2026-03-09
Lantern Lights and Laughter: ICI Lantern Festival Cultural Event Brings International Students Together
As lanterns gradually lit up the evening sky, students from different countries walked out of the classroom carrying the lanterns they had painted themselves. Laughter and warm wishes filled the air, creating one of the most heartwarming Lantern Festival scenes on campus this year.
On March 3, 2026, the Lantern Festival, the International College of Innovation (ICI) hosted a Lantern Festival Cultural Experience Event organized by the college’s Bilingual Program in collaboration with the student advising team. More than thirty local and international students, along with faculty and staff, gathered to celebrate the festival and experience the meaning of reunion and blessings through bilingual interaction.
The event was hosted by three first-year ICI students: 闕云宣、邱若妤、蘭愛真（Elvira）, who demonstrated the confidence and bilingual capabilities of the younger generation. 闕云宣, a student association officer, introduced the unique Lantern Festival traditions found across Taiwan in fluent English, from sky lantern prayers to the famous Beehive Fireworks Festival, giving international students a vivid understanding of the festival’s cultural background. 邱若妤, who transferred to ICI this academic year, showcased creativity and confident stage management during the lantern riddle activity, energizing the entire audience. Elvira from Sweden took on the role of leading ice-breaking activities and transitions between segments for the first time. She shared that preparing for the event allowed her to better understand the cultural significance of the Lantern Festival while also boosting her confidence and sense of personal growth.
The event began with an introduction to the cultural origins of the Lantern Festival. This was followed by a lively lantern riddle game, which blended traditional riddles with English-language questions covering current events, NCCU campus culture, and popular topics. Students eagerly competed to answer the riddles, enjoying both the intellectual challenge and the humor embedded in the activity.
The lantern painting and lighting ceremony brought the event to its highlight. In a dimly lit space, students and faculty lit their lanterns together, symbolizing hope and blessings for the year ahead. International students were especially excited to step outdoors and experience the traditional atmosphere of carrying lanterns at night, creating memorable moments on campus.
The culinary experience was another highlight of the event. Participants tasted freshly cooked yuanxiao, a traditional Lantern Festival dessert made differently from tangyuan. Prepared on site and served immediately, the handmade yuanxiao came in both sweet and savory varieties and received enthusiastic responses. Sesame and longan fillings were particularly popular, while the savory version also earned high praise. Many students noted that it was their first time tasting yuanxiao and were pleasantly surprised by its unique texture, gaining a deeper appreciation of the festival’s symbolism of reunion through this culinary experience.
The event demonstrated ICI students’ strong interest in cross-cultural learning and openness to cultural exchange. Faculty members and administrative staff also joined the celebration, creating a welcoming atmosphere of shared learning and inclusion on campus. By combining bilingual engagement with local cultural experiences, the activity not only helped international students gain a deeper understanding of Taiwanese traditions but also broadened the perspectives of local students through multicultural interaction.
ICI noted that it will continue to organize activities that combine academic depth with cultural experience, creating a learning environment that integrates global perspectives with local connections. Through such initiatives, students can experience the world on campus while discovering innovation and personal growth within traditional culture.
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