The Taiwanese Student Society of University College London (UCL), in conjunction with the association for Student Unions representing the Taiwan (Republic of China) in the United Kingdom (SUROCUK), organised and hosted a successful Taiwan Food and Culture Fair for the fifth consecutive year. The event, aimed at showcasing Taiwanese traditional cuisine, took place on Sunday 18th November, 2018, in a central courtyard of the UCL grounds in central London.
Participants were invited to sample traditional Taiwanese street food and refreshments such as braised pork, beef noodles, stewed eggs and bubble tea, recreating the atmosphere of a famous Taiwanese night market. At the many different food stalls stationed around the quad, visitors were able to learn about the history and customs relating to the dishes on display, before tasting the freshly-cooked produce for themselves.
Furthermore, the Education Division of the Taipei Representative Office in the UK set up a ‘Study in Taiwan’ stall during the event in order to promote the various study opportunities offered by universities in Taiwan and supply information upon the Taiwanese government’s scholarship programmes for international students. The Director of the Education Division, Dr Nicole Yen-Yi Lee, was present at the stall to hand out brochures and answer questions from interested students.
As in previous years, the Taiwan Food and Culture Fair was an enjoyable experience for all involved, bringing together students and visitors of a wide range of nationalities. The UCL Taiwanese Student Society was able to increase knowledge of traditional Taiwanese food and culture, while providing the Education Division with a well-attended platform to promote opportunities for Mandarin and degree study at Taiwanese institutions.
