NCCU Exchange Students are invited by Zhinan Elementary School for a warm cultural exchange
Date :
2025-12-15
Department :
Office of International Cooperation (OIC)
【Article by Office of International Cooperation】
On December 4th, 2025, the Office of International Cooperation (OIC) led National Chengchi University (NCCU) foreign exchange students to visit Zhinan Elementary School, located at the bottom of Maokong Mountain. The foreign exchange students enjoyed a performance by Zhinan Elementary’s students and teachers, who had been preparing an English drama performance for three months. Overall, it was a great day for cultural exchange.
Zhinan Elementary is nestled in the mountains and surrounded by a small stream. Early in the morning, the sixth year elementary school students, already dressed in traditional costumes, welcomed the NCCU exchange students. The school campus, “small yet beautiful” only hosts six grades, but radiates a natural charm through its close-knit community and natural surroundings. Surrounded by this environment, the foreign exchange students were very curious about the day’s activities.
Today’s drama performance was named “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” after the classic American folk song. Zhinan Elementary teacher Zhang Qianling crafted the script by combining elements from “How to Train Your Dragon,” and “The Little Mermaid.” Teachers Li Yayun, Zhang Yating and Guo Zhijie led the stage music and performance direction.
The stars of the stage were the sixth grade students, who wore their hand-crafted costumes and performed in English. Other grade levels participated in the performance by singing English songs or dancing. This hour-long performance was the achievement of the full school community’s three months of hard work.
During the performance, the elementary students not only memorized English lines and lyrics, but also brought the characters to life, moving the audience with their acting. The NCCU foreign exchange students frequently pulled out their phones to capture the moment.
One Vietnamese exchange student named Jane said, “At first, I didn’t have high expectations, but everything exceeded my imagination!” A Filipino student named Ruth also shared that she had never seen such a well coordinated performance at the elementary school level before, and that the performance left a deep impression.
After the performance finished, both parties participated in a cultural exchange activity, where the elementary students interviewed the foreign exchange students about their nationalities and hometowns. The children bravely used English to lead these discussions, overcoming language barriers and happily participating in the discussions. Then everyone participated in an outdoor lunch activity, consisting of shepherd’s pie, apple pie, roasted turkey, and other delicacies. Fifth and sixth grade students spoke with the foreign exchange students using English, and the atmosphere was both warm and lively.
On this winter day in the mountain forests, Zhinan Elementary School showcased the unique cohesion and educational vitality of a small school through such a wonderful day of cultural exchange and warm hospitality. For the international exchange students, this was an unforgettable day.
As the exchange students boarded the bus back to NCCU’s campus, the students were both reluctant to leave but were also abuzz with excitement, sharing with themselves, “Today’s activities really made my day!”
(Translator: Chelsea Anglin)
On December 4th, 2025, the Office of International Cooperation (OIC) led National Chengchi University (NCCU) foreign exchange students to visit Zhinan Elementary School, located at the bottom of Maokong Mountain. The foreign exchange students enjoyed a performance by Zhinan Elementary’s students and teachers, who had been preparing an English drama performance for three months. Overall, it was a great day for cultural exchange.
Zhinan Elementary is nestled in the mountains and surrounded by a small stream. Early in the morning, the sixth year elementary school students, already dressed in traditional costumes, welcomed the NCCU exchange students. The school campus, “small yet beautiful” only hosts six grades, but radiates a natural charm through its close-knit community and natural surroundings. Surrounded by this environment, the foreign exchange students were very curious about the day’s activities.
Today’s drama performance was named “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” after the classic American folk song. Zhinan Elementary teacher Zhang Qianling crafted the script by combining elements from “How to Train Your Dragon,” and “The Little Mermaid.” Teachers Li Yayun, Zhang Yating and Guo Zhijie led the stage music and performance direction.
The stars of the stage were the sixth grade students, who wore their hand-crafted costumes and performed in English. Other grade levels participated in the performance by singing English songs or dancing. This hour-long performance was the achievement of the full school community’s three months of hard work.
During the performance, the elementary students not only memorized English lines and lyrics, but also brought the characters to life, moving the audience with their acting. The NCCU foreign exchange students frequently pulled out their phones to capture the moment.
One Vietnamese exchange student named Jane said, “At first, I didn’t have high expectations, but everything exceeded my imagination!” A Filipino student named Ruth also shared that she had never seen such a well coordinated performance at the elementary school level before, and that the performance left a deep impression.
After the performance finished, both parties participated in a cultural exchange activity, where the elementary students interviewed the foreign exchange students about their nationalities and hometowns. The children bravely used English to lead these discussions, overcoming language barriers and happily participating in the discussions. Then everyone participated in an outdoor lunch activity, consisting of shepherd’s pie, apple pie, roasted turkey, and other delicacies. Fifth and sixth grade students spoke with the foreign exchange students using English, and the atmosphere was both warm and lively.
On this winter day in the mountain forests, Zhinan Elementary School showcased the unique cohesion and educational vitality of a small school through such a wonderful day of cultural exchange and warm hospitality. For the international exchange students, this was an unforgettable day.
As the exchange students boarded the bus back to NCCU’s campus, the students were both reluctant to leave but were also abuzz with excitement, sharing with themselves, “Today’s activities really made my day!”
(Translator: Chelsea Anglin)