Taiwan University Students Asked to Crowdfund $50K for Hike

When 25 students from Taiwan’s National Taiwan University launched a public crowdfunding campaign asking for NT$2 million (around $50,000 USD) to cover gear, food, insurance and other costs for climbing Taiwan’s South Lake Mountain, the backlash was immediate—and brutal. Critics didn’t just question the price tag. They questioned the entire premise: why should strangers pay for what’s clearly a personal endeavor disguised as a learning experience?

In short: no, the internet did not accept the idea that climbing a mountain is automatically a public service worth $50,000—and definitely not when it's funded by donations.

The Controversial Fundraiser

The students were enrolled in a course called “Team Learning and Outdoor Leadership.” As part of their training, they planned to summit South Lake Mountain, a technically challenging and physically demanding peak. To do so, they created a crowdfunding page asking the public to finance their expedition. The ask: around $50,000 to cover all associated costs. Their argument? That the experience, struggle and eventual success would prepare them for future leadership roles.

Public Backlash

The response was overwhelmingly negative. Critics pointed out the obvious: the students were undertaking the hike for personal growth and academic credit—not for charity or public benefit. One commenter scoffed that even elementary school kids know to sell crafts or put on concerts to raise travel money. “These university students just held out their hands,” said another. Many felt the students displayed an entitled mindset, assuming the public owed them support.

The Satirical Comeback: Coffee for Taiwan

Amid the criticism, a particularly sharp-tongued netizen who went by the name “” (loosely translated as “Waiting for Ten People’s Coffee”) launched a mocking counter-campaign. Titled “Coffee for Taiwan,” it asked the public to chip in just NT$500 (about $15 USD) to buy the satirist a cup of coffee. The campaign description dripped with sarcasm: buying coffee, they claimed, was both a physical and spiritual challenge—and one that truly contributed to society. They even promised to film the coffee-buying journey as proof of achieving the “dream” through hard work and perseverance.

Why This Sparked Viral Attention

The “Coffee for Taiwan” stunt quickly went viral. Internet users shared it widely, praising its cleverness and calling it “too spicy” (a slang term for being brutally sarcastic). Many agreed it perfectly highlighted how ridiculous the original fundraising effort appeared. “Students should earn money themselves—get a part-time job, not beg,” said one respondent. Others criticized the course instructor’s defense that facing public skepticism was part of the students’ learning experience, saying that wasn’t enough without real reflection.

Not Everyone Hated the Idea

Still, a few voices defended the students. Some pointed out that passionate mountaineering communities might welcome new climbers and offer sponsorship or gear support. Others argued that crowdfunding, while awkward in this case, isn't inherently wrong. But those opinions were drowned out by the dominant reaction: that asking strangers to pay for your personal challenge is tone-deaf at best.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Taiwan University students try to raise $50,000?

The students, enrolled in a leadership course, wanted to climb South Lake Mountain and sought public donations to cover all costs including gear, food, and insurance. They framed it as a character-building exercise and leadership training, but many saw it as a personal trip asking for handouts.

How much were they trying to raise?

The students set a target of NT$2 million, which is roughly $50,000 USD, to fund their entire expedition, including equipment, transport, accommodation, meals, and insurance.

What was the “Coffee for Taiwan” campaign?

“Coffee for Taiwan” was a satirical crowdfunding effort that asked for just NT$500 (about $15 USD) to buy the creator a cup of coffee. It mocked the university students’ fundraising by pretending that even buying coffee was a meaningful personal challenge deserving public support.

Why did people react so strongly against the students’ fundraiser?

Critics felt the students were asking for money to fund a personal, academic, and recreational activity—something they should pay for themselves. Many pointed out that even children fundraise through effort, not appeals to strangers, making the students’ approach seem entitled.

Did anyone defend the students?

Yes, a minority of commentators said that some climbers might be willing to help, and that crowdfunding isn't always wrong. They also suggested the students could learn from the criticism. But these views didn’t outweigh the dominant public backlash.

What was the instructor’s response?

The course instructor stated that dealing with public rejection and skepticism was meant to be part of the students’ learning process. However, many felt this rationale didn’t excuse the lack of self-reliance or justify the large funding request.

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