A Perfect Way to Celebrate Taiwan’s Centennial –the Service of off-campus Beach Cleaning Volunteer Work
指導老師／樂惠美老師 翻譯學生／吳宜虹、林佳薇
Dr. Giong Xiang Lin, Associate Professor in the Department of International Business, lead 45 students on the eve of the 100th National Day on Oct. 7th to Fang Yuan Township to do beach cleaning volunteer work. In light of learning to respect nature, cherish the environment, be close to
the homeland, and cultivate the patriotic feelings toward the country as well as provide tourists with a brilliant recreational environment, Dr. Giong Xiang Lin has mandated “off-campus service” as a 4 hour non-credit compulsory subject for freshmen of CTU. Thus, this environmental protection activity entitled “Service of Wang Gong Township Ecological Experience” was especially significant for celebrating Taiwan’s centennial.
About 40 people, including the teacher and students of the Department of International Business, took school transportation to begin their journey very early in the morning. In an arrangement with Wang Gong Literature and
Cultural Association in Changhua County students began with their beach cleaning volunteer work. After lunch some of them joined in a school reunion for 3rd grade class F at neighboring Nanguo Elementary School. They helped kept
an eye on the elementary students’ safety while
accompanying them to the seashore on a field trip, and the rest of the students took a tour with Executive Director Yu Ji who walked on foot along the river bank, viewing the current status of Wang Gong Township's environmental
landscape protection status. After this hands-on exploration, students cherished the ecology, l i fe, land, and even themselves.
Th e l e a d i n g g u i d e Dr. Gi o n g Xiang Lin pointed out that when she initially designed the program of offcampus service learning, some other practices occurred to her, including: street sweeping service in neighborhood communities, source recycling activities,
inter-cooperative work among peers, and so on. Particularly, she would like to share the beauty of Taiwan’s east coast with her students and thereby develop a sustainable, eco-friendly environmental protection program. This motivation contributed to the establishment of the offcampus service organization by the Department of
International Business 1A. The student response to this activity was surprising to teacher Giong Xiang, as their reflections were more positive than she had imagined. Some students reported that this was the first time they had joined an off-campus service program, and some claimed that it was, “great having the breeze blowing on me.” Others wrote that, “I had never thought we could be so
cooperative like this,” and, “I was shocked by the
beauty of my country and we should have such an amazing coast”. Another student declared that, “to protect our environment we should begin first with ourselves.” One more admitted, “I was touched by Director Yushi’s love story.” Moreover, some had a new perspective toward raising kids, and still others were reminded of the times when they were little.
While participating in the beach cleaning activity and environmental protection opportunity, some students helped carry garbage bags while others picked up the trash; such practice bridges a mutual dialogue between nature and mankind, and an exploration of life's journey.
