Department for Youth, Taipei City Government(青年局英文網)

In a bid to foster international exchange, Taipei City welcomed eight outstanding scholarship students from six countries—Japan, South Korea, Australia, Poland, the Philippines, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines—who have come to study Mandarin. To celebrate their arrival, the Department for Youth hosted a cultural exchange event, inviting diplomatic offices from these students' home countries in Taiwan to join. The event aimed to introduce the students to the department’s initiatives, encourage them to share aspects of their national cultures, and reflect on their experiences and observations of life in Taiwan, further promoting cross-cultural exchange.

Andrea Clare Bowman, Ambassador of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to Taiwan, and Ingrid Lennon, Deputy Head of the Economic and Policy Section at the Australian Office Taipei, attended the event. Ambassador Bowman highlighted the special relationship between Taiwan and her country, which will celebrate 45 years of independence on October 27. She emphasized that Kingstown, the capital of Saint Vincent, recently became Taipei's sister city, marking a significant milestone. Taipei is Kingstown’s first sister city in Taiwan, and Lampkin Marina is the first citizen of Kingstown to receive this scholarship. Bowman expressed her belief that this relationship will lead to more substantive exchanges and stronger ties between the two cities.

Rorie O'Kelly Wooller from Australia enthusiastically introduced the unique qualities of his hometown, the Gold Coast. He expressed gratitude to Taipei for offering him the opportunity to study Mandarin, meet students from various countries, and immerse himself in Taiwan’s culture. Although he acknowledged that learning Mandarin is challenging, he greatly appreciates Taiwan’s warm hospitality and the friendliness of its people. Kanana Kitagawa from Yokohama, Japan, shared how her previous study abroad experience in Malaysia revealed the practical importance of Mandarin for communication with local Chinese communities. Inspired by that realization and her love for Taiwan’s cuisine and diverse culture from a prior visit, she decided to apply for the scholarship to deepen her understanding of Taiwan.

Commissioner Yin Wei of the Department for Youth emphasized that the event not only served to connect the scholarship students but also represented a celebration of international friendship and cultural exchange. He mentioned that the department specifically invited diplomatic offices to participate, highlighting Taipei's close ties with the international community. Since 2005, Taipei has offered scholarships to foreigners studying Mandarin, a program that the Department for Youth has now taken over to further enhance youth-oriented international exchanges. The department hopes that these students will gain a deeper appreciation of Taipei's charm and vibrancy, enriching their study abroad experience while fostering broader international collaboration among young people.

To provide the scholarship students with a hands-on experience of Taiwanese culture, the event featured a culinary workshop led by Hakka cuisine instructor Liu Yue-lan. The students eagerly participated in a hands-on session to make Hakka-style mochi, intrigued by the traditional process of pounding the sticky rice. Under the guidance of the instructor, they crafted this iconic dish, gaining insights into Taiwanese culinary traditions while enjoying the joy of handmade food. The relaxed and cheerful atmosphere not only deepened their understanding of Taiwanese cuisine but also strengthened their friendships, leaving them with lasting memories.

The Department for Youth reported enthusiastic feedback from the students and announced plans to invite them to participate in upcoming municipal dialogue workshops, providing valuable input and fostering discussions with the local government. This initiative aims to enrich the students' study abroad journey and promote meaningful exchange between local and international youth. Starting in 2025, the department will extend the duration of the scholarship program from six to twelve months, enhancing Taipei’s city diplomacy efforts while maximizing the students' language learning experience and helping more international youth achieve their goal of mastering Mandarin.