2024/12/18 

Happy Global Village: Little Ducks from Taiwan Fly to Israel

This semester, the Israel Exchange Club welcomed Yungning members from grades 5 and 6, who took on a special mission: to connect with the distant El Ziitun - Kefar Manda school in Israel, located on the eastern Mediterranean coast. This school resides in a small village rich in history and culture, yet marked by resilience due to the impacts of war.

In this region, the shadows of conflict continue to affect children in both Palestine and Israel. Despite the challenges, Israeli teachers remain steadfast, providing quality education even under difficult circumstances, such as implementing a rotating school schedule for safety. Yungning students were deeply moved upon learning about these situations, appreciating their peaceful and free schooling in Taiwan while admiring the resilience and courage of their Israeli peers.

Yungning and El Ziitun - Kefar Manda have held two online exchanges. During the first session, the students introduced themselves and discussed their interests, discovering how similar their love for K-pop and sports was despite living in different parts of the world. Through the camera, Yongning students were also shown paintings created by their Israeli friends and couldn’t stop praising their artistic talents.

On December 18, the second session focused on sharing local cultures, and the atmosphere grew even livelier. The Israeli students gave vivid oral presentations about their religions and cuisines, explaining that in addition to Judaism, Islam is another major faith in their region. A touching moment came when they showcased hand-drawn Taiwanese flags, a heartfelt gesture that warmed the hearts of Yongning students.

When it was Yungning’s turn to present, Principal Peng began with an English blessing for the exchange. The students then took the stage one by one, delivering a presentation about the history of Duck Mother Temple and demonstrating the process of making salted duck eggs. The grand finale was the “Yungning Chef Show,” where they live-streamed the preparation of salted duck egg stir-fried water bamboo, a unique local dish. Laughing, the students asked their Israeli peers, “Can you smell it?” The Israeli teachers and students burst into laughter, replying in unison, “Yes!”

The cultural feast sparked endless curiosity. An Israeli teacher asked, “What is water bamboo?” When the dish was finished, student Peter bravely took the first bite on camera. His reaction to the hot and salty flavors—marked by a mix of surprise and amusement—had everyone on both sides laughing. In the end, Yungning students taught their friends the Chinese phrases “開動” (Let’s eat) and “好吃” (Delicious), perfectly concluding the exchange.

We look forward to meeting again next semester, continuing to deepen and broaden the cultural and friendship bridge we have built together.