【Article by BMO】

National Chengchi University (NCCU) hosted the "Global TOP1000 Policy-Oriented Overseas Study Achievement Sharing Session" on October 7. The event brought together faculty and students who traveled to seven countries—Japan, Spain, the United States, Thailand, Singapore, France, and South Korea—to share their cross-disciplinary practical outcomes in student governance, diplomacy, supply chains, Indigenous cultures, University Social Responsibility (USR), and innovative entrepreneurship.

The exchange topics covered a wide range of fields, including university clubs in Japan's Kanto region, diplomatic experience in Spain, forward-looking leadership training at Arizona State University (ASU) in the U.S., exploration of Ainu culture in Hokkaido, the Taiwan-Thailand USR Youth Leader Seed Program, summer innovation and entrepreneurship courses in Singapore, summer studies at Sciences Po in Paris, exchanges at Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea, and field trips to Silicon Valley. These experiences demonstrated how studying abroad helps students re-examine their academic fields and future directions.

In his opening remarks, NCCU President Tsai-yen Li stated that the key significance of this sharing session lies in disseminating overseas experiences throughout the campus. Describing these rare opportunities as "a gift from heaven," he encouraged teams to re-evaluate three core questions: "Why did you set off?", "How did the actual experience differ from your initial expectations?", and "What did you truly bring back?" He emphasized that in the future, students do not need to wait for opportunities; as long as they identify true value, they can proactively create new plans and resources for themselves.

From Paris to Seoul: Re-evaluating "How We Learn" in Overseas Classrooms
Associate vice president of International cooperation Cho-hsin Su noted that Sciences Po places exceptional emphasis on critical thinking, debate, and discussion, requiring students to adapt their learning styles amidst cross-cultural environments and high-intensity reading assignments. Ho Tse-wen from the Department of Japanese Studies earned top marks in the "Contemporary Challenges to Democracy" course, highlighting NCCU students' outstanding academic performance in international classrooms.

Ho shared that the course relied heavily on extensive reading and text-based debate. Rather than delivering one-way lectures, the professor constantly questioned conceptual boundaries, training students to define terms, accept challenges, and refine arguments. This experience gave him a fresh appreciation for the solid intellectual foundation built at NCCU. By contrast, the study trip to Sungkyunkwan University, led by Professor Hsueh Chien-wu, focused on an all-English environment, cross-cultural collaboration, and personal growth.

Hu Chu-huan from the Department of Chinese Literature shared that the workload at Sungkyunkwan University was intense, and the final presentation required students to speak without relying on smartphones or notes. His most significant takeaway was a shift in personality—moving from an introverted mindset to actively engaging with international peers. As an aspiring educator, he hopes to translate this experience into valuable insights for future multicultural education.

From Concept to Execution: Witnessing Practical Innovation in Singapore, ASU, and Silicon Valley
The summer innovation and entrepreneurship program in Singapore was planned by Professor Lin Shih-yuan, Executive Director of the Center for Industry collaboration and Innovation Incubation, in collaboration with Singapore Management University (SMU) to guide students through complete business logic. Master's student Liao Kuan-hao (College of Communication) and Liao Shih-kai (Department of International Business) reflected that the course shifted their perspective on entrepreneurship from merely "having a good idea" to addressing "whose problem this idea actually solves."

The ASU Forward Innovation Leader Training Program integrated supply chains with urban governance. Tsao Dun-min from the Department of Advertising (then Student Association President) mapped textbook concepts onto real-world warehouse logistics. He also discussed TSMC's plant setup challenges regarding talent and water resources with the Mayor of Phoenix, subsequently bringing digital product development practices back to student organizations at NCCU.

The "Hero Lab" Silicon Valley field trip, led by Professor Lo Wen-chien from the X College, visited sites such as Stanford StartX and Google. Lin Tzu-hsien from the Department of Sociology developed a deep appreciation for how investors value resilience—the ability to "stand back up after failure." Wen Yu-an shared that her greatest harvest was learning not to self-impose limits, taking action on ideas, and experiencing the mutual support culture of "Founder helps founder."

From Cultural Preservation to USR: Reinterpreting "Locality" in Hokkaido and Thailand
The Hokkaido Ainu Culture Exploration and Exchange Program focused on cultural preservation and identity. Chou Tsai-tzu from the Department of Advertising noted that prior to the trip, her perception of Ainu culture was limited to visible forms like attire, crafts, dance, and museum displays. Experiencing it firsthand allowed her to grasp the underlying history, land rights, identity, and ethnic struggles, realizing that cultural understanding requires asking deeper questions about historical origins.

Chen Yi-zhe from the Department of Ethnology approached the experience through his own Taiwanese Indigenous background, comparing the differences and similarities between the Ainu and Taiwan's Indigenous peoples in terms of legal recognition, policy, and cultural revitalization. This led him to reflect on the significance of Taiwan's current institutional framework and cultural resources, concluding that cultural exchange goes beyond recognizing symbols—it demands an understanding of historical context and contemporary reality.

The Taiwan-Thailand USR Youth Leader Seed Program visited Thammasat and Mahidol universities as well as local communities to observe how SDGs and University Social Responsibility are implemented on the ground. The project not only preserved minority languages, visual records, and cultural materials, but also transformed research into public formats like board games and mobile museums. During a presentation on the circular economy, faculty and students were struck by the concept that "there is no true waste, only resources placed in the wrong spot," sparking further discussion on space allocation and resource activation on campus.

From Student Governance to Diplomacy: Observing Institutional Differences in Japan and Spain
The Kanto University Club Exchange Delegation visited Tsukuba, Waseda, and Keio universities to examine student governance, club evaluation systems, facility management, and budget allocations. Chang Kai-chiun from the Department of Radio & Television analyzed the distinction between Japan's highly disciplined "Bukatsu" (sports/official teams) and interest-driven "Circle" cultures, noting how both deeply shape student life. Chang also observed that some Japanese clubs presented cultural barriers to international students, which highlighted NCCU's comparative advantage in multilingual and cross-cultural club environments. The team further explored how Japanese universities use space and events to build a shared campus identity.

In the Spanish Diplomatic Career Exploration Program, Liang Yi-chi from the Department of European Languages and Cultures combined her volunteering experience at a zoo to compare the management and pricing systems of the Taipei and Madrid zoos. The team also visited diplomatic institutions and think tanks, entering field settings with personal research questions to convert classroom knowledge into practical experience.

From "Student Transformation" Back to Higher Education: Unlocking Greater Potential
As each team presented their findings, the floor discussion naturally shifted from "what was seen abroad" to the core purpose of education. President Li Tsai-yen noted that witnessing real personal growth in students is the most fulfilling aspect of being an educator. He remarked that educators should never prematurely assume a person cannot change, but rather believe that personality, character, and interpersonal skills always have room to grow.

In closing, President Li summarized that the outcomes achieved by all teams far exceeded expectations. He stated that an ideal university education should help students break out of conventional frameworks, broaden their mindsets, and leverage "external stimuli" like international exchanges to expand their vision for the future. Ultimately, the value of studying abroad cannot be measured in monetary terms—it relies not simply on "going out into the world," but on whether students can convert those experiences into new ways of thinking and acting, bringing those insights back to NCCU to make a lasting impact.