【Article by Chinese Language Center】

Since 2021, our university has been participating in the Ministry of Education’s Taiwan Huayu BEST Program, which promotes Mandarin education in Taiwan and encourages domestic universities to establish academic partnerships with institutions in Europe and the United States through language teaching. Each year, the program attracts outstanding students from overseas to study intensive Mandarin courses at our Chinese Language Center for three to nine months, and it has achieved remarkable results. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the program.

The "Big Hands Holding Small Hands" activities were created in response to the domestic bilingual policy, aiming to provide elementary and middle school students with more opportunities to use English and learn about foreign cultures. Through the "Big Hands Holding Small Hands" activities, foreign students not only improve their Chinese language skills but also have the opportunity to experience Taiwanese culture firsthand. This summer, the program office organized a series of "Big Hands Holding Small Hands" cultural exchange activities, inviting 10 outstanding scholarship recipients from the University of Virginia (UVA) and Virginia Military Institute (VMI). It is the first time for these 10 American Huayu BEST scholarship recipients to study Chinese at our university's Chinese Language Center. In July, the American students joined 23 students from Shenkeng and Shifen Elementary Schools in the peak summer heat. Their fruitful experiences turned the sweltering weather into warm cross-cultural memories.

On July 27th, the second trip took participants to the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology in Keelung, where they partnered with 8 students from Shifen Elementary School to explore Taiwan's maritime heritage. Together, the groups learned about Taiwan's fishing industry, from traditional methods to modern techniques.

Since fishing is also a popular recreational activity in America, the American students shared photos of their fishing experiences from back home, immediately attracting a group of curious elementary students. The museum’s interactive exhibitions fostered a warm and relaxed environment, encouraging both groups to practice language skills and engage in cultural exchange.

This July, the “Big Hands Holding Small Hands” initiative provided Taiwanese and American students with invaluable opportunities for genuine interaction, building cultural bridges through shared experiences. Cross-cultural exchange broke down language barriers, creating fond memories for students from both countries.