To help international students learn more about Taiwan’s traditional festivals and promote cultural exchange on campus, the Office of International Affairs (OIA) held the “Dragon Boat Festival: Culture & DIY Hand Craft” event on June 17. International degree students, exchange students, and short-term interns who stayed on campus during the summer were invited to join. Through a culture talk, DIY activity, and traditional food, students learned about the meaning of the Dragon Boat Festival and experienced Taiwanese festival culture.

The event introduced the history and customs of the Dragon Boat Festival. Students learned about the story of Qu Yuan and the festival’s connection with summer, health, and blessings. Common customs such as dragon boat racing, midday water(午時水), egg balancing, scented sachets, and eating zongzi were also shared. During the DIY activity, students made their own scented sachets and learned that sachets are used to repel insects, bring blessings, and serve as festival decorations. OIA also prepared zongzi for students to taste, giving them a chance to experience the festival through food. The activity created a warm and lively space for students to learn and interact.

At the end of the event, several international students shared their life experiences in Taiwan. One exchange student, who will soon return to his home country, said that food was the biggest challenge when he first arrived because people in his hometown usually eat spicy food. However, after living in Taiwan for some time, he gradually got used to Taiwanese food and especially came to enjoy luwei(滷味), a popular Taiwanese braised dish. Newly arrived short-term interns also shared their curiosity and excitement about life in Taiwan, and mentioned that their recent visit to Alishan left a strong impression on them. In the future, OIA will continue to hold cultural activities to help international students adapt to campus life and better understand Taiwanese culture.