“The 2023 MCUT Language and Culture Summer Camp in Taiwan” took place during the summer vacation, spanning 10 days, from July 3rd to July 12th. A total of 38 students from 15 partner universities of MCUT across 7 countries participated, including India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, and Spain. The diverse program offered not only Mandarin language learning but also specialized lab courses from the university's departments as well as cultural exchange visits which gave the students the chance to experience Taiwan's unique culture. The participants returned home enriched with knowledge and gratitude. One Indonesian participant, Andrew, expressed his thoughts after participation, "we are now a family, and we are looking forward to seeing each other next year."

Dr. Chieh-Lan Li, Dean of International Affairs, mentioned that the camp aimed to strengthen the exchange relationship with our sister schools and to enhance the international brand image of MCUT. After overcoming challenges posed by the pandemic, finally in the summer of 2023 the successful execution of the MCUT Language and Cultural Camp was realized. The domestic students of MCUT acted as camp buddies, introducing overseas participants to the unique features of MCUT and sharing Taiwan's local culture, fostering international connections and accumulating teamwork experience, aligning with the university's commitment to “internationalization at home.”

The camp activities included Mandarin language courses, department visits, and off-campus cultural experiences. Camp participants not only learned the language but also delved into Taiwanese culture and customs, equipping themselves with an authentic experience of Taiwan. In addition, they visited university departments and research centers, participating in various learning activities such as programming robotic arms in the Department of Electrical Engineering, engaging in remote-controlled electric car projects in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and experiencing 3D virtual reality glasses in the Department of Visual Communication Design. These visits allowed participants to learn about MCUT's research directions and achievements in various fields, potentially leading to their future inclusion in the MCUT family.

Over the weekend during the camp period, participants had the opportunity to immerse themselves in Taiwanese culture by experiencing making traditional handmade noodles in Shiding, releasing sky lanterns in Shifen Old Street, visiting Yilan Park of National Center for Traditional Arts to learn about Taiwan's unique traditional crafts, and joining the 2023 Yilan International Children's Folklore & Folkgame Festival. These experiences deepened their understanding of both traditional and modern Taiwanese culture while promoting cross-cultural communication and understanding.

On the final day of the camp, during the farewell party, participants expressed their gratitude to MCUT and bid farewell to each other, hoping to reunite in the future. Alfredo from Spain said, "I am honored to be part of this camp, where I got to know friends from all over the world. I am also grateful to our local camp buddies for helping us understand Taiwan's culture better." One MCUT camp buddy, Bing-Ting, added, "Farewell is not the end but the preparation for our next gathering." During the camp period, some buddies even started making plans to visit these participating sister schools for short-term studies, exchange programs, or dual master’s degree programs, further strengthening the precious friendships formed during the camp.

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, MCUT's enthusiasm and dedication to international exchange remained unwavering. The university plans to continue investing more resources and efforts into promoting international cooperation, providing students with more diverse and enriching international exchange opportunities, ultimately making MCUT's international reputation shine even brighter on a global scale.

Traditional Chinese Edition: 2023年明志科大中華語言文化研習營 分享文化心、連結世界情