CAS Week 2025 – Taiwan
The 2025 Taipei CAS trip spanned six enriching days, offering students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of Taiwan. Arriving in light rain, the group quickly formed connections, setting the stage for a week of exploration and personal growth. Each day unfolded new experiences, from cooking traditional dishes and exploring historical neighborhoods to visiting the renowned Palace Museum and hiking Elephant Mountain. Students engaged meaningfully with local artisans, including artists on the autism spectrum, fostering empathy and understanding through collaborative artwork. A highlight was the visit to the indigenous Atayal tribe, where students learned about traditional practices, the importance of preserving cultural heritage, and how to respect and care for nature. This 6-day trip not only provided insights into Taiwanese culture but also encouraged reflection on diversity, resilience, and the value of community connections. Ultimately, this journey was a profound blend of Creativity, Activity and Service which was full of learning and personal development, leaving lasting memories and insights.
Jun: Today we did a lot of things. We started the day by going to a cooking class, we made xiao long bao and it was really fun. The final activity today was going to the night market. I tried many new foods that I never tried before. They were all great and new experiences.
Annette: The scavenger hunt showed me that collaborating makes it easier.
Clara: Our first activity of the day was visiting the Palace Museum. We learnt about the different materials used (bronze, jade, ceramic and paint/calligraphy) and how impressive and difficult the designs were for their time.
Wilfred: Today we did a gruelling hike. It felt like Mount Everest! I persevered and though my legs started to turn to lead, I continued. This is important in real life because if we give up easily, the real “reward” waiting for us at the end will be missed and not be received.
Angie: The main activity of the day was our visit to an NGO centre that aims to support artists with autism spectrum disorder. I got to interact with many of the artists present, which was quite fulfilling, especially since they said they did not experience much human interaction.
Christy: Today in the morning when we were going to eat, I did the talking (in Mandarin) so I was brave because I wanted to speak more Mandarin and speak up more.
Audrey: Today we visited an indigenous tribe in the mountains of Taiwan, called the Tranan Tribe. At first, my feelings were a bit mixed, seeing the tattoos they had and they did seem a bit intimidating. But upon arrival, I saw that they were pretty modern and friendly.I found it really interesting to see how much they cared for their land and resources, something not all of us do these days.
