From Handmade Pastries to Ancient Canal Adventures: A Cultural Journey for 40 International Students

To integrate cultural experience into language learning, the Mandarin Language Center (MLC) at Asia University organized a "Cultural Field Trip for International Students" last Friday (April 24). Led by MLC faculty, 40 international students from India, Indonesia, and Thailand embarked on a journey combining history and nature, gaining hands-on experience with Taiwan’s historical roots and ecological beauty.

The first stop of the trip was the famous "T.K Food" (Tzu-Chiang Square Cookies) museum in Chiayi. The students not only learned how the traditional square cookie evolved into a world-renowned Taiwanese souvenir but also observed the automated production lines and enjoyed a DIY baking session. Many students expressed their excitement and admiration for the craftsmanship behind Taiwan’s traditional snacks as they looked at their handmade creations.

The group then headed to the "National Museum of Taiwan History" (NMTH). Guided by professional staff, students explored Taiwan’s diverse history—from the early indigenous eras and the Age of Discovery to the present day—through a rich collection of documents and artifacts. The lifelike wax figures and reconstructed historical scenes provided a vivid understanding of the island's evolution, making the Mandarin vocabulary learned in class more meaningful and connected to real life.

Instructor Lin-Lin Fan (front row, center) leads international students in a DIY pastry-making session at the T.K Food Museum.

International students gather in front of the National Museum of Taiwan History, ready to dive deep into Taiwan’s unique cultural heritage.

The highlight of the day was a visit to Sicao in Tainan, where the group visited the magnificent "Dazhong Temple" and took a raft tour through the "Sicao Green Tunnel," often referred to as a "Mini Amazon." Starting from "Zhuge Port," the first artificial canal in Taiwan, the students drifted through the shimmering green waters. Under the stunning natural archway of trees, they observed local wildlife and plants, including Kanto trees (Bischofia javanica), fiddler crabs, and mudskippers. This experience allowed students to witness Taiwan’s commitment to ecological conservation while traveling back through a century of history on the ancient canal.

The MLC stated that this activity aimed to enhance international students' sense of belonging and cultural connection to Taiwan. During the trip, 40 students from different nations overcame language barriers, shared their unique cultural perspectives, and built deep cross-border friendships. As the trip concluded in the evening, many students shared that Taiwan is no longer just a topic in their textbooks, but a vibrant and warm home filled with stories.

Instructor Lin-Lin Fan and students enjoy the stunning intersection of nature and history at the Sicao Green Tunnel.