Young volunteers from Vietnam, Thailand, Denmark, and France spent this summer working alongside students from Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) in Zhongli’s Old Town, restoring historic buildings, protecting the local river environment, and experiencing Taiwanese culture through community engagement. Organized by CYCU’s Service-Learning Center from July 21 to 28, 2026, the “The Charm of the Old Town” International Volunteer Camp was held in partnership with the Vision Youth Action (VYA Taiwan). The program brought together seven international volunteers and ten CYCU students for a week of service-learning, cultural immersion, and intercultural exchange, empowering young people to contribute to local revitalization while building friendships across borders.
Guided by the theme “Learning Through Service, Growing Through Exchange,” the camp connected participants with local community resources and introduced them to the history, culture, and heritage of Zhongli’s Old Town. Volunteers worked together to restore and maintain Lane 46 Cultural Sharing Space, helping preserve a valuable community cultural site. They also participated in environmental conservation activities along the Laojie River, including riverside clean-up and the removal of invasive plant species. Through these hands-on experiences, participants demonstrated the spirit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting sustainable cities and communities, environmental stewardship, and global partnerships.
Beyond community service, the program featured a variety of cultural experiences, including Hakka Earth God (Bogong) heritage tours, traditional stone knife-making workshops, and Taiwanese night market visits. These activities introduced international volunteers to Hakka culture from multiple perspectives, including history, traditional craftsmanship, local beliefs, and everyday life, while providing deeper insights into the historical development of Zhongli’s Old Town. Living and working together throughout the program also fostered meaningful intercultural understanding and lasting friendships among participants from different countries.
Vietnamese volunteer Annie shared that her positive experiences with Taiwanese friends during her studies abroad inspired her to join the volunteer camp and gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s culture.
“Working alongside CYCU students to restore historic buildings and serve the local community allowed me to experience the most authentic side of Taiwan’s local culture. More importantly, I gained friendships that transcend national borders,” she said. “This volunteer experience was more than a cultural exchange—it became an unforgettable journey of personal growth.”
One of the highlights of the program was the Cultural Kitchen and intercultural evening, where participants from different countries prepared traditional dishes, shared stories about their food, customs, and daily lives, and introduced their cultures through music and dance. These activities broadened CYCU students’ global perspectives while strengthening their intercultural communication skills through living, working, and serving alongside their international peers. International volunteers also experienced Taiwan’s vibrant night markets and community life, gaining a deeper appreciation for the warmth, hospitality, and cultural diversity of Taiwanese society.
French volunteer Virgile Lopparelli said that guided tours of Zhongli’s Old Town and hands-on participation in historic building restoration deepened his appreciation of different cultural traditions and the importance of heritage conservation.
“Historic buildings can only continue to thrive when they are cared for and passed down from one generation to the next,” he said. “Through serving the local community, I not only gained a deeper understanding of Taiwan but also created memories and friendships that I will cherish for a lifetime.”
Through its commitment to service-learning, CYCU empowers students to connect with communities, develop global perspectives, and make a positive social impact. The International Volunteer Camp brought together young people from around the world to promote local revitalization, cultural sustainability, and lasting cross-cultural friendships through hands-on community service.
