【Article by OIC】
As the crisp spring air lingers, the 2024 spring semester has officially begun. This semester’s orientation welcomed international students and exchange students from nearly 30 countries, including Turkey, Canada, the United States, Poland, Peru, and Italy. Given the significant number of exchange students enrolling this spring, the Office of International Cooperation (OIC) arranged personalized support sessions based on students’ arrival times on February 14, prior to the main welcome event. These sessions provided assistance with housing, course selection, and campus life. In addition to these essential services, the OIC also organized cultural excursions, taking students to explore unique local destinations such as Dadaocheng and Beitou, offering them a firsthand experience of Taiwan’s vibrant cultural landscape.
The official welcome event took place in the auditorium on the third floor of the College of Law Building. The OIC invited NCCU’s Center for Physical and Mental Health, officers from the New Taipei City Xindian Police Department, and representatives from the Taipei City Fire Department to share important information on gender equality education, mental health resources, fraud prevention, and fire safety. The OIC team also provided clear and practical guidance on common visa issues faced by exchange students, helping them quickly adapt to life in Taiwan and smoothly integrate into the campus community.
In her speech, Associate Vice President for International Cooperation, Prof. Elain Lin, highlighted that while NCCU is renowned for its humanities and social sciences, the university is also aligning itself with global trends by developing courses in artificial intelligence and semiconductors. NCCU aims to nurture talents with interdisciplinary expertise, bridging technology and humanities to prepare students for an ever-evolving future. She also encouraged exchange students to step beyond the campus and immerse themselves in Taiwan’s rich cultural experiences, making the most of their limited time abroad.
Thais Viejo, an exchange student from Denmark, shared that this is her second semester in Taiwan. She chose NCCU as the next stop in her adventure due to its strong reputation in humanities and communication studies. She also expressed her appreciation for Taiwan’s uniquely friendly and welcoming society, which inspired her to stay and continue exploring. Meanwhile, Zuzanna Mirowska from Poland, visiting Asia for the first time, said she is eager to spend the next six months at NCCU and looks forward to gaining valuable experiences and wonderful memories.
On February 13, a day before the welcome event, international students embarked on a cultural journey to Dadaocheng, guided by the OIC team. They explored the historical charm of Dihua Street, wandered through traditional fabric markets, savored Taiwan’s famous herbal tea, and experienced the artistry of traditional glove puppetry. The tour also included a visit to the Xia-Hai City God Temple, where many students made heartfelt wishes for good luck and even romance.
For Anna-Moon Rigede from France, this trip was not just a cultural excursion but also a historical discovery. She remarked, "This journey allowed me to immerse myself in Taiwanese culture while also experiencing the beauty of history through its traditional architecture." Jonathan Hybel Hay from Denmark was pleasantly surprised by the experience. He said with a smile, "I didn't have any specific expectations for this trip, but our tour guide was incredibly attentive, making the whole experience truly enjoyable."
The cultural journey ended on a delicious note at Ningxia Night Market, where the enticing aroma of street food filled the air. Each bite of local delicacies offered a taste of Taiwan’s rich and diverse culture. For the international students, this was just the beginning of their exciting adventure in Taiwan.