【Highlight】Sanxia Field Trip!
Sanxia Trip: Discovering the pre-historic beauty of the old city street
The National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU), through its Office of the International Affairs (OIA) and National Taipei University (NTPU) Language Center, organized a one-day cultural exchange tour last November 21, 2020. Upon arrival at NTPU, the NTOU students were warmly welcomed by the hosts. During the opening program, the head of the NTPU Language Center gave a welcome address. She also extended her gratefulness and appreciation to everyone for their participation and willingness to relate with the local students.
One of the highlights of the activity is visiting Sanxia in New Taipei City. Sanxia is a well-known tourist destination because of its Zushi Temple. The said temple is one of the unique Chinese temples because of its architecture. Like other organized cultural exchange programs, international students from NTOU were assigned to local student counterparts from NTPU. During the entire duration of the activity, the local students took the responsibility of touring or assisting the NTOU students. The local students also made sure that their guests are all well-taken care of. Right after the opening program, the participants went to visit Sanxia, where the NTOU students experienced how it is to travel by bus, along with the NTPU students, of course, who served as their guide. Upon their arrival, the participants immediately went to the Sanxia Presbyterian Church for the Indigo-Dye DYI activity. Indigo dyeing is a traditional Taiwanese cloth dyeing technique, a tradition that has been preserved for decades for the next generation to experience. Sanxia was used to be the center of the cloth dying industry in Taiwan. The students were able to create their own designs using the cloth material provided.
Right after the indigo dying activity, the students had a Sanxia dining experience for everyone to taste the savory food in the area. One of the memorable parts of the cultural exposure is the visit to Zushi Temple. NTPU students explained the temple's architecture, and when it was built, and the significant symbolism of the carvings. The NTPU students also detailed the temple's reconstruction and preservation efforts and its cost. The style of the Zushi temple, according to them, remarkably differs from other temples due to its wood and stone carvings created with delicate patterns and intricate ornamental and artistic designs.
Aside from the temple visit and the experience of walking with a pre-historic feel along Sanxia Old Street with its red-brick walls, the NTPU students also introduced some local food available such as the famous tofu pudding and Sanxia croissant bread. For the last part of the activity, the students went back to NTPU for the closing program in which part of it was a trivia question for the students to answer about the recent trip to Sanxia. NTPU sponsored the prizes to those who gave the correct answers. Lastly, participants from both universities shared their cross-cultural experience. They also shared how the exposure helped them relate and understand the cultural differences of other nationalities better.