【Photo Credit: Associate Professor Ching Tung, Wang, Department of East Asian Languages and Literature】

【Translated with the assistance of Google Gemini】

【Promotion of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) series】 

2026-02-12  A delegation of faculty and students from South Korea’s Kyung Hee University (KHU), a sister institution of the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK), has embarked on a two-week Taiwan cultural study and field exchange program. Associate Professor Wang Ching-tung, the program coordinator from the Department of East Asian Languages and Literature, stated that by combining classroom learning with field investigations, students gain a profound understanding of Taiwan's historical and cultural context while personally experiencing the warm and pleasant winter climate of Southern Taiwan.

This "Winter Kyung Hee University Special Program" is held during the winter break, primarily for students from KHU's College of Humanities. The curriculum is diverse, covering themes such as "Decision-making Wisdom," "Applied Philosophy," "Philosophy and Art Appreciation," "Comparison of Western and Asian Cultures," "Modern History of Taiwan," and "Taiwan's Ethnic Groups and Languages." Through interdisciplinary perspectives, students are guided to systematically understand Taiwan's social development and cultural characteristics.

In addition to academic studies, several cultural field trips were organized, including visits to the Anping Harborside Historical Scenic Area in Tainan, the Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Cultural Park in Pingtung, the Pier-2 Art Center in Kaohsiung, and Eluanbi, the southernmost cape of Taiwan. Through these field tours, students experience the diverse fusion and historical evolution of Taiwanese culture within actual historical sites and natural landscapes.

NUK's Department of East Asian Languages and Literature has long maintained close cooperative relationships with over 40 sister schools in South Korea and continues to promote bilateral exchanges. Such overseas study activities not only strengthen academic and cultural links between the two sides but also create practical participation opportunities for NUK's Korean-language majors, enhancing their cross-cultural communication skills and international competitiveness, while laying a foundation for future exchanges in Korea and career development.

The program has been widely praised by Korean students since its founding in 2016. Compared to the severe cold of minus 10 degrees Celsius common during Korean winters, Kaohsiung's warm and comfortable winter environment has become a key factor in attracting students to enroll.

Participating students Choi Eun-seo and Yoon Se-gyeong stated that recommendations from their seniors motivated them to actively seek this opportunity to visit Taiwan. They pointed out that South Korea and Taiwan share similar historical backgrounds and cultural interaction contexts. This trip has not only deepened their understanding of Taiwanese society but also allowed them to experience the warm hospitality of NUK's faculty and students. They hope to continue expanding bilateral exchange and cooperation in the future.

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