The “2026 International Student Eco-Culture Expo,” held on Poster Street from March 25 to 26, opened at 12:00 PM on March 25. A lion dance troupe composed of Malaysian students kicked off the event with a lively drum performance, setting an energetic tone for the occasion. The expo brought together eight international student and local clubs, featuring cultural displays, interactive games, and sustainability-themed activities. Through a relaxed and engaging atmosphere, faculty and students were able to explore diverse cultural characteristics from around the world while gaining awareness of global sustainability issues.

Vice President for International Affairs Hsiao-Chuan Chen noted in her remarks that while only five student clubs participated in last year’s inaugural event, this year saw greater involvement from both international and local students. She expressed hope that through cross-cultural exchange and sustainability initiatives, students will be encouraged to engage with global issues, integrate cultural learning with environmental responsibility, and put the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into practice.

Each booth showcased distinctive cultural features and sustainability concepts from different countries. The Indonesian Student Association presented the theme “Exploring Indonesia: Clean Water, Bright Future” (「探索印尼：潔淨的水源，光明的未來」), introducing clean water initiatives led by local NGOs, along with interactive quizzes to raise awareness of sustainability and environmental protection. The Malaysian Student Association highlighted “Malaysia’s Diversity, Sustainability Unchanged” (「大馬多元，永續不變」), offering bamboo and wooden handicrafts as well as local delicacies, demonstrating the integration of traditional culture and sustainable lifestyles. The Japanese Student Association focused on “Food Waste in Modern Society” (「現代社會中的食物浪費問題」), introducing Japan’s responses and sustainability efforts while providing tastings of oil noodles. The Korean Student Association presented “Korea’s Sentiment: Connecting the Past and the Future” (「韓國之情：連結過去與未來」), sharing cultural stories and modern lifestyles through dishes such as tteokbokki.

In addition, the International Students Association’s “Tamsui Umbrella Graveyard” (「淡水雨傘墳場」) creatively illustrated the environmental impact of disposable items by tracking the number of umbrellas lost or damaged, prompting students to reflect on climate issues and consumption behavior. The Vietnamese Student Association presented “Sustainable Vietnam: Coffee Beyond the Ordinary” (「越味永續：啡同凡響」), offering salted coffee and cultural items while sharing Vietnam’s unique sustainability practices. The International Ambassador Team organized an interactive activity, “Discover Tamsui Through Cultural Exchange” (「淡水文化交流趣」), where visitors guessed countries based on food images, adding a fun learning element. Meanwhile, the Bliss & Wisdom Youth Club introduced tea culture through “Let’s Find Tea: A Taste of Sustainability” (「大家來找茶：回味永續間」), promoting organic baozhong tea in collaboration with farmers in northern Pinglin, and raising awareness of conservation efforts for tree frogs in the Feitsui Reservoir area.

Yu-Hui Tang, an Indonesian student from the Department of Biochemical Science and Technology at National Taiwan University who assisted at the booth, shared that what she most hopes to introduce to Tamkang University students is a greater awareness of environmentally friendly lifestyles. “We are working to make the Earth better, and we hope this mindset can be passed on to the next generation,” she said. She also noted that during the preparation process, she was impressed by the strong interest many students showed in sustainability-related issues.

Participating students noted that the event was highly meaningful, as it not only introduced diverse cultures from different countries but also integrated sustainability concepts. A junior student surnamed Chen from the Department of Mass Communication at Tamkang University added that the interactive quiz design at the Indonesian booth was particularly engaging, allowing participants to learn while having fun and gain insight into environmental challenges faced by other countries—“which is excellent!”

SDGs #SDG04 Quality Education #SDG06 Clean Water and Sanitation #SDG11 Sustainable Cities and Communities #SDG12 Responsible Consumption and Production #SDG13 Climate Action #SDG15 Life on Land #SDG17 Partnerships for the Goals

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