The Office of International Affairs (OIA) at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) hosted a creative DIY Christmas event in late December 2025 to welcome the holiday season with students and staff from around the globe. The workshop brought together 80 participants from diverse national backgrounds—including Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Saint Lucia, Haiti, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines—to craft mosaic coasters and share warmth and blessings through the creative process.
The highlight of the event was the “Blessing Exchange” activity. For this segment, rather than keeping their own handiwork, participants received a coaster made by someone else. A staff member dressed as Santa Claus distributed the finished pieces based on randomized seat numbers, adding an element of anticipation and surprise. Before beginning their work, each participant wrote a heartfelt message and signed the back of their coaster, transforming the craft into a meaningful vessel of holiday cheer.
The atmosphere at the event was vibrant and warm, and as the participants worked out their designs, they exchanged cultural insights and life experiences with each other, embodying a spirit of cross-cultural interaction. When Santa revealed the results of the gift exchange, the room was filled with laughter and surprise as everyone felt the genuine kindness and well-wishes of their peers.
Through the activity, the Office of International Affairs aimed to provide a relaxed and welcoming platform for international students and staff to build connections. By fostering these bonds in a festive environment, the university hoped to leave participants with unforgettable Christmas memories as they move forward into 2026.
