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Taiwanese elementary students turn arduous adventures into a unique graduation exhibition

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • Yong'an Elementary School in Taitung County, Taiwan, is holding a unique graduation exhibition at the National Museum of Prehistory.
  • The exhibition, titled "Acacia Bark and Blisters: Playing with Acacia, Knocking Out Youthful Times of Mountain and Wild Exploration," features student artwork depicting their challenging three-year learning journey.
  • Students shared candid, humorous, and sometimes painful stories about their adventures, including climbing Jiaming Lake and long-distance cycling trips, revealing the "truth behind the captions."

Students from Yong'an Elementary School in Taitung County, Taiwan, are showcasing their three-year educational journey in a distinctive graduation exhibition at the National Museum of Prehistory. The event, titled "Acacia Bark and Blisters: Playing with Acacia, Knocking Out Youthful Times of Mountain and Wild Exploration," transforms their learning experiences into a museum exhibit.

Every step felt like scraping off a piece of flesh, and the smell of all our feet filled the mountain hut, like everyone was soaking in it.

— Huang YuxinA graduating student described the intense pain and strong odor experienced during a climb up Jiaming Lake.

Unlike typical polished presentations, these soon-to-be graduates, acting as guides, have candidly shared the unvarnished realities of their adventures. Their youthful, often humorous, accounts of arduous treks and cycling expeditions have left adults in stitches. They recount the intense pain of climbing Jiaming Lake, describing each step as "scraping off a piece of flesh" and the "special" aroma of their feet filling the mountain hut.

It smells 'very sour and refreshing,' as if the whole class was pickled like kimchi.

— StudentAnother student humorously described the smell of their feet after the Jiaming Lake climb.

One student recalled a cycling trip to Pingtung's "Water Grassland," which turned out to be a muddy mire. She humorously recounted falling into the mud, fulfilling the guide's warning that "someone might disappear halfway." Despite the hardships and the stark contrast between their stories and the exhibition's promotional text, the students expressed a strong desire to repeat the experience and even send their own children to Yong'an Elementary. They spoke of a deep affection for their teacher, even joking about carrying him up Jiaming Lake if he needed assistance in 10 years.

I was the one who disappeared!

— Huang YuxinHuang Yuxin recounted falling into the mud at the 'Water Grassland' during a cycling trip.

Their teacher, Lu Qingwen, calmly acknowledged the students' strong bonds and willingness to endure hardship, stating, "I'm used to it." The exhibition, through the students' raw and honest narratives, offers a powerful testament to their resilience, camaraderie, and the profound impact of their adventurous learning experiences.

Of course, we have to let them taste the hardships we've experienced.

— StudentA student expressed their willingness to have future children attend Yong'an Elementary to experience similar challenges.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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