EN-US 
ZH 
With the summer vacation approaching, Yuan Ze University's Department of Applied Foreign Languages meticulously planned the "International Cuisine English Camp" and the "Taste of Japanese Cuisine Japanese Camp," attracting nearly 60 high school students to the campus during their holidays.
The activities combined English and Japanese language learning with international culinary experiences. Through hands-on cooking, cultural introductions, interactive games, and cross-cultural exchanges, students learned languages while enjoying delicious food, gaining a deeper understanding of different cultures and setting a fulfilling and exciting tone for their summer vacation.
The "International Cuisine English Camp" was taught by graduate students from Spain and Indonesia, who introduced representative dishes from both countries in English, including Spanish tacos and Indonesian Nasi Lemak. The course gradually introduced the historical background, culinary culture, and characteristics of ingredients. Students then formed groups based on their personal preferences, choosing ingredients such as tomatoes and cheese to prepare the dishes themselves, learning about different food cultures while enjoying the food.
In the afternoon, a series of English-themed challenges were arranged. Students were divided into groups and went to various classrooms to take on challenges, answering questions about foreign food culture in English, completing brain teasers and puzzle games, and vying for the title of "King of Food Culture Knowledge." The activities incorporated puzzle elements; each completed level awarded a password, and finally, all clues were collected to solve the puzzle and find hidden surprises, adding fun and teamwork.
Another event, the "Taste of Japanese Cuisine and Japanese Language Camp," led students to understand the aesthetics of life through Japanese food culture. The curriculum included tea ceremony experiences, introductions to Japanese food culture, wagashi (Japanese sweets) making, and takoyaki (octopus balls) making, allowing high school students to gain a deeper understanding of the spirit and essence of Japanese culture through hands-on activities.
The most anticipated course was the tea ceremony, which featured a joint demonstration of the standing tea ceremony by Professor Mushanokōji Senke and Associate Professor Cheng Ya-hui from the College of Management at Yuan Ze University. Through a delicate demonstration, Professor Cheng guided students to understand the spirit of "harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility" inherent in the Japanese tea ceremony while tasting matcha and wagashi, experiencing the cultural values of respect, harmony, and peace.
In addition, Japanese students served as event staff, introducing Japanese food culture in Japanese and leading high school students in making wagashi (Japanese sweets). Following this, they participated in a takoyaki (octopus ball) making experience, witnessing firsthand the process of preparing a common Japanese home-cooked dish and gaining a deeper understanding of everyday Japanese food culture.
Yuan Ze University's Department of Applied Foreign Languages stated that through immersive and diverse learning methods, language is not merely classroom knowledge, but a crucial medium connecting cultures. In the future, they will continue to promote unique courses combining language, culture, and hands-on experience, providing graduate and undergraduate students with opportunities to apply their knowledge and serve the community, while also helping high school students broaden their international perspectives and enhance their cross-cultural communication skills.
