By Rusieljs G. Lunasco

Princess Elaine Espongja (left) Rodolfo Godwin Pascua, (center) and Charlotte Gadian (right) in their Philippine National Costumes.

Princess Elaine Espongja, BA ELS 2, Rodolfo Godwin Pascua III, BS CE 2, and Charlotte Gadian, BA Comm 2 participated in the 2019 Global Cultural Exchange Summer Camp on August 18-23, 2019 at Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan City, Taiwan. Around 100 university students from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Poland, Vietnam, and India joined the said program.

The Summer Camp exposed the students to different modern and aboriginal cultures, languages, technology, and the beautiful scenery of Tainan City and Kaoshiung City. Charlotte Gadian says that “she learned a lot, especially the concept of diversity.” According to her understanding the culture and practices of people from other countries made her realize that when people are aware of different cultures and global concerns, diversity will never be an issue because it is the people’s hearts that will unite and understand.” For Princes Espongja, her first international travel was a “learning experience.” She will also treasure the bond and friendship with fellow Filipinos from universities in the Philippines. She added that the Summer Camp developed her communication skills and broadened her cultural experiences. For Rodolfo, his first experience riding on a bullet train, particularly the Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) is a memory that will last a lifetime.

The five-day Summer Camp in Tainan City, Taiwan was an experience that three students from this university will always treasure as an experience of a lifetime. CPU’s dynamic partnership with Chang Jung Christian University has yielded several opportunities, such as student exchange.

According to Prof. Anna May Yap-Zerrudo, Acting Director of the Office of International Relations and Cooperation (OIRC), their office is always looking for opportunities from partner universities, so that qualified CPU students can also have the chance to go abroad. She added that one exchange student from CJCU is currently enrolled in the BA English Language Study Program and will stay on the campus for one year.