Taiwan Huayu BEST
👉 Encourage cooperation between universities in Taiwan and
universities in the USA & Europe.
👉 Promote Chinese language education in the USA & Europe.
💖Chinese language teachers & teaching assistants
💖Taiwan Huayu BEST Scholarships
💖Promote teaching and learning resources
💖Chinese language centers
Read more 👇
Journey to Taiwan
-by Michael Anou Nakhiengchanhl, 2020 Taiwan Scholarship Recipient
Laozi once said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Though, I never thought I would have the courage to take that first step. And I’m all the happier that I did.
As a history graduate from UT Dallas, I focused much of my time studying modern Chinese history as well as independently studying Cross-Strait relations. My professor, Dr. Farmer, recommended that I study Chinese in Taiwan to further my language skills. I applied for the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship (HES) and was awarded the one-year scholarship for which I am eternally grateful. I even had the honor of meeting the TECO Houston staff in person before leaving. Armed with the love and support of my family and friends, an open mind, and just a dash of courage, I flew to Taiwan with a blank slate.
The language school I attended was National Taiwan Normal University’s Mandarin Training Center (NTNU MTC). With very few exceptions, my experience there was absolutely amazing. The teachers were extremely dedicated to their students. Not once did I see them give up on us. We struggled and trudged our way through the myriad of grammar structures and “tingxies” (dictations), but I could see the passion and earnestness of all my classmates. They were all from different backgrounds and were just as amazing as the teachers. I found that the harder they studied, the harder I studied as well. In the end, I spent a total of two years at MTC, concluding my time there not only with a strong grasp of the language but also several lifelong friends.
However, just as important were the out-of-class interactions with the local Taiwanese. I quickly learned that I needed to make friends, so I broke out of my introverted shell and did my best to talk to them. At first, I realized that my proficiency was not enough, but as the months went by, and through the patience and teachings of my friends, I slowly discovered the “real Taiwan” outside of the classroom walls. I attended several activities such as conventions, photoshoots, day trips, and hangouts that allowed me to see Taiwan through the eyes of the Taiwanese themselves. From Taipei to Kaohsiung, from the high, cloud-tipped mountains to the blue, shiny seas, in words I cannot describe, I saw what I could truly call beauty.
After taking a break from my two years of studying abroad, I
decided to take another chance to study in Taiwan. Thus, I applied for the
Taiwan Scholarship in 2020 which I never thought I would receive. I must express
my sincerest and deepest gratitude for the staff at TECO Houston again, for
making this dream a reality. Currently, I am studying at NTNU’s Graduate
Institute of Translation and Interpretation. I’ve found many a friend in my
classmates and the professors are excellent as well.
After I graduate, I plan to stay in Taiwan in order to gain
more work experience, either in the public or private sector. I wish to
continue working on my Chinese language proficiency and also to continue to
study other languages as well. In this age of COVID, now more than ever do we
need international cooperation and understanding.
My Experience Studying Abroad in Taiwan
-by Amber Lauren Langston, 2018 Taiwan Scholarship
Recipient
I
came to Taiwan in 2018 in pursuit of a career shift. Prior to coming to Taiwan,
I had worked as a teacher for special needs, disadvantaged children, and those
who faced behavioral issues for nearly six years in the United States. While I
enjoyed my job, the overbearing lack of support from parents, administrators,
and outside factors, I decided it was no longer a career I could enjoy.
Since
my degree was in English and linguistics, I debated for a while what I could do
next, finally deciding that I would become a content and copywriter in marketing
and do so by continuing my education with a master’s degree.
Tuition
in the United States was unaffordable. I had no means to pay back hefty loans
and wanted to continue to be debt-free, so I chose to go overseas which surprisingly,
was much cheaper.
I
applied for the 2018 MOE Taiwan Scholarship and then my life journey rapidly
changed.
I
decided to attend National Chiao Tung University’s Global MBA program due to
its recognition in the country and globally. The program was successful for me
mainly because of the professors that I had. Prior to my MBA, I had no business
background at all, but with the support of my professors, I was able to
self-study and receive their support so that I could quickly build my knowledge
within a short two-year period.
Alongside
that, I met wonderful people when interviewing for my thesis. Local and foreign
involved in key moments of Taiwanese history all the way to film makers in
indigenous communities. Outside of that, I have also met other foreigners
building a community of home for our own cultures. Some of these events are
Black Lives Matter, African Heritage events, and overall women empowerment for
those in startups and other entrepreneurial activities.
Right
after college, I met my goal and more and was hired as the brand strategist and
content writer for education in the global product marketing department at my
current company. Because of a supportive, global team, my career and social
development opportunities have grown as well. From the opportunity to working
on large global campaigns, all the way to mentoring other foreign students here
in Taiwan, I have finally reached a place where I feel happy and appreciated in
my career.
I plan to stay
long term here in Taiwan and continue to learn Chinese and work more closely
with local communities and initiatives I personally enjoy. However, without the
support of my family, and the faculty at my school, and the people at the MOE
offices, this change in my life would not have been possible.
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| 照片(右至左)：駐休士頓教育組組長周慧宜、駐休士頓辦事處處長陳家彥、HISD教育委員Sergio Lira博士、教育組組員陳憶如、HISD副學區總監Michael Love及HISD策略與創新部主任Rick Cruz (後排)於台灣攤位合影 |
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| 照片：台灣攤位吸引人潮參與彈珠台遊戲 |
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| 照片：陳家彥處長(左一)於台灣攤位與學生互動 |
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| 照片：教育組攤位工作人員羅政欽(後左一)、Juliette Casas(後中)、陳俊瑋(後右一)與現場學生互動及介紹留學台灣資訊 |
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PHOTO: Conference in session
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| PHOTO: (Right) Ms. Sophie Chou, Director of the Education Division of TECO in Houston and Ms. Isabelle Chen, Coordinator of the Education Division of TECO in Houston pose at the Study in Taiwan table |
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PHOTO: Display of Study in Taiwan promoting materials
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| PHOTO: Isabelle Chen (L), Coordinator of the Education Division of TECO in Houston, introduces Taiwan MOE funded programs to a UHD student. |
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PHOTOS: UHD students attend the Study Abroad Fair
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PHOTO (L to R): Scholarship Program Coordinator Isabelle Chen, Lucas Kliphon of HES, Director Sophie Chou of the Education Division, Jonathan Wang of Taiwan Scholarship, and Consular Officer Marcy Yu pose for a photo in the lobby of TECO in Houston
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PHOTO: (left) Director Sophie Chou of Education Division of TECO in Houston and (right) President Max Castroparedes of CLCS at the University of St. Thomas pose for a photo in front of a Study in Taiwan banner
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PHOTO: Display of the advertisement materials for Study in Taiwan
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Photo: Dr. Richard Ludwick (center), president of University of St. Thomas attends the event
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Photo: (left) Director Sophie Chou of Education Division of TECO in Houston, (center) Professor Yao-Yuan Yeh of Taiwan Study Program, and (right) Director Hans Stockton of the Center for International Studies at the University of St. Thomas present to support the event
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Photo: Participants get in line for the Boba milk tea
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Photo: Participants get in line for the Boba milk tea
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| 系主任鄭欽模與博菲拉合影 |
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| 博菲拉 |
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| 齊藤(左)；博菲拉(中)；淡江大學外交與國際關係學系系主任鄭欽模(右) |
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| 師生合影 |
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| 師生三人合影 |
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| 於淡江國際學院前合影 |
