An orientation program welcoming this year’s new international students was held last Thursday (September 20) at the Ching-sheng International Conference Hall. The orientation was opened by Dr. Flora Chang’s, the President of TKU, talk, in which she extended her warmest welcome to the 200 strong international students. In particular, she urged them to interact as much as possible with local students during their studies here. Such interactions, she maintained, will help them improve their Chinese as well as making TKU a truly international campus.

This year’s international students are from all parts of the world, ranging from Malaysia to Honduras. At intervals, all kinds of exotic languages could be heard when they were attempting to get to know one another. A lot of them were excited to learn about TKU and Taiwan. After the presentation about the university, a girl from Belgium was very satisfied with the care and information TKU had provided thus far. She is a Chinese major and hopes to improve her skills while she is here.

Dr. Tai Wan-chin, the newly appointed Vice President for the International Affairs expressed his optimism about the impact on the university by receiving a steadily increasing number of international students over the past two years. This increase, he said, can promote TKU’s reputation to various corners of the world, and it will allow TKU to become a stimulating international academic environment.

Following the presentation, a dinner party was prepared to commemorate the Mid-autumn Festival. Both Chinese and Western foods were offered in addition to the foods traditionally savored for this special occasion: moon cakes and pomelos.

Certainly, being international is not a one-way street. TKU also encourages local students to go abroad. Therefore, a presentation informing about the Third Year Study Abroad Program will be held this week on September 27 at the same venue at noon (Ching-sheng International Conference Hall). Those who want to become an exchange or visiting student at one of TKU’s sister universities should not miss it. ( ~Ying-hsueh Hu )