A government-sponsored program aims to connect local families with international students.
Over the past nine years, Taipei City resident Emily Hsieh (謝雪玉) has welcomed 24 students from more than 10 countries into her home, enriching her life with the close friendships that have blossomed between her and her guests. The rare opportunity to closely interact with so many youths from around the world came thanks to the government’s Taiwan Hostfamily Program (THP). According to Hsieh, among her most memorable connections was a particularly strong bond formed over three years with Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu from Vietnam.
In July 2020, Hsieh, who was suffering hair loss from breast cancer treatment, got a special gift from Bui—a wig fashioned from the girl’s very own long locks. “I was so touched by Bui’s sincerity and kindness,” Hsieh said. “The amount of love and support I received from her and my family gave me the strength to make it through that difficult time.” Though Hsieh signed up for THP to give her two children the chance to explore new languages and cultures, she found hosting to be an intensely rewarding experience for the whole family.
Initiated by the Ministry of Education (MOE) in 2010, THP is designed to build a friendly learning environment for international students while allowing them to experience Taiwan’s culture and way of life in as authentic a setting as possible. The program is run by the Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology (STUST) in Tainan City and has matched 6,570 students from 106 countries with 4,616 families in local communities around the country since its inception. Degree, exchange, short-term and Chinese-language students at universities are all eligible to apply.
Emily Hsieh, left, and her husband attend the graduation ceremony of their host student Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu from Vietnam. (Photo courtesy of Taiwan Hostfamily Program Office)
Internationalization is an increasingly important trend in tertiary education, said Chang Hong-de (張鴻德), director of the THP Office at STUST and the university’s executive vice president. The MOE has been helping domestic universities bolster numbers of international students while raising the nation’s profile in the increasingly competitive global higher education market via incentives including scholarships, English-taught courses and programs like THP. “THP’s purpose is to give overseas students more personal experiences in Taiwan. By interacting with host families and communities, they can gain a better understanding of the country’s cultural traditions and build valuable relationships,” the director said. “The program also benefits hosts by expanding their horizons and giving them an international network of friends.”
Welcome Guests
According to Chang, his office has assisted 33 universities and education departments at several city and county governments with establishing host family systems. Students are matched based on requests by the two sides regarding diet, gender, interests and religion. In addition to conducting background checks and interviews, STUST holds training courses for participating families to learn how to facilitate the experience and handle cultural differences. A variety of social events including hands-on classes, holiday celebrations, meetups and sightseeing tours are also organized to foster exchanges between hosts and students. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of these activities have moved online to ensure continuity and offer more convenient channels to join in.
A variety of activities including pond fishing and learning indigo dye techniques are organized by THP, providing opportunities for program participants to interact with communities and gain a better understanding of local cultures and customs. (Photos courtesy of THP Office)
In recent years, the number of students from Southeast Asia studying in Taiwan has been on the rise due to geographical proximity and the influence of the government’s New Southbound Policy (NSP). Currently, 47 percent of THP students are from NSP target countries, particularly Indonesia and Vietnam. A key plank in the government’s national development strategy, the NSP seeks to deepen the country’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand. The THP Office is thus making extra effort to recruit new immigrant families to host students from their home countries so as to create a stronger sense of connection and belonging. Cultural events featuring traditional costumes, dances, drama and music of NSP target countries and other nations aim to make students feel more at home.
“We organize a wide range of activities cultivating cultural competence and a sense of inclusion needed in today’s globalized world,” the director said. It is hoped that positive experiences will foster goodwill among international students, who can promote Taiwan and act as informal ambassadors for the country upon returning home, he added. Over the years, Chang has seen many families and students build lasting friendships, with some Taiwan families even traveling abroad to visit their former exchange students.
Second Family
The supportive relationship between Hsieh and Bui is a prime example. The Vietnamese woman is currently working as a technical adviser at a health information technology company in Taipei after earning a doctorate in biotechnology from Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) in the northern metropolis of Taoyuan in 2020. According to Bui, she opted to study in Taiwan because it is a perfect combination of modernity and tradition in addition to being the most democratic country in East Asia.
After starting her studies at CYCU, Bui felt the need for a counterbalance to her rigorous course load. “I wanted to find ways to decrease stress so I wouldn’t lose inspiration and motivation,” she recalled. “Then, I thought about how my friend once told me that joining THP could change your life in unexpected ways and decided to give it a shot.”
Students from New Southbound Policy target countries wear their traditional attire at a cultural festival planned by THP. (Photo courtesy of THP Office)
It turned out to be one of the best decisions she could have made, Bui said, adding that Hsieh is the most warmhearted person she has ever known and has become like a second mother to her. “My time with Emily has had a profound impact on my life,” Bui said. “I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to learn more about Taiwan’s culture, history and people while connecting with others from different countries and recharging my mind.” Hsieh has equally positive feelings about the host family program. “We invite students to visit our home without expecting anything in return,” she said. “Now, we’ve got lots of unforgettable memories to look back on.”
Enhanced Understanding
Similarly, Ivy Huang (黃燕華) from the southern city of Kaohsiung has played host to as many as 80 students from 20 countries through THP since 2011. It was an easy choice to sign up as she and her husband are keenly interested in other cultures and hoped to instill the same enthusiasm in their three children. “The benefits have far exceeded our expectations.” Huang said. “As our kids grew up, they embraced differences and developed a passion for travel and seeing how others live.”
Huang and her family have also formed special relationships with exchange students over the years, including with engaged couple Deepak Mishra and Anu Kanwar who traveled to Taiwan from India in 2017 and 2019, respectively. “We met Mishra for the first time at an Indian restaurant, and he introduced the various spices used in Indian cooking and the rules for eating with one’s hand,” she said. “It was a really novel dining experience for us!”
Indian student Anu Kanwar prepares cuisine from her hometown for her host family. (Photo courtesy of THP Office)
Huang’s family invites the Indian couple and other students to their home periodically to share meals. “I love when we sit down to eat and talk together about different customs,” she said. “Hopefully, experiencing our day-to-day family life allows students to better understand local culture and has a positive influence on their stay in Taiwan.” Kanwar, currently pursuing a doctorate in business management at STUST, said she was excited to join THP after hearing from friends about their wonderful times with host families. “The very first day I met Huang and her family, I felt as if I had already known them for years because they were so welcoming and friendly,” she recalled.
Such success stories epitomize the warm feelings and gratitude THP participants report following interactions through the program. Students and families alike express deep appreciation for the chance to gain insight into different cultures and establish lifelong friendships along the way. “THP provides a platform for enhancing multicultural awareness while helping international students adapt to life in Taiwan,” STUST’s Chang concluded. “It’s a win-win relationship for everyone involved.”
Write to Kelly Her at kher@mofa.gov.tw