will never forget.”
To equip international students with the necessary disaster preparedness knowledge, the OIC, in collaboration with the Dormitory Office, organized a disaster preparedness lecture, complete with an earthquake simulation. Martin Nikoljaci, an exchange student from Germany's Business School, described the earthquake simulation as fascinating and said it helped him, someone who rarely experiences earthquakes, better understand how to respond to such disasters. Hadi Jaya Darfian from Indonesia was particularly impressed by Taiwan’s disaster preparedness education. Coming from another earthquake-prone country, Hadi has experienced a magnitude 7 earthquake, but this was his first time participating in such a drill. He praised Taiwan’s excellent preparedness and education in disaster response.
As one of Taiwan’s most internationalized universities, NCCU attracts over 2,300 international students each year. The university strives to integrate various local resources, both on and off campus, to provide international students with a rich and comprehensive cultural experience.
For newcomers to a foreign land, every fresh experience becomes a nourishing part of life. In addition to completing the usual check-in and dormitory procedures, the Office of International Cooperation (OIC) has planned a variety of activities during Orientation Week to help international students integrate into Taiwanese society from multiple perspectives. Upholding the concept of "Home Beyond Borders," the OIC organized a Host Family Welcome Dinner on September 3 at the Taste Kitchen. On September 4, after moving into their dormitories, the students split into two groups—one headed to IKEA to buy daily necessities, while the other explored Dadaocheng. Strolling through streets filled with temples and local delicacies, they immersed themselves in the rich historical and cultural atmosphere of Taipei. On September 6, the OIC held a disaster preparedness lecture, complete with an earthquake simulator, allowing international students to experience how to react during an earthquake. These engaging and practical activities have made it easier for international students to adapt to life in Taiwan.
As mental and physical well-being becomes a global concern, the QS rankings have now included Health & Wellbeing as a sustainability indicator. In recent years, the OIC has actively organized the Host Family Program to build a strong support network for international students, ensuring they feel safe and supported during their studies. This year (Year 113 on the Taiwanese calendar), the program expanded to include retired and current staff members, with plans to involve alumni in the future. The Host Family Welcome Dinner on September 3 was attended by nearly 15 families and 24 international students, with the room filled with laughter and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
On the afternoon of September 4, over 30 international students from countries such as Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, and Turkey participated in the Dadaocheng cultural tour. The group traveled by public transportation from NCCU to Dadaocheng, where they visited attractions such as Yongle Fabric Market, traditional Chinese medicine shops, and Xia-Hai City God Temple, experiencing the local temple culture and witnessing the evolution of Taiwan’s industries. At the Puppet Theater Museum, the international students were introduced to Taiwan’s vibrant folk arts. Truong Huu Thang, a student from Vietnam currently studying in the Graduate Institute of Teaching Chinese as a Second Language, said, “The intricacy of puppet theater reminds me of Vietnam’s water puppetry. This cross-cultural similarity is fascinating.” Toward the end of the tour, the students tasted local specialties like bitter tea and herbal tea, and visited Ningxia Night Market to try iconic Taiwanese street foods such as bubble tea, oyster omelet, and sausage wrapped in sticky rice. Mia, a student from Turkey, excitedly shared, “I was thrilled to taste these legendary Taiwanese snacks—this is an experience I will never forget.”
To equip international students with the necessary disaster preparedness knowledge, the OIC, in collaboration with the Dormitory Office, organized a disaster preparedness lecture, complete with an earthquake simulation. Martin Nikoljaci, an exchange student from Germany's Business School, described the earthquake simulation as fascinating and said it helped him, someone who rarely experiences earthquakes, better understand how to respond to such disasters. Hadi Jaya Darfian from Indonesia was particularly impressed by Taiwan’s disaster preparedness education. Coming from another earthquake-prone country, Hadi has experienced a magnitude 7 earthquake, but this was his first time participating in such a drill. He praised Taiwan’s excellent preparedness and education in disaster response.
As one of Taiwan’s most internationalized universities, NCCU attracts over 2,300 international students each year. The university strives to integrate various local resources, both on and off campus, to provide international students with a rich and comprehensive cultural experience.