To encourage students to expand their international horizons and increase their willingness to participate in overseas learning, the Office of International Affairs (OIA) held three sessions of a sharing event, entitled “Crossing Borders & New Horizons: The Truth Behind My Overseas Internship/Exchange/Study Experiences”. The sessions were held on April 28 and May 7, with six students who had previously participated in overseas exchanges, internships, and cultural programs invited as speakers. They shared their preparation journeys, academic lives abroad, and cross-cultural experiences—attracting a large number of student participants.
The sessions began with the OIA introducing the university’s various international learning resources, exchange programs, and application procedures. This was followed by presentations from students with diverse backgrounds, including the Department of Biomechatronics Engineering, the Doctoral Program at the Graduate Institute of Bioresources, the Bachelor Degree Program in Agricultural Technology (Continuing Education), the Department of Hotel and Restaurant Management, the Department of Business Administration, and the Department of Agribusiness Management. Their topics spanned overseas exchanges, internships, academic research, and cultural immersion. Chun-Yi Lee, a Section Chief at the OIA, also attended the event and offered encouragement. He explained that the event’s original intent was to use senior students’ firsthand accounts to inspire peers to plan their university careers early and courageously explore overseas opportunities to enrich their college lives with international experiences.
Tzu-Ming Chiu from the Department of Biomechatronics Engineering shared his experience participating in the TaiwanICDF International Volunteer Youth Program, where he served as an intern in Saint Lucia (a Caribbean ally of Taiwan), engaging in technical assistance activities and cross-cultural exchange. Wen-Chi Hsu, a doctoral student in the Graduate Institute of Bioresources utilized the Ministry of Education’s Scholarship for Overseas Study (Fly Out Program) to conduct academic exchanges at the Laboratory for Developmental Biology at the Faculty of Medicine, Tokushima University, and its affiliate, Setsuro Tech Inc., in Japan. Her experience focused on deepening professional research capabilities and broadening her international academic perspective.
Man-chun Chao from the Bachelor Degree Program in Agricultural Technology shared her experience at a cultural workshop held at the Asia-Pacific Rural Training Center (Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan). Through local cultural immersion and exchange activities, she gained a deep understanding of Japanese rural culture and its social environment. Chun-Yu Liang from the Department of Hotel and Restaurant Management utilized the Ministry of Education’s Pilot Overseas Internship Program to intern at hotels under Hoshino Resorts and the Anabuki Group in Japan. He shared practical insights into the international hospitality industry and the challenges of working in an overseas professional environment. Additionally, Yi-Hsuan Chiang from the Department of Business Administration and Yu-Peng Chen from the Department of Agribusiness Management shared their experiences from a cultural exchange group in Nara, Japan. Their field visits and cultural activities enhanced their understanding of Japanese history and international relations. Together, the six participants did an excellent job of showcasing the successful results of NPUST’s active participation in global learning.
Following each session, the OIA organized a Q&A session, allowing students to ask speakers immediate questions regarding application processes, language preparation, daily life adjustments, and scholarships. The interactions were enthusiastic with firsthand peer experiences giving many attendees a more concrete vision and direction for their future overseas development.
Through the event, the Office of International Affairs aimed to reduce students’ sense of uncertainty regarding overseas exchanges and help them better understand the university’s international resources. The OIA encourages students to step out of their comfort zones to build international mobility and cross-cultural communication skills. Moving forward, the university will continue to promote various international exchange and overseas study programs to provide students with more diverse learning opportunities and cultivate talent with a global perspective and cross-disciplinary capabilities.
