NTNU and Shida Night Market Back-to-School Event Brings Global Traditions to Life
NTNU and the Shida Longchuan Night Market Promotion Association hosted the 'Shida Longchuan Back-to-School Season' event on October 5th and 6th, focusing on 'International Culture.' The event featured performances by international students showcasing their native traditions, followed by a concert from NTNU’s wind band. The two-day program aimed to promote cultural exchange, drawing in local residents, students, and visitors interested in experiencing a range of global perspectives.
The opening ceremony brought together representatives from the university, government, commercial district, and local community. Attendees included NTNU Vice President for Student Affairs Mei-Chun Lin, Vice Director for International Affairs Cindy Yunhsin Chou, Mandarin Training Center Student Affairs Division Head Shu-Hua Fang, Deputy Director of the Taipei City Government Office of Commerce Mei-Ling Chiang, 5th and 6th Presidents of the Taipei Commercial District Federation Wen-Ho Hung and Shui-Mei Chou, respectively, Chairman of the Shida Night Market Promotion Association Sheng-Hsiung Hsu, Secretary-General Hui-Peng Tseng, Founder and Chairperson of Jin Xing Fa General Store Feng-Jen Wei, Longquan District Chief James Parng, and various local business owners and residents.
Bringing Cultures Together and Building an International Community
Founded in the fall of 1956 and affiliated with NTNU, the Mandarin Training Center is Taiwan’s largest institution for Chinese language instruction. It attracts over 8,000 students annually from more than 80 countries worldwide. Notable alumni include former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and former Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto.
According to Cindy Yunhsin Chou, NTNU Professor and Associate Vice President for International Affairs, NTNU currently has over 1,650 international degree students, representing approximately 12% of its total student population, with steady annual growth. Including the foreign students at the Mandarin Training Center, the international student presence at NTNU is substantial, making it common to see international students throughout the campus.
Mei-Chun Lin, NTNU’s Vice President for Student Affairs, noted that a prominent commercial district is often associated with an internationally recognized university. NTNU maintains strong ties with the local community through resource sharing, industry-academic collaboration, and fostering a shared cultural environment. The current event also features performances by various student clubs, highlighting the diverse and active club culture on campus.
Deputy Director Mei-Ling Chiang of the Taipei City Office of Commerce noted that since 2013, the city has provided resources to support local commercial districts in developing their distinct identities. Initiatives like this encourage neighborhoods to organize independent events, strengthen ties between businesses and schools, and emphasize their unique qualities. Shida Night Market is a notable example, known for its variety of dining options, affordable clothing shops, and specialty cafes. Its proximity to a large international student community further enhances its appeal, making it a vibrant and diverse college town that reflects Taiwan’s accessibility and rich cultural environment.
Jiang added that this year’s “Shida Longquan Back-to-School Season” also marks the launch of a new international cultural exchange center. By engaging with international students and expatriates, the initiative aims to showcase the district’s diversity and inclusivity, positioning Shida Night Market as a welcoming community for both international students and visitors.
A Stage for Global Traditions as Students Share Their Heritage
The opening event featured performances celebrating a variety of international cultural traditions, including a martial arts demonstration by Malaysian students, a costume show by Honduran students, and a musical performance by Indonesian students. NTNU’s Hip-Hop Club and Guitar Society also participated, using music to represent the lively student culture in Taiwan.
Three students from NTNU’s Overseas Chinese Preparatory Program—Han-Ye Mei, Mei-Ling Chen, and Ke-Hsin Yin—performed a traditional dance for Thingyan, Myanmar’s New Year festival, in traditional attire. They expressed excitement at the chance to share their cultural heritage abroad. Cheng Yung-Sheng, a first-year Chinese Language student from Indonesia, performed the popular Indonesian song Rungkad and later sang a duet of Hong Kong singer G.E.M.’s Don't Force It with Mandarin Training Center student Teng Chia-Li, further energizing the event.
Alicia from Honduras performed a drag show, transforming into a male character while singing to express different aspects of her identity and encouraging the audience to embrace authenticity. NTNU’s Hip-Hop Club followed with several original pieces that explored themes of love, homesickness, and personal aspirations. The Guitar Society concluded the evening with The Sea, He-R, and The One Who Hides, creating a memorable autumn night for attendees. Many international students in the audience waved National Day flags, fully engaged in the performances.
The event also featured a popular Red Envelope Wall Lucky Draw. By scanning an on-site QR code and liking a designated post, participants had a chance to win up to 50 NTD in vouchers for use at partnered stores in the commercial district. The activity drew a long line of local residents and students eager to participate. Vendors from the district offered a variety of local delicacies, giving winners the opportunity to enjoy a unique culinary experience.
Music and Celebration with the NTNU Wind Band Lighting Up Double Tenth
To celebrate Double Tenth National Day, the second night featured a performance by the NTNU Wind Band, a 74-year-old ensemble. Conducted by renowned trumpet player and music professor Yeh Shu-Han, the concert delivered a memorable audiovisual experience. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause and cheers as more than ten classic pieces, complemented by vocal performances, captivated both community members and NTNU students.
The program opened with the gentle melody of Afterglow, creating a welcoming atmosphere. This was followed by El Sol de Sevilla, a lively trumpet trio that captured the vibrant spirit of Spain. La vie en rose featured a saxophone solo that evoked the romantic allure of France. The vocal performances of Can't Take My Eyes Off You and You Are the Only One in My Heart resonated deeply with the audience, drawing them further into the music. The energy peaked with the encore piece, El Cumbanchero, and continued through the final pieces, Passion Continent and Spain, leaving attendees eagerly anticipating next year’s concert.
Hsu Sheng-Hsiung, Chairman of the Shida Night Market Promotion Association, welcomed international students, expatriates, and visitors to explore the unique appeal of Shida Night Market. This year’s event emphasized not only international cultural exchange but also incorporated ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles with a focus on sustainability. Participants were encouraged to bring five empty PET bottles to exchange for a roll of toilet paper, promoting environmental awareness and encouraging contributions toward sustainable development.