Ecotourism Program: Nurturing an Alternative Career
The vocational Ecotourism Program from National Taitung University Affiliated Physical Education High School (NTPEHS) was developed by ACF in effort to nurture an alternative career prospect for its graduating students. NTPEHS is a public high school that focuses on developing professional athletes, however, only 3-5% of a graduating class will pursue a career in athletics. By creating the Ecotourism Program, ACF and NTPEHS aims to open possibilities to the other 95% of students.
The tourism industry is not only a growing industry in the Huatung region of Taiwan, it is also constantly in demand for professionals. The one year vocational program offers specialized training to develop professional guides for bicycle tours, extreme sport excursions, environmental tours, marine eco tours, and bed and breakfast management. The goal of the program is to broaden student horizons, and to help cultivate a second career interest. ACF hopes that the program will open job opportunities to students in their hometown which will avoid skip generation upbringing, and preserve family units.
The program, designed by Wen-Ruey Lee, General Manager of Crazy Travel, and Patrick Su, Professor of National Kaohsiung Hospitality College who has over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, promotes experiential learning. It is taught by professionals who understand the demands of the current job market and offers students a learning experience that will be relevant to their employment prospects.
To conclude each school year, graduates who participate in the Ecotourism Program are required to plan the graduating class’ 4-day 3-night graduation trip as an evaluation of learning achievement. The trip will involve long distance cycling aimed to challenge each other’s perseverance. The 300 kilometer cycling route from Taitung to Kenting gathers a total of 35 students, where 6 of them will be in charge of planning the itinerary and taking up the role of lead cyclist and accompanying cyclist. As safety is imperative, the students are accompanied by cycling tour professionals, technicians, safety coaches, photographers and school teachers to oversee the entire expedition, to lead and control the speed, and to monitor student health.
Through teamwork, the graduating trip also aims to develop peer support and respect, experience, and of course, to have an unforgettable graduation getaway. Planning the trip will not only offer a hands-on experience but allows students to practice material learned from lectures.
Through teamwork, the graduating trip also aims to develop peer support and respect, experience, and of course, to have an unforgettable graduation getaway. Planning the trip will not only offer a hands-on experience but allows students to practice material learned from lectures.
