台湾ふしぎ発見記（井坂ゆかり）Mystery Discovery in Taiwan!– by Yukari Isaka
〜 国立成功大学で見つけた“つくば”と歴史〜
〜 Unexpected Encounters with “Tsukuba” and History at National Cheng Kung University〜
2026年3月18日から21日にかけて、筑波大学看護科学学位プログラムの教員3名で、台湾・台南市にある国立成功大学（National Cheng Kung University, NCKU）を訪問しました。今回の訪問では、今後の学位プログラム間の連携に向けた打ち合わせを行うとともに、看護分野の教員同士のミーティングや病院・関連施設の見学を通して、教育・研究・臨床の各側面から交流を深める貴重な機会となりました。
From March 18 to 21, 2026, three faculty members from the Degree Program in Nursing Science at University of Tsukubavisited National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Tainan, Taiwan.
During the visit, we held discussions on future collaboration between our degree programs, while also strengthening connections among nursing faculty members through meetings and visits to hospitals and related facilities. It was a valuable opportunity to deepen our exchange across education, research, and clinical practice.
訪問した3月の台南は、天候にも恵まれ、とても過ごしやすい季節でした。やわらかな日差しの中、街全体にどこか穏やかで開放的な空気が流れており、初めての訪問でありながら、自然と肩の力が抜けるような心地よさがありました。
Tainan in March welcomed us with beautiful weather and a wonderfully comfortable atmosphere. Under the gentle sunshine, the city felt calm, open, and inviting. Even though it was our first visit, there was a natural sense of ease that made us feel relaxed right away.
実際に国立成功大学のキャンパスに足を踏み入れて、まず驚いたのは、その広さと自然の豊かさです。緑が多く、のびやかな空間が広がるキャンパスの雰囲気は、どこか筑波大学を思い起こさせるものでした。さらに印象的だったのは、キャンパス内を自転車で移動する学生たちの多さです。広いキャンパスを自転車で軽やかに行き交う姿は、まるで筑波大学にいるかのようで、「ここは本当に台南？」と思ってしまうほどでした。異国の大学でありながら、不思議と“つくばらしさ”を感じたことは、今回の訪問の小さな発見のひとつでした。
As we stepped onto the campus of National Cheng Kung University, the first thing that struck us was its vast size and abundance of greenery. The spacious, open atmosphere felt surprisingly familiar, reminding us in many ways of University of Tsukuba. What left an especially strong impression was the number of students getting around by bicycle. Watching them cycle smoothly across the expansive campus almost made us feel as though we were back in Tsukuba itself. At times, we even found ourselves thinking, “Are we really in Tainan?” Although we were visiting a university in another country, there was something unmistakably “Tsukuba-like” about the experience. Discovering that unexpected sense of familiarity became one of the small but memorable highlights of our visit.
滞在中は、看護分野の教員同士で教育カリキュラムや今後の連携の可能性について意見交換を行い、附属病院やロングタームケア施設の見学もさせていただきました。国や制度が異なっても、看護教育の質を高め、次世代の人材を育てていくという目標は共通しており、国際交流の意義をあらためて実感しました。こうした対話は、今後の学生交流や共同研究、さらには教育プログラムの発展にもつながる可能性を感じさせるものでした。
During our stay, faculty members in the field of nursing exchanged ideas on educational curricula and possibilities for future collaboration. We also had the opportunity to visit affiliated hospitals and long-term care facilities. Even though our countries and healthcare systems are different, we were reminded that we share the same goal: improving the quality of nursing education and preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals. The experience once again highlighted the value of international exchange. These conversations also gave us a strong sense of the possibilities ahead — from future student exchanges and collaborative research to the further development of educational programs.
ロングタームケア施設で特に印象的だったのは、壁に掲示されていた「高齢者が懐かしいと感じる食べ物」のイラストです。大根餅、台湾かき氷、そして仙草ゼリー。食を通じて記憶や会話を引き出す工夫に、看護ケアを感じました。なかでも私は仙草ゼリーが大好きだったこともあり、思わず嬉しくなってしまいました。ちなみに、台湾滞在中は毎食後に“おおよそ1リットルはあるのでは……”と思うほどのタピオカミルクティーが登場していたのですが、この掲示をきっかけに、翌日からはタピオカではなく仙草ゼリーミルクティーに変更してもらうことに。学びの多い訪問のなかで、思いがけず自分自身の大好物にも出会った、ちょっとした台南のふしぎ発見でした。
One of the most memorable moments at the long-term care facility was a display on the wall featuring illustrations of “foods that bring back memories for older adults.” Among them were turnip cake, Taiwanese shaved ice, and grass jelly. The thoughtful idea of using food to spark memories and conversations beautifully reflected the spirit of nursing care. I was especially delighted to see grass jelly on the list, since it has always been one of my personal favorites.
During our stay in Taiwan, we were served bubble milk tea after almost every meal — and the portions were so large that they felt as though they might contain nearly a full liter each. Inspired by the display, I decided from the next day onward to switch from bubble milk tea to grass jelly milk tea instead.
Amid such a meaningful and educational visit, it was a small but memorable “discovery in Tainan” to unexpectedly reconnect with one of my favorite treats.
写真は 「台湾甜商店」 より、仙草ミルクティー
taiwan-ten.com
Photo: Grass Jelly Milk Tea from Taiwan Ten Cafe.
そして今回の「ふしぎ発見」は、学術交流だけではありません。国立成功大学のキャンパス内には、台南を代表する風景のひとつとして親しまれているガジュマルの樹があります。大きく枝を広げたその姿は圧倒的な存在感があり、思わず「この木なんの木、気になる木」と口ずさみたくなるような、印象的な空間をつくっていました。同行していた柴山教授が調べてくださったところ、このガジュマルは1923年に、当時皇太子だった昭和天皇が台湾視察の際に自ら植樹されたものとのこと。歴史ある木が、今もなおキャンパスの中心で学生たちを見守っていることに、思わず見入ってしまいました。
Our “discoveries” on this trip were not limited to academic exchange alone. On the campus of National Cheng Kung University stands a magnificent banyan tree, one of the iconic sights of Tainan. With its enormous branches stretching wide in every direction, the tree had an overwhelming presence that instantly drew our attention. It created such a memorable scene that it almost made us want to hum, “🎵What is the name of this tree🎵 what a fascinating tree…” Professor Shibayama, who was traveling with us, later looked into its history and found that the banyan tree had been planted in 1923 by the future Emperor Shōwa during his visit to Taiwan as Crown Prince. There was something deeply moving about seeing this historic tree still standing at the heart of the campus, quietly watching over generations of students even today.
写真はウィキペディアより Photo from Wikipedia.
このガジュマルのある「榕園（ようえん）」は、成功大学の象徴的な場所でもあり、卒業シーズンには多くの学生がここで記念写真を撮るそうです。実際に訪れてみると、広々とした木陰の空間には穏やかな時間が流れ、学術的な雰囲気の中にも、台南らしい異国情緒が感じられました。大学という場の中に、学びだけでなく、歴史や文化、そして人々の思い出が自然に重なり合っていることに、深い魅力を感じました。
This banyan tree stands in “Rongyuan,” a symbolic and much-loved area of National Cheng Kung University. During graduation season, many students gather here to take commemorative photos. When we visited, the spacious shade beneath the trees was filled with a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Even within the university’s academic setting, there was also a distinctive sense of Tainan’s unique cultural charm and exotic character. What impressed me most was how naturally learning, history, culture, and personal memories seemed to coexist in this space. It reminded me that a university is not only a place for study, but also a place where generations of experiences quietly accumulate over time.
また、今回の訪問では、キャンパスの正門前で教員3人で記念写真も撮影しました。さらに印象に残ったのが、NCKUオリジナルグッズのかわいさです。ロゴ入りTシャツや帽子に加え、NCKUのTシャツを着たクマのチャームまであり、大学の魅力や愛着がこうした形にも表れていることを感じました。筑波大学にも、ぜひ“UTクマ”があったらな〜と思わずにはいられませんでした。
During our visit, the three faculty members also took a commemorative photo in front of the main gate of National Cheng Kung University. Another memorable discovery was the charm of NCKU’s original merchandise. In addition to logo T-shirts and caps, there were even adorable bear charms dressed in NCKU T-shirts. Seeing these items made us feel how the university’s identity and sense of community are expressed not only through academics, but also through these small and creative touches.
It even made us think, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if University of Tsukuba had its own ‘UT Bear’ as well?”
今回の台南訪問を通して、国立成功大学との連携に向けた具体的な対話が進んだだけでなく、「似ているようで少し違う」「違うようでどこか通じ合う」大学の風景や文化にも触れることができました。学術交流は、研究や教育の発展だけでなく、自分たちの“当たり前”を見つめ直し、新たな魅力を発見する機会でもあります。筑波大学と国立成功大学のつながりが、今後さらに実りあるものになっていくことを期待しています。
Through this visit to Tainan, we were able not only to deepen concrete discussions toward future collaboration with National Cheng Kung University, but also to experience the unique atmosphere and culture of a university that felt “similar in some ways, yet different,” and “different, yet somehow familiar.”Academic exchange is valuable not only for advancing research and education, but also for encouraging us to reflect on what we usually take for granted and to discover new perspectives and unexpected connections. We look forward to seeing the relationship between University of Tsukuba and National Cheng Kung University continue to grow into an even more meaningful and fruitful partnership in the years ahead.