Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology has been working on the Ministry of Education's “Friendly Taiwan—International Student Reception and Homestay Project.” On November 17, South Taiwan University of Science and Technology held the Achievement Exhibition and Cultural Exchange Thanksgiving Dinner for its 9th Anniversary. Su-Miao Liu, Special Committee Member of the International and Cross-Strait Education Department, together with other distinguished guests, joined the dinner and recalled the growth of the project this year. They also invited international students to bring home-cooked dishes and convey their gratitude to the host family through a delicious meal. This rare event invited 80 enthusiastic Taiwanese host families to participate. The entire event was both lively and warm.

【Curry chicken by students from Ethiopia】

The office of "Friendly Taiwan—International Students Reception Homestay Project" has been promoting training reception homestay families at home and abroad for nine years. A total of 3,985 families have completed the training. This year, in line with the government's New Southbound Policy, the host families and international students will have new experience with the cultural diversity of those countries in Southeastern Asia. In order to create more convenient training and communication channels, the "Online Training and Automated Matching System" has been developed and offered. New families can now join host families through online training courses.

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

The event invited ten groups of Super Chefs from international students and host families to complete the cooking work together with the Department of Hospitality Management of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology. They laughed and enthusiastically produced special hometown dishes that were all full of emotions. They were able to learn more about each other and everyone’s national food and culture. Miss Long, the family that received Spanish students, said happily that she had deepened her feelings with the students through exotic cuisine and also knew each other's food culture. It was a beautiful feast where the East met the West! Chantel A Pemberton from St. Christopher and Neville began to participate in the project two years ago and met the host family Miss Wang through the Tea Party in North District last year. Joining this event together, Pan Beichen said that his hometown is far away from Taiwan, and he hoped that Taiwanese would also taste the dishes of St. Christopher and Neville. Through this activity, they could exchange their cultures with Taiwanese families and express their love for the host family. He was very grateful to all these.

【South Taiwan University of Science and Technology held the Achievement Exhibition and Cultural Exchange Thanksgiving Dinner for its 9th Anniversary, inviting Special Committee Member Su-Miao Liu of the Ministry of Education, Vice President Hong-De Chang of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, teachers and students of the Department of Hospitality Management, distinguished guests, and international students for a group photo.】

Vice President Hong-De Chang of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology said in his speech that the internationalization based on Taiwan has always been the educational philosophy of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology. In addition to expanding the international perspective of its students, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology is also committed to promoting the internationalization of higher education in Taiwan. In 2010, it was commissioned by the Ministry of Education to host the "Friendly Taiwan—International Student Reception and Homestay Program" to promote Taiwan's higher education. It enhances other countries’ understanding and support for Taiwan; on the other hand, it also promotes the international development of the universities, raises the standard of higher education, and broadens the international horizon of domestic students. Su-Miao Liu, Special Committee Member of the Ministry of Education, also said that since the promotion of the project, the Planning Office has continued to expand the participation of family volunteers and international students through training courses and various cultural experiencing activities. 30 colleges and universities have established a family-friendly mechanism for international students and matched 4,816 overseas students with 2,723 families. Thanks to the warm and priceless hospitality of Taiwanese families, international students have all regarded Taiwan as their second home.

【10 groups of Super Chefs from international students and host families were invited to complete special hometown dishes with laughter and enthusiasm, working together with the Department of Hospitality Management of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology produced that were all full of emotions.】

【Special Committee Member Su-Miao Liu of the Ministry of Education was delivering a speech.】

【The cultural exchange dinner was introduced by international students to Su-Miao Liu, Special Committee Member of the Ministry of Education and Hong-De Chang, Vice President of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology. 】

【Hainan Chicken Rice by Malaysian students】