【Article by Office of International Cooperation】

On the noon of September 4, the Office of International Cooperation (OIC) held the "Host Family and Student Welcome Lunch 2026." This academic year, a total of 30 host families—formed by faculty, staff, and retired personnel from NCCU—warmly welcomed 42 international freshmen from 21 countries. Nearly 70 faculty members, students, host family members, and the program mentor gathered in a relaxed and warm luncheon atmosphere to launch the new semester's host family program. 

During her opening remarks, Vice President for International Affairs Prof. Mei-Fen Chen shared her personal experience studying abroad with the attending students and host families. She recalled her time as a student arriving at Stanford University in the United States, where she was fortunate to receive selfless care and support from a host family composed of a retired lawyer couple. 

"Although we were complete strangers at first, this loving couple treated me like their own granddaughter," Chen reflected emotionally. "They took me around the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley, inviting me to their home every holiday so I never felt lonely living in a foreign country. To this day, whenever I think of the U.S., I feel like I still have family there—it became my second home." She noted that this profound study-abroad experience embodies the core spirit of NCCU's Host Family Program. 

Chen emphasized that the selfless passion and care offered by host families are more than just weekend outings; they "plant the seeds of lifelong connections in the hearts of young students far away from home." A warm home-cooked meal and a friendly greeting can become cherished lifelong memories for international students. She encouraged international students to step outside the university gates into local Taiwanese homes to experience genuine local culture and values. Beyond academic excellence, NCCU strives to be a campus filled with warmth and empathy, cultivating students with global perspectives and cross-cultural understanding. 

The welcome event was attended by 36 members from 27 host families, 32 international freshmen, one student family member, and the program mentor, Professor Yeh Yun Lin. According to the program plan, host families and students will participate in at least three half-day or full-day outings during the first semester (September 2026 to January 2027), communicating beforehand regarding schedules, transportation, dietary needs, and budgets. In the second semester, interactions will continue naturally based on mutual understanding. 

The atmosphere at the Welcome Lunch was vibrant as host families and students seized the time to exchange information about their languages, interests, and habits, while swapping contact details and planning their first outings together. The OIC emphasized that cultural exchange is never a one-way street: while host families introduce international students to local Taiwanese life, students also bring foreign cultures and fresh perspectives into Taiwanese households. Through the companionship of the Host Family Program, it is hoped that every international student will not only pursue their studies at NCCU, but also feel a deep sense of local belonging and gain lasting friendships that transcend borders. 

The event also featured a DIY paper house crafting activity that echoed the program's theme, "Home Beyond Borders," enhancing bonding through a fun handcrafting process. The paper houses symbolize that even though international students have left their home countries for Taiwan, there remains a caring and supportive community accompanying them as a home beyond borders, serving as a warm memento of this welcome gathering.