International students proudly display the paper umbrellas they painted themselves in Meinong.

On July 25, the Overseas Students and Scholars Services Division of the Office of International Affairs at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) organized the "International Students Cultural Sustainability Project." The event brought 53 international students and 7 faculty members to Meinong, Kaohsiung. By transforming regional heritage sites into an immersive field classroom, the initiative integrated University Social Responsibility with the UN Sustainable Development Goals to foster cross-cultural exchange and sustainable community development.

The immersive itinerary paired hands-on traditional crafts with low-carbon food education. In the morning, participants visited the Meinong Peacock King Oil Paper Umbrella Cultural Village, where students hand-painted traditional paper umbrellas to preserve intangible cultural assets. They also prepared traditional Hakka pounded tea (Leicha), embracing sustainable consumption and green agri-food principles. The group then enjoyed an authentic Hakka meal, directly supporting the local economy and bolstering industrial resilience.  In the afternoon, the delegation explored the Meinong Hakka Cultural Museum to learn about historical migration patterns, tobacco barn architecture, and daily artifacts. Beyond cultural learning, this visit enabled international students to offer global diagnostic perspectives on boosting the international visibility of local industries. The journey concluded with a historic walk through Dongmen Tower, Yong'an Old Street, and Meinong Bridge to experience sustainable heritage preservation in action.  NCKU OIA noted that, funded by the Higher Education Sprout Project, this program seamlessly connects global talent with local heritage, empowering future international leaders to champion cultural sustainability and social impact.
 

International students try their hand at making traditional Hakka pounded tea in Meinong.