[Lifestyle] Taiwanese Scouts Visit Indonesia for Exchange, Integrating into Local Classrooms to Deepen Educational Cooperation

Eighteen youths from Taiwan's Polaris Scout Troop recently traveled to Indonesia for an educational exchange. Lai Chun-ju, the deputy troop leader, stated in an interview on the 11th that the team, based on past experience and school needs, arranged scout teaching within the existing curriculum of local schools to closely align with the students' learning environment. The Polaris Scout Troop arrived in Medan, Indonesia, on the 1st to begin a 13-day overseas educational volunteer service, promoting educational cooperation between Taiwan and Indonesia through scout education and experiential learning. This project received support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' NGO International Aid Program and is collaborating with Medan Trisakti School. Ambassador to Indonesia Hung Chen-jung visited Medan on the 9th to attend the event. He stated that scout education not only involves learning skills like knot tying and camping but also cultivates young people's ability to face society and their sense of responsibility. He expressed hope that Taiwan and Indonesia can continue to deepen exchanges through scout education and volunteer service in the future, allowing more young people to enhance their understanding through shared learning. The Polaris Scout Troop announced in a press release that last year's initial service in Medan consisted of 7 members, expanding to 18 this year, led by Troop Leader Chung Wen-yen. They also strengthened pre-trip training, curriculum design, and team division of labor. During the service period, in addition to scout courses, they also organized teacher empowerment and scout carnival activities to guide Indonesian students in learning scout skills. The Polaris Scout Troop pointed out that when encountering language comprehension gaps during teaching, Taiwanese scouts would assist Indonesian students in grasping operational methods through practical demonstrations, while Indonesian teachers helped with translation and guided students in completing activities. Lai Chun-ju told CNA that while sharing scout skills, the young scouts also learned cross-cultural communication, teamwork, and on-the-spot adaptability through practical teaching. Both Taiwanese and Indonesian teachers and students enhanced mutual understanding through classroom and cultural activities. She expressed hope to collaborate with local schools and teachers to continuously accumulate teaching and exchange experience, gradually developing a sustainable cooperation model, and providing more opportunities for Taiwanese and Indonesian youth to learn together. (Editor: Liu Hsiang-hua)