Hi! My name is Venia Joecy, and I am currently a Management Study Program student at Universitas Internasional Batam (UIB). I’m very grateful to be the one who participated in the Language and Culture Camp in MCUT, Taiwan, and I couldn’t be happier about this incredible opportunity to visit Taiwan for the summer camp. For those who are curious about how I knew about this program, I saw an Instagram post by @iro_uib about the summer camp program in MCUT, and I immediately registered myself. One of the reasons I enrolled in UIB University was to participate in international programs like this. So, when I came across the post about the summer camp on @iro_uib’s Instagram, it totally caught my attention and I decided to register myself. It’s been three weeks since I went to Taiwan to take part in the MCUT summer camp and I have got lots of things to tell!
Ming Chi University of Technology (MCUT) is a top-notch technological university located in New Taipei City, Taiwan. It has built strong partnerships with other universities to attract students from various countries around the world. And thanks to their program so I got this opportunity to visit Taiwan and MCUT. The summer camp took place from July 3, 2023, to July 12, 2023. On July 2nd, I departed for Taiwan, and I arrived there in the morning of July 3rd.” On the day of arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the MCUT OIA staff and MCUT students who served as our buddies throughout the program. Even though not all delegates had arrived, the staff took us on a campus tour. I was impressed by the fantastic environment at MCUT. I also met students from other countries, such as Thailand, South Korea, Philippines, Spain, Vietnam, and India. There were also Indonesian students like me, but they came from different universities. For the summer camp activities, we were divided into groups, that evening, my group’s buddy brought us to a delightful dinner at a Taiwanese restaurant. It was a wonderful opportunity to bond with my group mates and buddy while enjoying delicious Taiwanese cuisine.
The summer camp’s schedule was packed with exciting activities, including attending Mandarin courses and cultural experiences, visiting various departments in the university, and going on a field trip outside of Taipei. There was never a dull moment, and every day brought something new and interesting to explore.
Even though I already knew Mandarin, I found the Mandarin courses every morning to be engaging and valuable. Besides learning the language, we also had the chance to participate in hands-on cultural activities, such as creating traditional fans with our own drawings and making mini sky lanterns with our wishes written on them.
Throughout the summer camp, we had the opportunity to visit several departments, including the Department of Visual Communication Design, Department of Industrial Design, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Business and Management, etc. These visits provided us with insights into different of studies and academic experiences. In the Department of Industrial Design, we got to design our own keychain! Mine turned out nice. Besides that, we also got to make VR glasses in the Department of Visual Communication Design and play with the robotic arm in the Department of Electrical Engineering.
The summer camp activities extended beyond the campus as we were given the chance to explore outside of MCUT. We visited the Formosa Plastic Group Museum at Chang Gung University to see the spirit of the Formosa Plastics Group. What amazed me first is the piece of 50,000 years old petrified Kauri gum, displayed right in the lobby we entered.
Other places we visited were the National Center for Traditional Arts and International Children’s Folklore & Folkgame Festival in Yilan. The National Center for Traditional Arts is a place which shows Taiwan’s traditional culture. The National Center for Traditional Arts offers more than just observing cultural exhibits; it also provides opportunities to engage in fun DIY activities. My friends and I chose the coin purse DIY. We had a lot of fun making it.
The other day, we visited Hsu’s Handmade Noodles Co. and I made my first-ever scallion pancake! Also in this place, the staff taught us how to make handmade noodles with our own hand. Another unique experience was trying the flowing noodle! It was my first time having noodles prepared this way, and they were delicious.
Besides the scheduled activity, we usually got free time in the nighttime. And this is the time where I was able to tick off items from my Taiwan bucket list, including visiting Taipei 101, Shilin Night Market, and Ximending. And of courseeee, bubble milk tea! Had to mention that my buddy is super nice to bring us everywhere we wanna visit. She was always ready to show us around and ensure we experienced the best of Taipei.
One of the highlights of the summer camp was the opportunity to explore Taiwan’s rich cultural heritage. We visited historical sites, witnessed traditional performances, and experienced the local way of life. Taiwan’s landscapes are just incredible, from vibrant cities to scenic countryside, left a lasting impression on every one of us.
To be completely honest, the program has truly enriched me with invaluable worth., from making long-lasting friendships with people from diverse backgrounds to gaining a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s culture. The exposure to different departments at MCUT expanded our knowledge, and the field trips allowed us to explore some of Taiwan’s most fascinating places. Everything was unforgettable for me!
This summer camp was truly an enriching experience that added vibrant colors to my campus life. The memories made, the knowledge gained, and the friendships formed will forever hold a special place in my heart. This program totally fueled my passion for learning and exploring new stuff, and I’m super thankful for being a part of this unforgettable summer camp adventure.
There are a lot more stories I would like to tell and pictures I would like to show, but delving into them all within this article would make it never-ending. Hope I can tell you more in the future. See you!
Venia Joecy – 26 July 2023
