Application for 2013 Tour Starts Now

Dear Friends:

I wouldl like to announce that the application for 2013 summer trip starts now. If you have decided to join our Taiwan trip, you will need to fill out an application form to hold the spot for you. Please come to see us ASAP, and don't miss out this great oppertunity.

Participants may choice to register for credit. The Taiwan Ecology and Culture Study Tour is also listed as BIOL2155 B1, Ecology and Culture of Asia, which counts as Biology GE and Bio major course, and cross listed as NPD 3000-B1 for spring 2013. If you are Gobal Study major, you may also use it to full fill part of your regional study requirement. We will meet 3~4 times during the B quad of the spring and tour on May 12~27, 2013.

As previously mentioned, VISA is not required for US citizen to enter Taiwa. However, a passport with expiration dtae no earlier than six months after the date of entry is required. For citizens other than Uited States, the VISA may be required. Please check with the instructors for details.

Once again, I would like to encourage you to participate this eonderful trip. Come join us and have a greta experience with us.





Dr. Timothy Lin        Phone 773-244-5223, e-mail: tlin@northpark.edu,  Office W-10
Dr. Linda Vick          Phone 773-244-5660, e-mail: lvick@northpark.edu,     Office W-19

"Taiwan Ecology and Culture Study Tour" is part of the "Ecology and Culture of Asia" course at North Park University. It is open to all North Parkers regardless registering for the course not

Is Taiwan Safe? Oh yeah!

One student mentioned her parents’ concern about sending the child so far away. I wish I can say something to comfort parents' worry, but I know no matter what I say, parents will be still "WORRY". I still remember when Andrew was born, I complained about being unable to sleep to a nurse at the hospital. Then said to us: "you will never sleep well for the rest of your life" Well, of course she exaggerated a little. But now, two boys after, I kind of understand what she meant. As parents, we will always WORRY

But I do have something to offer, data. The crime rate in Taiwan is a lot lower than Chicago, even US. In the past few years, US homicide rate is around 4.8~5.0/100,000, while Taiwan is 3.2~3.5. These US data is national wide statistics. That means even though you factor in all the small towns around the country, the US homicide rate is still higher than Taiwan. I guess you don’t need me to mention Chicago.

So, to your worry, I can say that Taiwan is safer than US, not to mention Chicago.

Tunghai University

Before Chinese communist revolution, thirteen Christian colleges/universities were established in China by western Protestant Church. These institutes included St. John’s University of Shanghai, one of the first China’s universities. After the revolution, the relation with Chinese “new” government became harder and harder. Eventually, all 13 schools were forced to close after 1949. In order to continue the Christian higher education, and train next generation of Chinese Christians, the United Board for Christian Colleges in China decided to establish another university in Taiwan. After next three year of visit and extensive planning, the Tunghai (東海) University was established on hill side of Ta-du (大度) Mountain at Taichung City. In 1955, first class of 200 students major in seven different fields of the College of Arts and Sciences were admitted to this young university. By 1963, it had grown into the size of 850 students and 12 major fields. This growth continues until today. Tunghai University now has more than 17,000 students, 34 departments, 7 colleges and at least 13 doctoral programs and 31 master graduate programs.   

Designed by I. M. Pei, The original design of the Tungahi campus evolving around the Luce Memorial Chapel. The basic structure of the chapel is composed of two pairs of gigantic concrete slabs, representing Helping hands of God reaching out to the praying hands of men. In between them is the cross. If you look at the satellite photo, these two pairs of hands form another cross right in the middle of the campus, representing the original funding spirit of Tunghai.

Study Labor Program: This is a very unique program. Ever since the beginning of the university, Tunghai maintains an unique tradition. That is the Student Labor Education Program. This program may sound strange, but it does provide students an opportunity to serve the campus and community. Every first year student is required to take one year of this “course” and participates in service work such as ground maintenance or janitorial work. Based on the performance, students may choose to continue their service at the 2^nd year as supervisors with compensation.

Chaplain’s Office/ University Ministries: Similar to North Park, Tunghai also have very vibrant religious activities. Directed by Chaplain’s Office Campus Fellowship actively supports students’ spiritual life and engages broader student population. In the past few decades, this fellowship have reached out to many nonbeliever students and cultivated many successful servants of God. In an era that Taiwan’s Christian population was merely 1~2%, this ministry stood on a significant position of the nation’s Christian history. And now the Christian population in Taiwan has grown to near 10% (or over 10 %, based on some statistics). It’s contribution is specifically noticeable.

Tentative visit date: May 17, 2013

Address: NO. 181, SECTION 3, TAICHUNG PORT ROAD, TAICHUNG CITY 40704, TAIWAN

GPS: 24^O 10’ 43.97” N; 120^O 36’ 1.69” E     Elevation: 594 ft.

"Taiwan Ecology and Culture Study Tour" is part of the "Ecology and Culture of Asia" course at North Park University. It is open to all North Parkers regardless registering for the course not

Top Ten List why you should join Taiwan Ecology and Culture Study Tour

1. Earn four credit hours of GE biology major or Dialogue III credits; and earn regional study credits if you are Global Study major 

2. Another line on your C.V.    

3. Hangout with local students and learn about the real daily life in Taiwan

4. Experience Chinese, Japanese and Micronesian cultures in one visit

5. You can visit four world class national parks enjoying magnificent sciences.

6. Visit 9000 feet-high Mountain and Pacific Ocean in the same day (if you want, you can go 20 feet below sea level). Yes!!! Enjoy the TROPICAL BEACH.

7. Enjoy the bullet train ride at 186MPH

8. Enjoy wonderful and wide veracity of cuisines, some fun, some “unique” and all are great (of course, you will learn that Taiwanese concept of “Edible” is sometimes different from ours)

9. Visit the 2nd tallest build in the world and enjoy the view on the observation deck

10. You can learn about how tectonic plate movement influences culture and enjoy the hot spring as hand on experience.

There are more:
11. It is a lot cheaper than going on your own

12. Taiwanese people are friendly and hospitable people

13. Spend a wonderful 16 day journey with your friends

14. Taiwan is fun

15. You can talk about your foreign experience during your job interview

16. Visit places you only heard of but never dreamed of seeing

17. Just wondering around in strange but friend city

18. Sopping

"Taiwan Ecology and Culture Study Tour" is part of the "Ecology and Culture of Asia" course at North Park University. It is open to all North Parkers regardless registering for the course not.

Have you ever experienced a ride at 186 mph?

Have you drive at the speed of 186mph? Well, don’t even try. Now you can enjoy but not by driving, instead, by riding a state of art Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) system. Back in 1990s, Taiwanese government passed a law that paved way for BOT (Build, Operate and Transfer). In October, 1996, the THSR BOT project began. Nearly a decade after, this 18-billion-dollar project was completed and began its service on January 5, 2007. THSR uses 700T, an updated version of Japanese Shinkansen 700 Series system. Its top speed is over 250 mph. Normal operation speed is set at 186 mph.

At the beginning of the operation, THSR suffered with the high operation cost, high maintenance and low ridership. After several years of red ink, and skyrocket debt, the ridership has grown up to over 110,000 passengers a day in 2011.

Now, we can try this fast riding experience as well. On May 18, we will take THSR from Taipei to Taichung, a 90 mile journey that will only take less than 30 minutes. Curious? Excited? Come join us.

Visit date: May 17, 2013, Friday

THSR web site:
http://www.thsrc.com.tw/en/?lc=en

GPS:
Taipei Station: 25^O 02’ 52.66” N 121^O 31’ 01.48” E 
Taichung Station: 24^O 06’ 42.54” E; 120^O 36’ 55.89” E

"Taiwan Ecology and Culture Study Tour" is part of the "Ecology and Culture of Asia" course at North Park University. It is open to all North Parkers regardless registering for the course not.

It’s a story of an Art Museum, and its birth under the China's Civil War

 The National Palace Meusum.

The beautiful structure is a small scalled forbidden city. Behind the building, is a gigantic underground structure deep into the mountain which houses the world largest Chinese art work collection.

Dec. 21, 1948, a warship-turned-cargo vessel carrying large load of unknown cargo departed from war torn China. She was on a secret mission directly ordered by Chinese dictator Jian, Kia- shek. Few days later, the cargo was safely unloaded at northern Taiwan. In the next few weeks, two other warships set sail for the same destination. More than sixty-five million items of Chinese artworks, collected by emperors over four dynasties, throughout thousands of years of Chinese history were rescued from China’s civil war and the subsequent destruction of the Culture Revolution. In the next two decades, Jian government built a huge bunker deep underneath Taipei’s mountain and a small scaled Forbidden City in the front. On Dec. 11, 1965, National Palace Museum was completed. Now owns the world largest Chinese artifact collection, the National Palace Museum has become one of the world top art museums.


They said if you visit the National Palace Museum once a week, you will need three life times to completely view most of the collection (except for the 70% never been displayed). If you are curious about the museum in the story, or you are interested in visit this museum yourself, now there is a great opportunity. Please join us for this unforgettable 16-day in depth experience to Taiwan. Until then, please visit their web site.

Site Visit Date: May 16, 2012 (Optional)
GPS: 25^O 06’ 05.70” N;  121^O 32’ 55.99” N
Web Site; click here

"Taiwan Ecology and Culture Study Tour" is part of the "Ecology and Culture of Asia" course at North Park University. It is open to all North Parkers regardless registering for the course not.

Change of Plan, Even Better!

 

I would like to report to you a minor change of or itinerary. Originally we plan to travel across the South Cross Island highway, and visit the south region of the Yushan National Park. However, I was informed that the highway is still under the construction for the damage caused by the typhoon two years ago. This construction is not expected to complete before the end of 2012. The new plan, however, is better!! In the next few weeks, I will introduce those sites and routes we are about to visit, including old and new, in the next few posts.

Taroko National Park

Today I would like to introduce to you the Taroko National Park. “Taroko” means “magnificent and beautiful”. According to the legend, one Truku tribesman traveled cross the center mountain. After weeks of climbing and hiking, he finally found an open pass. Right at the moment he came out the gorge, he saw the magnificent and beautiful Pacific Ocean. He couldn’t help but to sign the praise to the scenery before his eyes. For hundreds of years Trukus leaved in the region peacefully.

The national park, “Tsukitaka” was originally established by Japanese government in 1937. The development of the National Park was interrupted during the WWII. After the war, Taiwanese government continued the development and designated “Taroko National Park” in 1985.

The most famous geological wonder at Taroko is the stiff gorges and cliffs. When you going the highway (or even better, hiking) through the gorge, you will certainly be astonished by the gigantic marble rock formation. I will stop talking now, please enjoy the photos, and don’t forget to visit the web sites listed below.

Tentative Visit Date: 5/18, 5/19
National Park Official Site:http://www.taroko.gov.tw/English/
GPS: 24^O 9’ 40.89” E; 121^O 36’ 47.82” N

"Taiwan Ecology and Culture Study Tour" is part of the "Ecology and Culture of Asia" course at North Park University. it is open to all North Parkers regardless registering for the course not.

An exciting trip is waiting for you

I am glade to announce the inauguration of the new Blog: Taiwan Ecology and Culture Study Tour. We would like to use this space to reach out and gather feedback from our students. Many of you have already known that we are organizing the first Ecology and Culture of Asia Study Tour. The first location we choose is my home town Taiwan. Through this blog, we will introduce Taiwan more in details and report the update of the tour prep to whomever interested.

Taiwan is an island located west pacific ocean, with the size of upper Michigan. about 70% of land area is composed with endless mountains Yu Shan is the highest peak in the East Asia,




In case you haven’t heart of this trip, here is some information you might find useful.

Dates: leaving O'Hare on May 13, Sun afternoon and back to Chicago on May 28, Mon.

Credit option: Participants may choose trip only option or register for either dialogue 3 or BIOL2155 (GE), Ecology and culture of Asia: Taiwan in fall, 2012. If you are Global Study major this trip will also count as regional study .

Cost: 2,800, including airfare, lodge, local transportation, insurance and meals (except for free time). We will need to ask students to pay U$300 non-refundable deposit by Mar.1 for price guarantee. It may increase after Mar 1.

Activities include:1) Culture and Ecology (or Culture and history) lectures—Lecture will be given before the rip and the first day of the trip. It will focus on the information about Taiwan’s history and unique culture. This part of activity will be provided by and local Taiwanese scholar(s). Some lectures will be also provided by museum personals during the visit to museums National Palace Museum and Folk Arts Museum.

(2) Visit national parks ecological site—in order to introduce the Eco diversity of Taiwan, we will visit three national parks, volcanic Yangmingsahn, tropical Kenting and mountain Yushan National Parks. National park authorities will provide briefing. This part of the trip will be arranged by local tour agency. Charter bus will be provided

(3) Cultural site, temples, museums—visits may be split into different days at different locations of the island. National Palace Museum, National Science Museum, Temples in Lugong, Pingtung Aquarium. IN the meantime, we are contacting tribal leaders of Taiwanese Bunun tribe. In depth interaction with tribal members are expected

(4) One day with local friends—in order to understand the local culture in depth, we propose a one-day-with-local-friends (students) activity. Tailing them in class rooms, cafeteria and other activities local students do.

(5) Free time -- Just wondering around in the city enjoy the close encounter of this beautiful island.

Some online resources you might find useful:
National Palace Museum: http://www.npm.gov.tw/npmwebadmin.jsp?do=index
Taipei 101: http://www.taipei-101.com.tw/
Yangmingshan National park: http://www.ymsnp.gov.tw/nweb/1059.aspx?alttemplate=Recreation
Lukang Folk Arts Museum: http://www.lukangarts.org.tw/
Yushan National Park: http://www.ysnp.gov.tw/
Kenting National Park: http://www.ktnp.gov.tw/
Taroko National Park: http://www.taroko.gov.tw/English/
National Museum of Marin Biology and Aquarium: http://www.ktnp.gov.tw/cht/trip.aspx?dayclass=4

I hope you found this trip interesting. in the next few weeks, I will post new information about this trip and the background information about Taiwan. Please stay tune and enjoy the more exciting stuff. If you have any thought, please feel free to post your feedback. Of course, if you like it, please pass this blog to your friends, inviting them to join this trip.
~ TIM

"Taiwan Ecology and Culture Study Tour" is part of the "Ecology and Culture of Asia" course at North Park University. it is open to all North Parkers regardless registering for the course not.