To help new international students adapt quickly to life in Taiwan and integrate into campus culture, Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages held a comprehensive orientation session before the start of the semester and launched a one-on-one buddy system. Through diverse activities, the university guided new students in familiarizing themselves with campus life and Taiwanese culture. This year, a total of 182 degree-seeking and exchange students from 31 countries and regions—including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Belgium, Ukraine, Argentina, South Africa, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Malaysia—traveled to Kaohsiung to begin their study journey in Taiwan.
The orientation program was carefully organized by the Office of International and Cross-Strait Cooperation, featuring campus tours, academic system guidance, visa and residency information, as well as practical advice on telecommunications and transportation. Faculty members from various departments and multilingual volunteer teams were also invited to facilitate communication, helping new students quickly adapt in a friendly and supportive environment.
Wenzao President Hwang Hui-ling attended the welcome ceremony in person to greet the incoming international students. She noted that Wenzao offers a beautiful campus and a strong multicultural environment, making it an ideal place for cross-cultural exchange. She encouraged students to cherish their time at Wenzao, actively interact with peers from different countries, broaden their global perspectives, and build lasting friendships. She also affirmed the university’s full commitment to supporting international students in both academic and daily life, ensuring they can study and live with peace of mind.
International students also shared their first impressions of Taiwan and their academic goals. Among them, Elaine Chung from Ecuador has studied Mandarin for two years at Wenzao’s Mandarin Center and is now enrolled in the Master’s program in International Business Administration. She expressed her appreciation for Taiwan’s living environment and hopes to enhance her professional skills, with plans to pursue employment in Taiwan after graduation.
Serdulets, a student from Ukraine majoring in translation studies, hopes to make new friends through coursework and daily life experiences, using this period as a foundation for future graduate studies. Agbessi, an exchange student from Belgium, was impressed by the friendliness and respectfulness of Taiwanese people and looks forward to improving his Chinese proficiency while experiencing local culture. Meanwhile, German student He Xing-li shared that this is her first time visiting Asia. Drawn by Wenzao’s immersive language environment, she chose to study in Taiwan and hopes to grow comprehensively in language, culture, and professional development.
