2026-05-29
Beyond the Classroom: Learning About Sustainability and Community Resilience Through the NCCU USR Field Trip in Hualien
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Photo by Casper Lin
A warm atmosphere filled Taipei Main Station early in the morning as international students from more than 15 countries across Asia and Europe gathered before departing for Hualien. Over the course of three days, students from the International College of Innovation (ICI), National Chengchi University (NCCU), participated in a field trip for the course Sustainable Development and Regional Revitalization, initiated by Prof. Gina Tsai as part of the Inclusive Innovation University Social Responsibility (USR) program. The trip was also joined by fellow professors involved in the same USR initiative, including Prof. Michelle Kuo and Prof. Tzu-Chi Ou, who together guided students beyond the classroom to directly engage with local communities and social realities in Taiwan.
However, this trip was far more than an ordinary academic visit. Through the experiential learning approach promoted by NCCU’s USR program, students were encouraged to gain a firsthand understanding of sustainability through direct interaction with local communities, Indigenous peoples, and post-disaster recovery areas in Guangfu, Hualien. The various activities throughout the trip demonstrated that sustainability is not only connected to environmental issues, but also to culture, community solidarity, and resilience in times of crisis.
The field trip became a cross-cultural learning space where students were able to experience Taiwan beyond textbooks and classrooms. Rather than simply observing, students actively participated in farming activities, cultural workshops, community discussions, and immersive local experiences alongside residents and Indigenous communities.
Bang Cha Farm: Learning Sustainability Through Food, Soil, and Community
Capt: ICI NCCU students together with NCCU USR professors during the visit to Bang Cha Farm, Guangfu, Hualien
Photo by Shabrina
Capt 1: ICI NCCU students enjoying a traditional local lunch prepared with fresh ingredients from Bang Cha Farm
Capt 2: ICI NCCU students tasting freshly harvested vegetables directly from the farm during the agricultural field tour
Photo by Shabrina
The first day’s journey began at Bang Cha Farm, a local farm in Guangfu that had previously been affected by severe flooding. Upon arrival, the students were greeted with a variety of local dishes prepared by the local community. On a long table, a variety of foods from Bang Cha Farm were served, ranging from fish, sticky rice, and local vegetables to various traditional dishes using fresh ingredients from the surrounding farm area. The food was served on natural leaves, creating a warm, communal dining atmosphere that felt close to nature.
Interestingly, nearly all the food served comes directly from Bang Cha Farm’s own produce. For many international students, this experience serves as their first opportunity to understand sustainability through something deeply rooted in the daily lives of the Guangfu community: food. Amid the shared dining atmosphere, students also listen to explanations about the ingredients in the food they consume and how the local food system plays a vital role in the lives of the Guangfu community. The philosophy being conveyed to the students goes beyond simply consuming local food, it also addresses the relationship between people, the land, and sustainable food production processes.
Evan, a student from France, said he was very impressed by the experience.
“In my country, we don’t have experiences like this,” he said, sharing his fascination with local cuisine and the way it’s served using natural leaves. He also mentioned that fish and sticky rice were his favorite dishes during the visit.
Another student from France, Brieu, also said that he discovered many types of local vegetables he had never seen before.
“I really like it because there are so many kinds of vegetables I’ve never seen before,” he said. He also mentioned Taiwanese local bananas as one of the most interesting culinary experiences for him during the event.
After the group meal, the students were invited to take a farm tour with the managers of Bang Cha Farm. They walked through the garden, rice fields, and chicken farm while listening to stories about the situation in Guangfu following the flood. Throughout the tour, the students were also invited to taste various vegetables picked directly from the farm. This experience was one of the highlights for the participants, as they were able to directly experience the freshness of local produce while standing amidst the gardens and farmland still actively used by the local community.
Some students seemed eager to try local vegetables they had never encountered before. The atmosphere was relaxed and filled with curiosity as participants shared their reactions to the taste of the vegetables they had just tried. This simple experience made many students feel closer to nature and the food production process, which they rarely get to see firsthand in urban life. The students also witnessed firsthand how local communities are working to restore farmland that had previously been damaged by severe flooding. One of the explanations that most captured the participants’ attention was how soil that had lost nutrients due to flooding is being gradually restored using organic methods and nature-based approaches.
The local community uses rice husks, wood chips, and even a chicken farming system to help naturally restore soil quality. The chickens raised in the area serve not only as a food source but also as a vital component of the soil restoration process through sustainable agricultural practices. For some students, this experience marked the first time they saw how sustainability is actually put into practice in people’s daily lives, rather than just as an academic concept.
Exploring Amis Culture through Traditional Workshops
Capt: ICI NCCU students participating in a traditional craft workshop with the Amis Indigenous community
Photo by Casper Lin&Shabrina
After leaving Bang Cha Farm, the journey continued to the Cifadahan Restaurant in Guangfu. There, the students participated in various cultural activities while learning how the indigenous people maintain their relationship with nature through traditional knowledge passed down from generation to generation. The students participated in a traditional crafts workshop using natural materials commonly used by the Amis people in their daily lives. During the session, participants learned how indigenous communities utilize natural resources sustainably without generating much waste. The workshop atmosphere was very interactive and warm. Students from various countries actively asked questions, tried their hand at making crafts, and helped one another throughout the activity.
For some participants, this experience marked their first time truly interacting directly with the culture of Taiwan’s indigenous communities. Judy, a student from Taiwan, said that the event gave her the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of indigenous cultures.
“I found this activity very interesting because I had the chance to get a closer look at indigenous cultures,” she said.
Meanwhile, Samantha, a student from the Philippines, said that the traditional craft workshop was one of the most memorable experiences of the trip. She explained that the process of making crafts using natural materials allowed her to see how traditional culture and sustainability can coexist in the daily lives of local communities.
“I really enjoyed how simple it was to make, especially because I had never done this kind of traditional craft before.” - Samantha, student from the Philippines.
Exploring the Forest and the Amis’ Philosophy of Life
Capt: ICI NCCU students exploring the forest trail while learning about the ancestral beliefs and ecological philosophy of the Amis Indigenous community
Photo by Casper Lin
After the cultural workshop, the students continued their journey through the forest area with the Amis community. Amid the pristine natural surroundings and occasional light rain, the students were invited to learn more about the Amis indigenous people’s philosophy of life and their spiritual connection to nature. Throughout the trip, the guides explained various local plants and their functions and significance in the lives of indigenous communities, ranging from food sources and daily necessities to and elements of traditional rituals. The students also listened to stories about the Amis people’s beliefs regarding their ancestors and how nature is considered an integral part of their spiritual lives.
One story that particularly caught the students’ attention was the belief in the connection between humans, nature, and ancestors, who are believed to remain present within their community. In his explanation, the guide also demonstrated how traditional rituals are performed as a form of respect for ancestors and the surrounding environment.
The experience of walking through the forest while listening to these stories provided a unique atmosphere for the students. For many international participants, this activity offered a rare opportunity to understand sustainability not only from an environmental perspective but also from the cultural and spiritual perspectives of indigenous communities.
Riverside Dining Experience with Amis Feast
Capt: ICI NCCU students experiencing riverside dining while enjoying nature in Guangfu, Hualien
Photos by Casper Lin
As evening approached, the students participated in a riverside dining experience at the Cifadahan Restaurant. This activity is a form of eco-cultural tourism that highlights the close relationship between local culture and nature in Hualien. Amidst the mountainous scenery and shallow river currents, the students enjoyed a traditional Amis dinner in an open-air area designed to resemble a natural restaurant on the river.
Tables and chairs were set up directly in the middle of the shallow water, creating a dining experience unlike any other. The dishes served were local specialties featuring a variety of local produce, ranging from assorted vegetables, fish, and shrimp to purple rice made with sweet potatoes. The students also enjoyed a traditional hotpot cooked over a traditional fire pit, with the embers carefully tended until the ingredients were perfectly cooked.
Surrounded by the sound of the river and the pristine nature of Hualien, the students not only enjoyed traditional Amis cuisine but also experienced how the local community fosters a close connection with nature through their culture and food system.
Reflections on Community Resilience After a Disaster
Capt: Prof. Gina Tsai together with speakers O`riyar(Xiao Hai) and Yu Kai-Lun during the “Resilience of Guangfu Post-Disaster” discussion session with ICI NCCU students in Hualien
Photo by Casper Lin
To wrap up the first day, the students participated in a reflective session titled “Resilience of Guangfu Post-Disaster.” During this session, the students heard stories about how the people of Guangfu coped with the massive flood that had crippled various critical infrastructure in the region.
Through discussions with the local volunteers O`riyar(Xiao Hai) and Yu Kai-Lun, students were encouraged to understand that sustainability is not only about the environment, but also about social solidarity and the community’s ability to help one another in the midst of a crisis.
One of the most memorable reflections for the participants came from the following quote:
“When the bridge breaks, the invisible becomes visible.”
For many students, their first day in Hualien served as a real-life lesson in how sustainability is fostered through the connections between people, communities, and nature.
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