Three members of the Tamkang University community—French Section alumna Yu-Hsuan Kuo of the Department of European Languages, senior student To-Hsien Geng, and sophomore Lan Ching-Wen from the Department of Diplomacy and International Relations—have been selected for the Overseas Community Affairs Council's (OCAC) 2026 Taiwan Youth and Overseas Expatriate Bridging Program. As Youth Ambassadors, they will travel overseas beginning in late June to promote Taiwan's international image and strengthen connections with overseas Taiwanese communities in Paris, France, and Chicago, United States.
The Taiwan Youth and Overseas Expatriate Bridging Program annually selects outstanding university students to participate in week-long overseas study visits during the summer. Participants are grouped according to language proficiency and assigned to different destinations. This year, in addition to the traditional English track, the program introduced French, Japanese, Korean, and New Southbound language groups. Tamkang University achieved outstanding results, with two students selected for the French track and one for the English track.
This year's program will send 84 participants to seven cities worldwide—Chicago, Melbourne, Paris, Tokyo, Seoul, Ho Chi Minh City, and Kuala Lumpur—with 12 participants selected for each destination. The itinerary includes internships with overseas community affairs organizations, visits to Taiwanese communities abroad, cultural activities, youth exchanges, visits to mainstream institutions, Taiwan promotion campaigns, and creative cultural outreach projects. The program aims to broaden participants' international perspectives, strengthen ties with overseas Taiwanese communities, and introduce Taiwan to overseas compatriots and international friends.
Among the 50 applicants competing for 12 places in the French-language group, Yu-Hsuan Kuo stood out thanks to her strong French-language qualifications, including the required DELF/DALF or TCF A2 certification. Currently pursuing a master's degree in French at Fu Jen Catholic University, Kuo previously gained valuable experience through an internship at Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the Ministry of Education's Public Sector Internship Program for University Students. She believes that both her practical experience and confidence during the final interview contributed to her selection. Looking ahead, she hopes the program will deepen her understanding of Taiwan's overseas community affairs, diplomatic missions, and international academic exchanges, providing valuable insights for her future career.
To-Hsien Keng, a recent graduate aspiring to pursue a career in international trade, holds a bachelor's degree in French and has nearly completed a minor in International Business. Equipped with excellent foreign-language communication skills, she recalled feeling that her French interview was "a little hesitant." However, during the talent demonstration, she confidently performed Taiwanese pop singer Jeannie Hsieh's song Lian Wu Gong, accompanied by choreography she had practiced from the music video, leaving a lasting impression on the interview panel. She also expressed her gratitude to retired Associate Professor Pei-Hua Lee of the French Section for her recommendation and guidance. In her recommendation letter, Professor Lee described Geng as "one of the finest and most impressive students I have taught in more than forty years of teaching," praising her cheerful personality, articulate communication skills, clear thinking, strong event-planning abilities, confident stage presence, and adaptability—qualities that helped her earn the judges' recognition.
Ching-Wen Lan, a sophomore transfer student, was selected for the English Track / Chicago Delegation. She previously received the MOE Study Abroad Scholarship to study at Buena Vista University in Iowa, United States, and has represented Tamkang University at international forums, introducing Taiwanese culture to students from around the world. Having served in leadership positions in various student organizations and as a master of ceremonies for numerous campus events, Lan has developed strong communication and public engagement skills that distinguished her in the highly competitive selection process. She is particularly looking forward to visiting government agencies, especially the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, where she hopes to gain first-hand insight into local governmental operations and better understand the differences between administrative systems in the United States and Taiwan. She also hopes to visit Google's Chicago office to learn more about the American workplace and gain inspiration for her future career planning.
