2026-02-12

A delegation of faculty members and students from Kyung Hee University, a sister university of the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK), recently participated in a two-week cultural study and exchange program in Taiwan. According to Associate Professor Wang Ching-Tung from NUK’s Department of East Asian Languages and Literature, the program combined classroom learning with field visits, allowing students to gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s historical and cultural development while also experiencing southern Taiwan’s warm and pleasant winter climate.

The Winter Program for Kyung Hee University was held during NUK’s winter break and primarily welcomed students from the College of Humanities at Kyung Hee University. The curriculum featured a diverse range of interdisciplinary topics, including Decision Intelligence, Applied Philosophy, Philosophy and Art Appreciation, Comparative Western and Asian Cultures, Modern Taiwanese History, and Taiwanese Ethnic Groups and Languages. Through these courses, students were guided to develop a systematic understanding of Taiwan’s social development and cultural diversity.

In addition to classroom instruction, the program included several cultural field trips to iconic locations across southern Taiwan. Destinations included Anping Harbor National Historical Scenic Area in Tainan, Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Cultural Park in Pingtung, Pier-2 Art Center in Kaohsiung, and Eluanbi Lighthouse, located at Taiwan’s southernmost cape. Through these immersive experiences, students explored Taiwan’s multicultural heritage, historical transformation, and natural landscapes firsthand.

NUK’s Department of East Asian Languages and Literature has maintained close partnerships with more than 40 sister universities in South Korea and continues to promote two-way international exchange opportunities. Programs like this not only strengthen academic and cultural ties between institutions but also provide practical learning opportunities for NUK students in the Korean language program, helping them build cross-cultural communication skills and enhance their global mobility for future exchange programs and career development.

Since its launch in 2016, the winter program has received strong positive feedback from Korean students. Compared to Korea’s winter temperatures, which often drop below -10°C, Kaohsiung’s warm and comfortable climate has also become one of the key attractions encouraging students to participate.

Participating students Choi Eun-Seo and Yoon Se-Kyung shared that recommendations from senior students motivated them to apply for the program. They noted that Korea and Taiwan share similar historical experiences and cultural interactions. Through this visit, they not only deepened their understanding of Taiwanese society but also appreciated the warm hospitality of NUK faculty and students. They expressed hope for continued expansion of exchange opportunities between both institutions in the future.

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