The first International forum on overseas host families in Taiwan: “Friendly Taiwan--
Foreign Students Homestay Plan” at Southern Taiwan University of Science and
Technology, sponsored by the Ministry of Education

“Friendly Taiwan - Foreign Students Homestay Plan” at Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, sponsored by the Ministry of Education presented an international forum on overseas host families in Taiwan for the first time on the 22nd of November, inviting overseas scholars to give speeches and introduce family experience abroad, in the hope to give students in Taiwan a more perfect reception system.

【“Friendly Taiwan-- Foreign Students Homestay Plan” at Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, sponsored by the Ministry of Education】

In recent years, the number of international students studying in Taiwan has been growing year by year. In order to provide these foreign students a friendly learning environment and help them find a second home in Taiwan, in the year of 2010 Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology was commissioned by the Ministry of Education to establish an office for Friendly Taiwan - Foreign Students Homestay Plan as well as a complete network of host families, thereby providing other schools at all levels assistance in promoting the overseas student homestay mechanism. So far, it has helped a total of 28 colleges and universities establish mechanisms of host families for international students, training and certifying 3,411 households for homestay. Over the past 7 years, a total of 3,067 international students from 83 countries have been matched with 1,106 homestay families, where they are given the best chances to experience the unique human touch of Taiwanese.

【Honorary Professor David Wilmoth shared his experience with the AFS Intercultural Exchange Australia Section on Family Reception】

In order to enhance the effectiveness of the program and to be in line with international standards, the first overseas reception host family forum was held in Taiwan. Prof. Harada Tetsuo, a professor of Japanese hospitality, and David Wilmoth, a member of the board of directors of AFS Australia, came with their analyses on the impact of the family on international students and the sharing of foreign host family practices. In addition to sharing family practice in Japan and Australia, the two scholars highly supported Taiwan's host family system, because Taiwan is the only country in the world to promote host families by official government and to achieve long-term culture exchange through short-term accommodation. It has been playing a very important role in helping students adapt to the environment in Taiwan.

【Hong-De Chang, Vice President of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology was giving a speech.】

In addition, the forum also invited overseas students and host family representatives to share their reception experience. Host Family Representative Ms. Hua-Nen Tsai mentioned that participation in the program has made her shy daughter willing to chat with overseas students, and she was deeply touched. Ika Noer Syamsiana from Indonesia, now studying at Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, said that she was able to adapt to her family quickly and feel great living in Taiwan all because of the activities of the Planning Office. She was be able to meet with Taiwanese families at the same time as she met with others from different countries. As overseas students become friends, her life greatly enriched her international perspective.

【Professor David Wilmoth (left) and Professor Harada Teng (right) were sharing their experiences and ideas.】

It is believed that the Taiwan families can play a more mature role in the family reception system and create a friendly learning environment for students from outside the country. Taiwan families can also take advantage of the opportunity to serve as host families without having to go abroad. Contact with the world and, more importantly, virtually every effort to Taiwan's diplomacy, has played a pivotal role in national diplomacy.

【“Friendly Taiwan-- Foreign Students Homestay Plan” at Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, sponsored by the Ministry of Education: Vice President Hong-De Change (second from right), Director Yu-Chan Chu of Ministry of Education International and Cross-strait Education Division (left), and other VIPs】