What are your dreams in high school? This summer, there is a group of young and energetic high school students shuttled through all corners of Taiwan and gave themselves a meaningful adulthood ceremony through the journey of the youth travel. "The 2018 Youth Experience Learning Root Project" organized by Youth Development Administration of the Ministry of Education encourages high school students to form a team during their studies and independently plan to explore people, issues and subjects around Taiwan. In addition to understanding themselves and fostering communication, social participation and other literacy, and enhance the rooting of the content of experience and learning in youth travel. This year, 56 teams and 225 young people participated and implemented the blueprint of their dream from June to August.
From the "18 Dream Group" of Taoyuan City Guanyin High School, five students completed the 7-day round-the-island journey, visiting the village on the spot, looking for the heartbeat of Taiwan's towns and villages; feeling the artistic atmosphere intertwined between cultural creative and urban reconstruction in Kaohsiung's second special zone; Meet the travelers from different regions on the journey and listen to their stories; check the Hualien Sandakan Trail, and strolling the green land.
Ye Zhizhen, a member of the group, said that before graduation, he thought that he should go to various places to see it. When the school teacher introduced the root plan, so the members discussed together - everyone is 18 years old, so the group name is called "18 Dream Group"! In addition to 5 students from the same schools, the team invited Juliana from Dallas Highlands High School in Texas, USA. She is a friend of Captain Xu Weici who met in the short-term exchanges in the United States during the summer when she was on grade eleven. The team tried to enrich the itinerary from the perspective of foreigners. The five students considered that their spoken English was not fluent, but since they had to interact with this overseas friend for 7 days, "I had to force myself to speak English. This is my first time to speak to foreigner face to face. I was very nervous at first. It’s easier to use body language but later on I found it is not difficult.” Xu Zhijia, a member of the team, said with a smile.
What made the members and Juliana very moving was that the train conductor was very considerate and reminded them that the wallet should be placed safely. When the public saw foreigners on the team, they also took the initiative to say hello and let Juliana felt that the most beautiful scenery in Taiwan is the friendly people! Captain Xu Weici mentioned some interesting things - "We all thought that it is very common local noodle, but Juliana feels it is really delicious. She usually eats very little but this time she ate a few bowls." At the Traditional Art Center in Yilan, the guides carefully introduced various traditional Taiwanese cultures. Juliana was very interested in the temples. When the white incense rose, the guide said it represent that the wishes of the people would also be passed on to the heavens. Juliana was very admired and said: "The architectural design in the temple is very meaningful!". The members still interacted with Juliana through LINE now. When they need to write English, they will also seek her advice.
The five students already have a good relationship at school. They are asked if the round-the-island tour have any quarreled because of some trivial isues. Captain Xu Weici said, "We talk about the cooperation during the planning stage, and one person is responsible to make a plane for one county. The other members just relax and trust him to arrange the journey, and the team established a habit of respect each other." After 7 days of journey, the common feeling from Chen Zhiquan and Sun Xunbang is,