In the final week of Program on the Environment’s Taiwan study Abroad Program, we went to Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, to explore topics of eco-tourism and indigenous communities. We were greeted by our partners in the Geography Department of National Kaohsiung Normal University. Dr. Lih-Der Ho shared his research on limestone caves in Shoushan National Nature Park and discussed the dilemma of having a nature area that is very close to a major city and impacts from tourism. In the afternoon, President Yung-Sen Chen of National Pingtung University shared the cultural and natural beauty of Pingtung and his research on the policies and ramifications of relocating aboriginal communities to the lowlands for safety reasons. Next, we went to National Sun Yat-sen University to learn about the natural  history and ecology of Kaohsiung and Shoushan from Dr. Chia-Hao Chang-Yang. The afternoon walk along Si Zhi Bay showed us the extreme environments of the coastal natural system and impacts of marine pollution firsthand. 

We had two full day field trips in Week 4. First, we visited Shoushan National Nature Park, which has a complex history of land uses and restoration efforts. The hike in the Nature Park was quite adventurous – we learned about the diverse plant species, explored a limestone cave, and encountered a few wild monkeys (Formosan macaque). On the final day in southern Taiwan, we went to Pingtung and visited the https://www.tacp.gov.tw/. Students participated in several cultural activities such as bead-making, archery, and dance performance to learn more about the diverse cultures of the indigenous tribes in Taiwan. Students brought home a handmade glass bead keychain from Dragonfly Beads Art Studio and were full of great memories of Taiwan. 

Students will share their journey on this blog and please check back in August for updates. Thank you! https://sites.google.com/view/uw-poe-taiwan-2023/blogs