A team of graduate students led by Prof. Francisco Luis Perez from Institute of Latin American Studies, TKU, visited on May 13 the Tien Mu suburban district where ambassadors from Paraguay, Honduras and Guatemala are stationed.

In return, their visit aroused tremendous interest among these foreign dignitaries from Latin America. After the interview, they all expressed their genuine interest to visit TKU in the near future. How soon? “As soon as possible,” they said.

They started the interview by first making a brief introduction of the countries they come from. Then students asked questions and their topics include: Latin American women’s rights in public administration; the education status in Latin America; the possibility of forming a free trade pact in Greater America; the general status of an overseas Chinese residing in the host countries in Latin America: their social position, living condition and how much a chance he/she stands in terms of local politics, and lastly, the impact brought on by Argentine financial crisis.

They were being very diplomatic when they mentioned their stay in Taiwan. For instance, Madame Margarita Duron de Galvez, the Honduras ambassador to Taiwan, owned that she will surely miss Taiwan once she leaves here and sent away by her own country to another place, because people here are awfully nice and friendly to her.

They also took a very affirming attitude toward the A Bian government, which they said, has initiated a very active relationship with Latin American countries. They also mentioned ROC Vice President Dr. Lu Hsiu-lien who has visited Latin America many times.

Prof. Perez, in assessing the visit, said that he was satisfied with his students’ overall performance. For one thing, the whole visit was conducted in Spanish and the questions students asked were not shallow; they have a sense of perception. It was a successful learning experience to all who participated in.