![Students in an Upper School classroom smiling together.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1772720958/cincinnati/fzycotah3jhioehfpsux/DSC_0005.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1772720958/cincinnati/fzycotah3jhioehfpsux/DSC_0005.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1772720958/cincinnati/fzycotah3jhioehfpsux/DSC_0005.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1772720958/cincinnati/fzycotah3jhioehfpsux/DSC_0005.jpg","width":1192}])
Cincinnati Country Day School welcomed a group of Taiwanese students in January 2026 for a week of joint learning, cultural exchange, and community exploration.
Throughout the visit, CCDS and Taiwanese students traveled together across Cincinnati for a week filled with snow, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Both groups participated in field trips to several major Cincinnati locations: Greater Cincinnati Water Works, Over the Rhine, and Findlay Market were all featured. Students also visited The Holocaust & Humanity Center, while service at the Free Store Foodbank highlighted the realities of food insecurity and the importance of giving back. Lastly, the group went to City Hall to see how the local government operates on a daily basis. These experiences helped the two groups find common ground, compare their communities, and understand how civic systems shape daily life.
The Taiwanese students also prepared and delivered a presentation to Upper School Students focusing on SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, one of the United Nations’ global development goals. They explained how Taiwan faces significant challenges in maintaining a stable water supply due to drought cycles, typhoon contamination, and limited freshwater storage. The presentation also covered how domestic wastewater in Taiwan is collected through sewer pipelines and treated at major facilities, including one of the most important wastewater treatment plants in Tainan City.
During the week, students also participated in a lesson connected to The Great Kindness Challenge. Created by Kids for Peace, The Great Kindness Challenge invites students worldwide to complete as many acts of kindness as they can in one week, promoting empathy, connection, and a stronger school climate. promoting the idea of performing “five deeds a day.” The message emphasized that successful communities rely on cooperation and support from everyone.
As hosts, CCDS students were reminded that they represent their school and its values. Rhoda Weston, faculty advisor, encouraged them to “uphold the Country Day statement so others will do the same." The exchange offered students a chance not only to learn alongside new friends from across the world but also to practice global citizenship in their own community.
In March, a group of five CCDS students will travel to Tzu Chi Senior High School in Taiwan to participate in a similar exchange, enjoying a week of cultural exchanges and activities.
Click here to view more photos from the Taiwanese students' visit to Cincinnati.
Article written by Leon Hall `27