【Article by OIC】
In the 2025–26 academic year (114th academic year), NCCU launched its first-ever 16-week semester system. To welcome international students, the Office of International Cooperation (OIC) organized six orientation activities in the week leading up to the start of classes. Kicking off on August 26 with the “One-Stop Registration”, the lineup also included a “Host Family Gathering,” “International Student Orientation,” a bilingual “Fire Drill & Earthquake Simulation,” as well as a “Dadaocheng & Wanhua Day Tour.” These diverse events guided nearly 500 degree-seeking and exchange students in quickly becoming familiar with their new environment and embarking on their academic journey in Taiwan.

The International Student Orientation drew 330 attendees. NCCU President Tsai-Yen Li welcomed the new students by assuring them that Taiwan is not as dangerous as some may imagine, though the hot weather is indeed a challenge. He emphasized that NCCU’s mission goes beyond Taiwan, cultivating talent for the world. He also noted that the university will celebrate its centennial in two years, and invited students to join this milestone. With a touch of humor, he added: “You won’t only see me at the opening and graduation ceremonies. If you bump into me on campus, feel free to come and chat.”

Yi-Ning Chen, Vice President of NCCU’s Office of International Cooperation (OIC)OIC encouraged international students to immerse themselves in Taiwanese culture—exploring night markets, hiking NCCU’s back mountain trails, tasting stinky tofu, and trying the world’s best bubble tea—while reminding them that OIC is always here to support them whenever challenges arise.

German student Ada Schaefer, who attended the orientation, said that although Taiwan is hot, “this difference is exactly why I came.” Japanese exchange students Shusuke Kumaki, Shuhei Hara, Hikaru Aihara, Kota Maruyama, and Masamune Kashiwabara mentioned they came to Taiwan to learn Chinese, and receiving the symbolic Taiwanese snack “Green Kuai Kuai”—meant to bring good luck—at the event made them feel both amused and warmly welcomed.

This year’s One-Stop Registration was also a success, with 115 international students completing academic verification and registration procedures within just three hours. Students received their brand-new student ID cards and enjoyed free ice cream to mark the beginning of their study journey. Guatemalan student Edgar Daniel Lam Matus expressed appreciation for the detailed pre-arrival instructions that gave him peace of mind, while Hungarian student Reka Koleszar shared that NCCU’s strong reputation in international relations and social sciences was what motivated her to pursue studies overseas.

Ahead of the semester, OIC also organized cultural trips, including a Dadaocheng cultural tour and a Wanhua day trip. Students tried on traditional qipao(cheongsam) at the Dadaocheng Visitor Center and took photos in nostalgic settings such as Ke-An Chinese Medicine Shop. The Wanhua trip featured visits to Longshan Temple, Bopiliao Historic Block, and the Ximenkou branch of Honganji Temple, allowing students to learn about the history and development of Taipei’s old town districts.

NCCU was recognized by the Ministry of Education in 2024 for excellence in international student services. The number of international admission applications for the 2025–26 academic year increased by 230 compared to last year, and the 260 new exchange students this semester set a record high. In response to the growing international student population, OIC has further expanded the host family program and strengthened administrative internationalization, with the aim of building an even more welcoming and inclusive campus environment.