Voices of the Atayal – Heritage, Sustainability, and Critical Zones

Join us on a transformative three-day educational journey to Yilan County to explore the rich cultural heritage of the Atayal tribe, one of Taiwan’s largest indigenous groups. This trip offers students an opportunity to learn from Atayal ecological practices, visit an experimental elementary school that interweaves traditional knowledge into modern education, and engage with a tribe elder and master craftsman.

Students will take part in hands-on activities like traditional cooking and weaving, learn about sustainable practices regarding architecture, hunting, oral traditions, and craftsmanship. Deliverables will include making a short video documentary of their experiences around Atayal culture and the region, reflect on the relationality of indigenous practices to their own disciplines, and make contributions to public knowledge in this field on Wikipedia.

Students are expected to arrange their own airfares, visa, and other transportation costs and must arrive Taipei on 16 Jan 2025. Up to HK$$800 will be reimbursed to students for the flights upon completion of the trip and all deliverables.

Participating students need to attend a compulsory pre-trip preparation workshop and submit passport copy with confirmation of flight details to Common Core. Basic expenses in Taiwan will be fully covered (including local facilitator and translator, coach from Taipei to Yilan County, shared two nights of accommodation (in a Minsu), workshops, and main meals). 

After completion, students will be eligible to earn a certificate and apply for two (2) non-graduating academic credit through HKU Horizons (The credit appears on your transcript but does not count towards your GPA or graduation).

For further information, please contact the Common Core at commoncore@hku.hk.