Taiwan’s foremost foreign aid organization provides overseas internships to university students to hone their skills and broaden their horizons.
As her graduation approaches in June, master’s student Ariel Lo (羅文) is reflecting on the pivotal moments that shaped her educational journey. According to Lo, who studies in the Department of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) in southern Taiwan, the decisive experience that crystallized her career plan was a stay in the country’s Pacific ally Nauru from last August through January this year. “I was already very passionate about using agriculture to help people,” she said. “The internship underscored how closely the field of development assistance aligns with my interests and skills.” The 26-year-old aspires to make this work her purpose in life.
Lo works with a farmer to prepare microbial fertilizers while participating in Taiwan Technical Mission’s Dietary Diversity Extension Project. (Phot courtesy of Ariel Lo)
Lo’s trip to Nauru was made possible by Taipei City-based International Cooperation and Development Fund’s (TaiwanICDF) University Youth Overseas Technical Assistance Internship Program. Since its launch in 2019, the initiative has dispatched 32 students on six-month visits to 11 diplomatic allies in Africa, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and the Asia-Pacific. Under its auspices, Lo participated in the Dietary Diversity Extension Project implemented by Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM). The four-year endeavor promotes healthy diets by running educational nutrition campaigns while supplying vegetable seedlings to households and high-quality foods to local communities and schools.
During her time on the island, Lo instructed residents on germinating seeds, caring for seedlings and using microbial fertilizers, in addition to organizing workshops on food preparation and diet. Working side by side with TTM personnel on farm management and pest control fine-tuned her problem-solving abilities, the graduate student said, adding that the experience provided insight on skills necessary to work in the field. “My time in Nauru not only developed my resilience and communication skills, but also inspired me to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life,” Lo said. “My desire to land a job that actively improves people’s well-being is clearer than ever.” After completing her degree, she hopes to secure a position at TTM working closely with farmers to help them balance sustainability and profit to benefit the whole community.
According to Yen Ming-hong (顏銘宏), director of TaiwanICDF’s Technical Cooperation Department, the internship program was originally launched to prepare for the country’s shift from male conscription to voluntary military enlistment. The change was also expected to affect recruitment for its Taiwan Youth Overseas Service project, which engages draftees for medical and technical missions abroad as an alternative to military service. Qualified citizens between the ages of 19 and 36 must undergo four months of military training or perform alternate duties for 10 months. With new conscription reform requiring men born in 2005 or later to serve one full year in the armed forces set to take effect at the start of 2024, the two initiatives are jointly funneling young adults into the organization’s aid operations.
Shih Pei-jen, left, and a colleague place protective bags on guava fruit as part of the Fruit Tree Production and Marketing Project in the Kingdom of Eswatini. (Phot courtesy of Shih Pei-jen)
Eager Contributors
The internship program has been enthusiastically received by higher education institutions and students across Taiwan, Yen said, adding that more women were joining the ranks of TaiwanICDF’s humanitarian workers as a result. “We’ve had widespread interest from female students who are keen to take part in the country’s overseas projects. A more balanced gender ratio enriches our operations by bringing in new perspectives while ensuring women have access to the same opportunities as men,” the director said. “Participants also have a much greater shot at a permanent position in our organization later on.” Universities, too, are pleased to cultivate student bodies with diverse life experiences, he added.
TaiwanICDF currently collaborates with nine of Taiwan’s top tertiary institutions, including Taipei-based National Taiwan University (NTU), National Chengchi University (NCCU) and NPUST, which all offer specializations in agriculture, business management, environmental protection and public health. The internship allows students to employ their knowledge in the field. “The program brings together young people from varied academic backgrounds to learn, share and contribute,” Yen said. “In the process, they gain a better understanding of Taiwan’s diplomatic services and development cooperation aimed at advancing the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.” TaiwanICDF is working to increase the number of partner universities to expand access for students.
Shih, back row third left, joins in Eswatini’s Umhlanga Reed Dance, one of the African ally’s most spectacular cultural events. (Photo courtesy of Shih Pei-jen)
Since the internship program began, Yen has been impressed with the creativity and initiative of participants, with many using personal social media accounts to publicize projects or taking it upon themselves to collaborate with local groups to tackle social issues. One such student who went above and beyond is Shih Pei-jen (施沛蓁), who is in her fourth year at NTU’s Department of Agronomy and extensively documented her experience in the Kingdom of Eswatini on Facebook. Her trip commenced last August on her 21st birthday. “It was the best birthday gift I’ve ever had,” she said. “I was so excited for my new adventure.”
Shih’s educational background and skills saw her assigned to the 2020-2023 Fruit Tree Production and Marketing Project, which establishes healthy seedling production systems and develops promotional strategies for high-value crops like banana, dragon fruit, guava and strawberries. She pitched in by facilitating direct sales from farms to supermarkets and designing a poster to advertise the fresh produce in stores. “TTM staff advised me on orchard management, including farming in different soil types and climatic conditions, as well as strategies to increase productivity and profitability,” Shih said. “I learned about every step in the supply chain, from upstream production to postharvest handling to downstream marketing.” Like Lo, the NTU student relished the chance to improve people’s lives and intends to pursue a related career. “Helping locals revamp their agricultural practices was incredibly gratifying,” she said. “And on the personal side, the internship expanded my worldview and gave me confidence. I feel prepared to hit the ground running after graduation.”
Luo Ya-fan, right, harvests eggplants with high school students during a project to enhance St. Lucia’s agricultural efficiency. (Phot courtesy of Luo Ya-fan)
Positive Outcomes
Luo Ya-fan (羅亞帆), a fourth-year student at NCCU’s Department of Business Administration, joins Lo and Shih in enthusing about his time overseas through the TaiwanICDF initiative. The 23-year-old was involved in a project to enhance the efficiency of St. Lucia’s agricultural production-distribution channels and promote crop diversification. Both objectives aim to foster a more sustainable and resilient horticulture sector in the Caribbean ally. “I was ecstatic to use my knowledge and skills to benefit others,” Luo said. “Many smallholders produce high-quality food but are forced to sell at a loss due to the lack of distribution channels.” To address this issue, he devised campaigns to increase consumption of fresh produce; organized farmers’ markets; designed QR codes providing vendors’ contact details, farm location and products available at a given time; and planned courses on value-added food processing.
Luo, left, and a friend enjoy paddling along a forested shoreline in the Caribbean ally. (Photo courtesy of Luo Ya-fan)
“The internship was a great opportunity to put my learning to the test in the real world while immersing myself in a new culture, meeting new people and encountering new perspectives,” Luo said. “The experience gave me the analytical skills and global mindset necessary to engage in international missions.” Working in a developing country roused his interest in foreign service and humanitarian aid, and he plans to take the Special Examination for Diplomatic and Consular Personnel after finishing his studies.
To TaiwanICDF’s Yen, seeing participants like Lo, Shih and Luo develop career aspirations in international cooperation and development is the ultimate payoff and proof of the initiative’s success. “The program is delivering win-win outcomes for all,” he said. “It provides enrichment for students while facilitating strategic partnerships between our organization and higher education institutions.”
Write to Kelly Her at kher@mofa.gov.tw