YunTech Advances International Talent Development through TEEP, Fostering Cross-Cultural Exchange through Mid-Autumn Festival Experiences
The Office of International Affairs at National Yunlin University of Science and Technology (YunTech) held a series of TEEP activities on September 23. In the morning, the university hosted the “TEEP Student Exchange and Mid-Autumn Festival Cultural Experience,” bringing together students participating in the Taiwan Experience Education Program (TEEP) this semester for an opportunity to connect and exchange experiences. In the afternoon, the university held a “TEEP Faculty Proposal Briefing” to help faculty members understand the TEEP program, application directions, and key considerations for proposal preparation. By promoting the program among both students and faculty, YunTech aims to make TEEP more than a platform for international students’ short-term study in Taiwan, but also an important bridge connecting research, teaching, cultural exchange, and campus internationalization.
The morning session opened with a welcome from Professor Hui-Ching Yeh, Vice President for International Affairs, and Cheng-Jui Chen, Director of the Division of International Students and Faculty. They welcomed the TEEP students and expressed their hope that, during their time at YunTech, students would not only complete their coursework, research, and other learning activities, but also become actively involved in campus life and build connections with local and international students. Through exchanges involving different cultural backgrounds and life experiences, students can gain a richer and more diverse experience of studying and living in Taiwan.
The TEEP students participating this semester came to YunTech with a variety of purposes and learning arrangements. Some focused primarily on exchange study and campus experiences, while others participated in research, laboratory work, and professional learning programs. Regardless of how they engage with YunTech, the Office of International Affairs hopes that students will go beyond completing their planned academic activities to gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan and YunTech through hands-on experiences and to interact more extensively with faculty and students from different cultural backgrounds.
During the event, the Office of International Affairs introduced TEEP participation guidelines, scholarship information, and relevant administrative procedures to help students understand important matters during their stay. The office also introduced the “Discover Taiwan” short-video creation activity for the semester, encouraging students to share observations of life in Taiwan, cultural experiences, everyday campus life, or other topics of interest from their own perspectives. Through video, students can document and share their own stories of Taiwan.
In addition to short-video creation, students can contribute their expertise and creativity through cultural exchange, cross-cultural collaborative projects, support for international activities, and initiatives related to campus internationalization. For example, they may introduce the culture of their home countries, participate in language exchange or cultural experience activities, collaborate with local students to create content for international exchange, or offer ideas for enhancing campus internationalization from the perspective of international students. Through these diverse forms of participation, international students can become not only participants in university activities, but also contributors who bring new perspectives shaped by their own cultures and experiences.
Following the TEEP program briefing, the event transitioned to a Mid-Autumn Festival cultural experience. The Office of International Affairs provided a brief introduction to the significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Taiwan, including its themes of reunion, gratitude, and togetherness, giving international students an opportunity to learn more about Taiwanese festival culture. The activity also featured a hands-on “Mid-Autumn Jade Rabbit Gift Bouquet” workshop. With guidance from the instructor, students used rabbit-themed decorations, festive treats, and packaging materials to create their own Mid-Autumn-inspired works.
During the workshop, students from different countries and programs naturally exchanged stories about their lives and cultural experiences while working on their creations. The activity was followed by a social luncheon, providing an opportunity for participants to meet new friends in a relaxed atmosphere. For students who are staying in Taiwan for a limited period, cross-cultural exchange does not necessarily take place only in classrooms or formal activities. Creating something together, sharing stories about one’s home culture, or having a meal with new friends can all become meaningful opportunities to build connections.
In the afternoon, the “TEEP Faculty Proposal Briefing” extended the exchange to the faculty side of the program. The briefing focused on the positioning of the TEEP program, eligibility requirements, proposal content, budget utilization, and implementation-related matters. It was designed to help faculty members interested in international talent development understand the program structure and key elements of proposal preparation, while also preparing them for future TEEP applications.
Through faculty-led proposals and program implementation, TEEP can provide international students with opportunities for short-term research, internships, and professional learning while also helping faculty members expand international research collaborations and connect with overseas student resources. Faculty members can further develop international learning opportunities tailored to the characteristics of their departments and their own professional and research areas. Through the briefing, the Office of International Affairs hopes to introduce the possibilities offered by TEEP to faculty members across different disciplines and encourage greater participation in international talent development and cross-border academic exchange.
From the morning’s student exchange and Mid-Autumn Festival cultural experience to the afternoon faculty proposal briefing, the two activities addressed different dimensions of campus internationalization through “student participation” and “faculty engagement.” For students, TEEP provides an opportunity to discover Taiwan, gain professional experience, and build cross-cultural connections. For faculty members, it serves as a platform for developing international teaching, research collaboration, and talent development.
Looking ahead, the Office of International Affairs will continue to promote TEEP and a diverse range of international exchange activities. On the one hand, the office will support faculty members in developing distinctive international collaboration and talent development programs; on the other, it will provide international students with more opportunities to discover Taiwan, participate in campus life, and share their own cultures. Through the continued participation of both faculty and students, YunTech hopes to expand opportunities for people from different cultural and professional backgrounds to meet and learn from one another, creating a welcoming sense of connection and belonging for everyone who joins the university community while further strengthening campus internationalization and international talent development.
Professor Hui-Ching Yeh, Vice President for International Affairs, and Cheng-Jui Chen, Director of the Division of International Students and Faculty, welcome TEEP students at the TEEP Student Exchange and Mid-Autumn Festival Cultural Experience and join the participants for a group photo.
International students participate in a hands-on Mid-Autumn Festival cultural experience, creating “Mid-Autumn Jade Rabbit Gift Bouquets” under the guidance of an instructor. Through this activity, they experience Taiwanese festival culture while fostering cross-cultural exchange and building connections with one another.
In the afternoon, YunTech held the “TEEP Faculty Proposal Briefing,” introducing faculty members to the TEEP program, application directions, and key points for proposal preparation. The session helped faculty members better understand the procedures for subsequent applications and program implementation.
Organizer: Office of International Affairs
Director: Hui-Ching Yeh
Contact Person: Li-Na Lin
Tel: +886-5-552-4132 ext. 2395
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