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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBeyond community service, the program featured a variety of cultural experiences, including Hakka Earth God (Bogong) heritage tours, traditional stone knife-making workshops, and Taiwanese night market visits. These activities introduced international volunteers to Hakka culture from multiple perspectives, including history, traditional craftsmanship, local beliefs, and everyday life, while providing deeper insights into the historical development of Zhongli\u2019s Old Town. Living and working together throughout the program also fostered meaningful intercultural understanding and lasting friendships among participants from different countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vietnamese volunteer Annie shared that her positive experiences with Taiwanese friends during her studies abroad inspired her to join the volunteer camp and gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan\u2019s culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWorking alongside CYCU students to restore historic buildings and serve the local community allowed me to experience the most authentic side of Taiwan\u2019s local culture. More importantly, I gained friendships that transcend national borders,\u201d<\/em> she said. \u201cThis volunteer experience was more than a cultural exchange\u2014it became an unforgettable journey of personal growth.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n One of the highlights of the program was the Cultural Kitchen and intercultural evening, where participants from different countries prepared traditional dishes, shared stories about their food, customs, and daily lives, and introduced their cultures through music and dance. These activities broadened CYCU students\u2019 global perspectives while strengthening their intercultural communication skills through living, working, and serving alongside their international peers. International volunteers also experienced Taiwan\u2019s vibrant night markets and community life, gaining a deeper appreciation for the warmth, hospitality, and cultural diversity of Taiwanese society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n French volunteer Virgile Lopparelli said that guided tours of Zhongli\u2019s Old Town and hands-on participation in historic building restoration deepened his appreciation of different cultural traditions and the importance of heritage conservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHistoric buildings can only continue to thrive when they are cared for and passed down from one generation to the next,\u201d<\/em> he said. \u201cThrough serving the local community, I not only gained a deeper understanding of Taiwan but also created memories and friendships that I will cherish for a lifetime.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Through its commitment to service-learning, CYCU empowers students to connect with communities, develop global perspectives, and make a positive social impact. The International Volunteer Camp brought together young people from around the world to promote local revitalization, cultural sustainability, and lasting cross-cultural friendships through hands-on community service.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Young volunteers from Vietnam, Thailand, Denmark, and F […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":11375,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[131],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11377","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category--en"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/eng.cycu.edu.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/02-%E4%B8%AD%E5%8E%9F%E5%A4%A7%E5%AD%B8%E5%9C%8B%E9%9A%9B%E5%BF%97%E5%B7%A5%E5%B7%A5%E4%BD%9C%E7%87%9F%E5%AE%89%E6%8E%92%E7%9F%B3%E5%88%80%E5%88%83%E5%85%B7%E6%89%8B%E4%BD%9C%E9%AB%94%E9%A9%97%EF%BC%8C%E5%BC%95%E9%A0%98%E5%9C%8B%E9%9A%9B%E5%BF%97%E5%B7%A5%E8%AA%8D%E8%AD%98%E5%82%B3%E7%B5%B1%E5%B7%A5%E8%97%9D%E6%8A%80%E8%A1%93%E8%88%87%E6%96%87%E5%8C%96%E5%82%B3%E6%89%BF%E3%80%82.jpg\")
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