The Kaohsiung International Summer Camp, a five-day, four-night event, recently wrapped up, leaving university students from eight countries inspired and eager to return to Taiwan. The camp offered participants an immersive cultural experience, including a visit to the bustling Liouhe Night Market, an exploration of the creative Pier-2 Art Center, a tour of the Sunlight Xiaolin Community, and a dive into Hakka traditions in Meinong. They also marveled at Kaohsiung Main Public Library’s sustainable green architecture and enjoyed a VR experience at the flying theater, i-Ride. For many, this was their first visit to Taiwan, and they captured their memorable experiences in short social media videos, expressing their excitement about Kaohsiung’s vibrant charm and their intentions to return. At the farewell party on the 18th, students from each country shared touching reflections on their experiences. Director-General of the Department of Administrative and International Affairs, Chang Yen-ching, encouraged them to take their Kaohsiung memories back to their home countries, share their stories internationally, and return to Kaohsiung to continue their friendships and explore the city’s rich diversity.
“Kaohsiung is captivating and full of energy; the camp opened up new friendships and unforgettable cultural exchanges,” shared Aaliyah Thea L. Goyena from the Philippines in her praise of the camp for fostering international friendship. Matej Gregor from Slovakia added, “I spent 30 hours traveling to Kaohsiung, and meeting so many friends here made every minute of this 10,000-kilometer journey worth it!” Diane Vasquez from San Antonio, USA, was equally thrilled, calling the experience of Taiwanese culture highly meaningful. To commemorate their time together, students collaborated on short Instagram videos capturing their unforgettable moments and the camaraderie they built during the camp.
Throughout the program of visiting Meinong and the Sunlight Xiaolin Community, participants explored Kaohsiung’s multi-ethnic culture. In Meinong, they visited the Hakka Cultural Museum, where they learned about the Hakka community's heritage. Masaya Honda from Kumamoto, Japan, enjoyed trying on a traditional Hakka blue blouse and hand-painting paper umbrellas, calling it a fresh and unique cultural experience. In the Sunlight Xiaolin Community, students learned about the history of the Taivoan people and their resilience following Typhoon Morakot, enjoyed indigenous cuisine, and admired traditional weaving. Their visits also incorporated Kaohsiung’s highlights of net-zero sustainability and technological advancement. The students visited Kaohsiung’s Main Public Library, an eco-friendly landmark with a suspended green design, praising it as “the most beautiful and greenest library.” They also experienced i-Ride, the advanced VR flying theater, which they described as both thrilling and fun.
At the closing ceremony, Director-General Chang Yen-ching of the Department of Administrative and International Affairs presented each student with a certificate of completion and a “Kaohsiung Bear” mascot plush as a thoughtful farewell gift. Chang noted that the annual Kaohsiung International Summer Camp consistently receives positive feedback, with students recommending it to friends and family. Through these cross-cultural exchanges, the camp aims to strengthen Kaohsiung’s ties with sister cities and international partners.