YunTech Hosts Exchange Student Briefings to Encourage Global Engagement
To encourage more students to step onto the international stage and broaden their global perspectives, the Office of International Affairs (OIA) at National Yunlin University of Science and Technology (YunTech) held an Exchange Student Information Session on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. The session also marked the first opening of a second round of exchange applications. By providing more comprehensive information and an early preparation mechanism, the initiative aims to improve student acceptance rates and enable more YunTech students to seize valuable opportunities for overseas learning.
Furthermore, on December 17, the OIA hosted a distinctive Pre-Departure Briefing for Exchange Students. For the first time, current international exchange students were invited to serve as “Cultural Ambassadors”, offering Taiwanese students practical pre-departure advice from a local perspective. This innovative approach transforms the traditional one-way briefing into an interactive exchange, allowing outbound students to gain authentic, life-oriented insights from those who have firsthand experience living in the host country.
The briefing featured international exchange students from Fukuoka (Japan), Berlin, Brandenburg, and Esslingen (Germany), who shared in-depth introductions to their hometowns. Beyond highlighting city features and cultural landmarks, these students provided invaluable practical guidance on local daily life, transportation, dining habits, and other essential tips that are rarely found in travel guides.
Director of International Affairs, Yeh Hui-Ching, highlighted the significance of this innovative briefing format. After the conclusion of the 2025 fall semester, these international students will return to their home countries, while 18 YunTech students—8 to Japan and 10 to Germany—will participate in exchange programs at these students’ home institutions in the 2026 spring semester. Director Yeh noted, “This bilateral exchange arrangement allows our students to establish networks before departure, gaining not only practical information but also international friendships. When Taiwanese students arrive in a new environment, they already have friends to consult and meet up with, which greatly facilitates adaptation to life abroad.”
During the event, the international exchange students enthusiastically shared their love for their hometowns. From historical and cultural insights to modern urban life, must-visit attractions to local cuisine, academic environments to extracurricular activities, the students provided candid and practical advice. Detailed answers were also given to questions concerning housing, transportation cards, supermarket shopping, and other daily life matters. The lively atmosphere encouraged active interaction, with Taiwanese students asking questions and continuing discussions even after the session concluded, exchanging contact information for future communication.
Participating Taiwanese students expressed that the briefing not only eased their anxiety about living abroad but also heightened their excitement for the upcoming exchange experience. Liang, who will be traveling to Germany, remarked, “Hearing German students share their daily life experiences gave me a clearer picture of my exchange life and what I need to prepare. The best part is that we’ve already added each other on social media, so we can meet up when I arrive in Germany!”
YunTech has long been committed to promoting international education, establishing partnerships with renowned universities worldwide, and cultivating students’ global perspectives and cross-cultural communication skills through diverse exchange programs. The innovative pre-departure briefing demonstrates YunTech’s dedication and creativity in international education, adding warmth and vitality to campus international exchanges and embodying the university’s “student-centered” educational philosophy.
Dean Yeh delivers a speech at the exchange student information session and takes a group photo with participating students.
Jiang Cao-Bin, an Industrial Management student preparing for exchange in Spain, shares the importance of exchange life and language learning with YunTech students.
Section Chief Yang Xiao-Chun attends the pre-departure briefing, delivering remarks and taking a photo with students.
International and YunTech students dine together while engaging in interactive discussions.
Students Lisa Dreßler and Ole Ramberg from HTW Berlin (Berlin University of Applied Sciences) share insights on daily transportation in Germany.
※ The above is an AI-generated translation and may not be 100% accurate. For reference only — please double-check any important details.
