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The College of Nutrition, the Graduate Institute of Humanities in Medicine and the School of Pharmacy work together to lead students in service learning in Jianshi Township (尖石鄉), a mountain indigenous township in Hsinchu County in northern Taiwan, despite epidemic and storm.
In this service-learning trip, the trio led students to the Atayal Tribe in Jianshi Township in May and June of 2020. Students assisted local farmers with pesticide-rapid-screening in crops and helped the locals understand the nutritional value of crops, and their physically nutritional and health status. In the professional service courses on nutrition and aging, students were guided to help the locals with their nutritional knowledge and skills, empowering them to tackle real-life issues with their practical trainings and expertise.
The number of students going up to the mountain indigenous township had to be limited and batched due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The students were challenged by the bumpy ride on the mountain roads; on their second trip, they were hit with thick fog and heavy rain. Nevertheless, the students were undefeated, and, in fact, enjoyed the experience of being immersed in nature.
The kindness and enthusiasm of the indigenous people also warmed the tired hearts. The students not only involved in the natural cycle of farming and poultry raising but learned to incorporate local ingredients into a balanced diet that successfully integrated the indigenous food culture with health and nutrition. These learning trips incorporated education and practice while allowing the students to properly convey nutritional sense to the elderly and children in Jianshi. Their learning journey was seasoned with the hue of nature and humanities.
Source： College of Nutrition ＆ TMU OGE
