Looking South Episode #49 – Taiwanese Students Studying Abroad

This week on Looking South, Eric Gau chats with two National Taiwan Normal University students, Ivy Hsu and Zhang Shihyi, about their experiences studying in New Southbound Policy target countries.

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Transcript:

Eric Gau: Good morning, and welcome to ICRT’s Looking South, our weekly look at the central government’s New Southbound Policy and its effects. I’m Eric Gau, and today I’m joined by two students from National Taiwan Normal University, Ivy Xu and Zhang Shiyi, who have studied abroad. Ladies, welcome to the show.
Ivy Xu: Hi, I’m Ivy.

Zhang Shiyi: Hello, I’m Shiyi.

Eric: Tell our listeners about yourself, where you studied, and why you chose to get your education there? Ivy, would you start?

Ivy: I’m a graduate student of National Taiwan Normal University, and my major is Social Work. There was a chance I can get an internship in Malaysia to help refugees, so I chose Malaysia for my education. My professor had visit UNHCR, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in Malaysia in 2016. She brought the information back that the UNHCR has its own internship program, and recommended our students to give it a try. Inspired by my experience being a volunteer in the Philippines, and I’m also interested in the culture of Southeast Asia and the issue of foreign workers in Taiwan and refugees, so I decided to take this chance to apply for the internship of the UNHCR in Malaysia.

Eric: And Shiyi, what about you?

Shiyi: I major in social work. Why I want to go to get my education there, I think of my past experience. In 2012, I had been in Cambodia to be a volunteer for education. And last year, my professor told us that we have a chance to go to Myanmar to practice and train. I think that was exciting information for me, so I choose Myanmar.

Eric: Could you tell us about your experiences taking part in the exchange? What did you learn? How was life different in that country?

Ivy: It was an exciting experience, because it was my first time being abroad alone and living in a foreign country. I learned to be independent and improve my problem-solving ability. During the internship, I was arranged to the Sexual and Gender-based Violence Unit in the UNHCR. Most of the refugees I met, they were suffering from sexual violence, physical violence, or socio-economic violence, like LGBT people who can’t exercise their civil, social, economic, cultural, or political rights, or harmful traditional practices, like child marriage. So I learned a lot about these violence issues and the situation of refugees. I also knew how to use my social work abilities to help refugees.

Eric: How would say you have changed or grown after going through this program? Shiyi, you first this time.

Shiyi: For me, understanding culture differences. For example, I’m a social worker, and to do related practice training, I need to adjust my program to meet my client, rather than forcing them to accept Taiwanese service model, and work on my beliefs, values, and personal bias. It may be comforting, but by doing this, I will able to think about how this trend might impact on approach. And two, understanding difference. For example, when I find my client’s advantage, and I need to design a strength perspective advice program for encouraging them to care for their communities.

Eric: And you, Ivy?

Ivy: My time interning at the UNHCR was unforgettable, especially when interacting with refugees. I noticed that refugees are not just the words written on the newspaper or shown on TV. It’s really hard for me to imagine all the bad things and difficulties that happen to refugees, but they are still trying hard to move to another country and look for another life. Their courage and life resilience encourage me a lot, and always remind me to be content with my life and cherish everything I have.

Eric: Shiyi, would you encourage other students to take part in a program like this?

Shiyi: I totally encourage other students to take part in a program like this. In my opinion, Taiwan culture and life underlie their worth, it is important to learn and fit in, especially for their future careers. So we need to broaden more cultural views. Because international cooperation and communication are increasing our cross-cultural understanding abilities skills within cultural differences.

Eric: And Ivy, you would as well, yes?

Ivy: Sure, it is a good opportunity to learn new things and experience something different from Taiwan. I think that most students will be worried about money. But there are some scholarships and projects from the Ministry of Education which can provide financial assistance. It can lower your pressure and help your dream come true.

Eric: And finally, before we go, is there anything you wish you knew about before attending the exchange that you’d like to pass on to future students?

Shinyi: Maybe 4 points: talk to someone from a different cultural background, fit in travel, be more accepting, and don’t stereotype and everyone is unique. I think the world is big, and you never know who you’ll meet in the future. Making an effort to actually learn about people instead of making broad-brush assessments. And we need to remember that everyone’s cultural backgrounds has different opinions, habits, and life ways. I think we need to accept that everyone is different, and embrace it.

Ivy: First thing is language competence. No matter English or other language, language is the key to communicate, learn new things, or make friends. So I think that building up your language competence is very important. And second is being flexible, especially when you are in a foreign country. And that is the thing I always remind myself: since everything might happen, I suggest opening my heart to accept everything and be prepared to face difficulties, then the thing you make during this adventure will be fun and unforgettable.

Eric: We’ve been chatting with Zhang Shiyi and Ivy Xu from NTNU about their experiences studying abroad. Ms. Zhang, Ms. Xu, thank you for joining us today.

Ivy: Okay, thank you.

Shinyi: Okay, thank you.

Eric: That’s it for Looking South this week. For this and past episodes, you can check out the podcast section on the ICRT website, or on iTunes. I’m Eric Gau, thanks for tuning in.

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