Tzu Chi University Holds One-Week Summer Study Camp for “Sister School” Students

From July 20-28, Tzu Chi University held its first  all-English “Summer Study Camp for Sister School” Students. The purpose is to provide students of TCU’s “Sister Schools” a taste of the “Tzu Chi Experience,” to learn about Tzu Chi’s Four Missions and Eight Footprints, with a focus on Tzu Chi Humanities. In total, nine international students attended the camp. These included five students from Naresuan University Thailand: Waritsara Netkham; Ruksina Arnonphokhin, Daravadee Srivilai, Thitinun Chaliasomboon, and Chasinee Muangrat, as well as two students from University of Indonesia: Tharra Nabila Jolanda Putri and Carin Adina. From Vietnam came Khoa Anh Viet, a Ph.D. candidate at Tran Nhan Tong Institute, Vietnam National University, and Tran Huynh Anh Tuan from Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Recent TCU graduate Sabrina (Department of Human Development and Psychology) played a key role as Student Assistant.

Students enjoyed the following classes: Introduction to the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation and “Still Thoughts Hall” Tour (Office of Humanities); “Buddhism in Taiwan and the Tzu Chi Foundation” by Professor Kent Chien-te Lin, Director of Graduate Institute of Religion and Humanities; “Buddhism and Women in Taiwan,” Elise Anne DeVido, Associate Professor, Graduate Institute of Religion and Humanities;  “Tzu Chi, USR Projects and SDGs”  by Professor Chiu Yie-Ru, Director of TCU’s Master’s Program in Sustainability and Disaster Management; “Himalayan Singing Bowls Healing Workshop” led by teacher Lü Yiting; and “Introduction to Chinese Calligraphy” by teacher Zou Ruei-teng.

As for Tzu Chi Humanities, students loved the Tzu Chi Flower Arrangement class and the Tzu Chi Tea Ceremony. They were very moved to learn about Tzu Chi’s “Silent Mentor” Program. 

In addition, students experienced the beliefs and practices of Chinese folk religion at Hualian’s Sheng An Gong and Cihui Tang.  Due to the effects of Typhoon Gaemi, two events were cancelled: the much-anticipated visit to the Abode of Still Thoughts and a trip to Liyu Lake.

However, all students remained positive despite the storm and its after-effects. To get back to Taoyuan Airport, the group needed to travel via Kaohsiung since the northern rail-line was closed.

For several of these students, it was the first time to travel overseas and one student mentioned: “…you all made me feel comfortable and whatever happened, everything will be OK.” Other students expressed interest in applying to TCU graduate programs in the future. All students remarked that previously they could not have imagined that Buddhism could do so much good for the world, however, Tzu Chi, led by Master Cheng Yen, showed them the way.