Program brings world to Taiwan

"Taiwan is a mix of different cultures: Chinese, Japanese, Aboriginal -- and American, because of globalization."

Lu Mu-lin, deputy education minister

Officials wrapped up the 2005 Exploring Taiwan International Youth Program yesterday as delegates from nine countries came together to stage performances and discuss their experiences learning about Taiwan and Taiwanese culture.

The delegates participated in a two-week program to learn about the country with a view to promote tourism to Taiwan in their home countries.

The program stressed cultural and community awareness among participants, Deputy Education Minister Lu Mu-lin (呂木琳) said. It was an opportunity for them to pursue the benefits that traveling can provide, he said.

The program started on Aug. 12 and included student delegates from France, Germany, Italy, Britain, New Zealand, Australia, the US and Canada.

Most of the participants were business students, some with tourism-related majors, while others were university students majoring in East Asian Studies.

"Taiwan is a mix of different cultures: Chinese, Japanese, Aboriginal -- and American, because of globalization," Lu said.

He said the program had been successful in promoting international cultural exchanges and tourism.

Minister of Education Tu Cheng-sheng (杜正勝) shared his youthful traveling experiences with the delegates, strongly supporting the adage that traveling broadens the mind.

"No matter where I went or which country I traveled to, I always chose to stay in youth hostels," he said. "It has helped me to learn much more and grow faster," he added.

Promoting international friendship and strengthening people-to-people links was the main goal of the program, said Evelyn Killick, deputy director of the economic and policy section of the Australian Commerce and Industry Office.

Student representatives from each country gave short speeches describing their stay. Some delegates spoke in fluent Mandarin, while others briefly demonstrated their impressive progress after two weeks of effort.

All speakers mentioned the hospitality of Taiwanese people in general and how interesting they found Taiwanese culture to be.

"Taiwan is a wonderful introduction to the Asian world," said Stephane Trycionka, a student delegate from France. "It has diverse people and culture and by coming to Taiwan you can learn about all of Asia," he added.

Other delegates praised the beauty of Taiwan and commented on how Buddhism contrasted to the dominant religions of their own countries.

"Taiwan is indeed beyond expectations," said Sean Andrew Scott, a British delegate.

Following the speeches were a series of Tai Chi demonstrations and Aboriginal dances performed by the students.

The delegates promised to promote Taiwanese tourism upon returning to their countries through conferences at universities, articles in newspapers and the furthering of exchange programs.

When asked if they had experienced any culture shock in the past two weeks, most smiled and said they were treated very well.

"I still can't stand the bathrooms, though," said Sonia Kovacic, a Canadian student, possibly referring to squat toilets still used in many places.