The Ministry of Education held an achievement exhibition to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its Taiwan Hostfamily Program. The event was attended by Administrative Deputy Minister Meng-Chi Liu the Ministry of Education, and Director Zu-An Bi of the International Department of Education and Cross-Strait Education, President Deng-Maw Lu of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology. In addition, special representatives from Indonesia, India, Thailand, and Kiribati were invited, along with representatives from Chinese Medical University, National Union University, Fu Jen University, Wenzao Foreign Language University, Chihlee University of Technology, and Gaoyuan University of Science and Technology. The representatives participated in the grand event and expressed their appreciation for the achievements and hard work of the host family program over the past decade.

【The 10th Anniversary Achievement Exhibition invited Administrative Deputy Minister Meng-Chi Liu the Ministry of Education (fourth from the left) and the president of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Lu Mao President Deng-Maw Lu of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology (third from the left), and the guests and international students.】

The event kicked off with an achievement film for the 10th Anniversary. Looking back on the growth and developing over the past decade, STUST invited 2 groups of host families and international students to share their experiences. The family hostess Miss Huan-Liang Tsai said that she and India Student Nirmal Kumar Chaturyedl has known each other for 4 years. She even went to India to visit his family as well as the local schools to introduce Taiwan's humanities, history, and culture. Chaturyedl said that after graduating from Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, he had an opportunity to develop his career in the Netherlands. Yet, after some discussions with Miss Tsai’s family, he decided to stay here, because Taiwan is not only part of a studying process for him, but also his second home now. Another family hostess, Miss Dao-Yuan Shia and Nicaragua student Gabriela Travisany (Gaby), generously shared their tips and experiences of integrating into each other's lives. They often visited Taiwan's scenic spots and tasted specialties; Gaby went to the school of Miss Shia's daughter to sharing the cultural characteristics and customs of Nicaragua, serving as a volunteer in the campus tour and showing the warmth of the family. In addition, 12 international students from Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Spain, Kiribati, and Burkina Faso were arranged to sing the Taiwanese song "Thank You for Your Love" and give flowers to the distinguished guests, showing their most sincere love and gratitude to Taiwan and the host families.

【Administrative Deputy Minister Meng-Chi Liu (third from right) presented a certificate of appreciation to each Taiwanese host family for having warmly received international students over a long time.】

The fruitful achievements of the event over the past decade have been successfully completed under the interaction of national envoys, college representatives, host family members, and international students. It is hoped that under the efforts of the Ministry of Education and Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, the Taiwan Hostfamily Program by the Ministry of Education can continue, so that the friendship between Taiwan and the rest of the world can be further strengthened and expanded to the international arena.

【The 10th Anniversary Achievement Exhibition of Taiwan Hostfamily Program by the Ministry of Education invited the guests and the international students to take a group photo.】

In his speech, Administrative Deputy Minister Liu of the Ministry of Education said that the Taiwan government attaches great importance to expanding the recruitment of overseas students to Taiwan. In addition to increasing the number of students and the internationalization of the school, Taiwan people can also show more cultural aspects to foreign people and help them know more about Taiwan. Our society, humanities, and environment have increased the interaction and understanding of the people of both sides and the establishment of friendship. It has the positive meaning of letting Taiwan go out and making the world come in. At the same time, over the past 10 years, through the implementation of Taiwan Hostfamily program, international students have experienced Taiwan's friendly environment for their studies abroad, successfully created the international brand image of Taiwan, and also demonstrated Taiwan's warmth and humanitarian touch. Since the start of the project in 1999, 4,177 families have completed the training, and 5,101 overseas students from 102 countries and regions have participated in it. Thanks to the warm reception and selfless efforts of Taiwanese families, overseas students can feel the warmth of home and take Taiwan as their second home.

【Overseas students sang the Taiwanese song "Thank You for Your Love" and brought flowers to the distinguished guests to express their gratitude to Taiwan and the family. The picture shows that Indian student Dan (left) was giving flowers to Hong-De Chang (right), Administrative Vice President of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology.】