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US-Taiwan Study Abroad and International Cooperation Workshop

AIEF's first US-Taiwan Study Abroad and International Cooperation Workshop was held at the Howard Plaza Hotel on Sunday, October 14th. Moderated by AIEF's Stephen Smith, with assistance from AIEF-Taipei Director Ms. Delai Lee, the workshop was organized to facilitate open communication between American Education Fair participants and representatives from the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), local universities, and local study abroad agencies. The key objectives of the event were to:

• Provide support to U.S. universities in recruiting Taiwan students and developing international educational exchange with Taiwan’s educational institutions.

• Provide support to Taiwanese universities’ expansion of their international educational exchanges with U.S. schools and students.

• Provide support to organizations and agencies to ensure that students receive accurate and up-to-date information about studying in the USA.

• Explore ways and means for U.S. education institutions and organizations to better support these efforts in the future.

Invited speakers who shared their views with the group during the first part of the workshop were:

• Ms. Joanne Lehr, Assistant Director for International Outreach at Rochester Institute of Technology

• Ms. Stephanie Enstice, Associate Director of International Admissions at Florida Insitute of Technology

• Dr. Jer-Ming Hu, Deputy Dean of the Office of International Affairs at National Taiwan University

• Dr. Lily Chen, Director of the Office of International Exchange and International Education at Tamkang University

• Ms. Judy Chow, Cultural Officer at AIT

• Mr. Gregory Harris, Commercial Officer at AIT

• Ms. May Hsu from the study abroad agency at International Education Expert Union Counseling (IEEUC).

During the first part of the workshop, the U.S. school representatives both expressed an interest in recruiting more students from Taiwan as well as in working with Taiwan educational institutions on cooperative programs. Representatives from the Taiwan schools echoed their interest in working with U.S. schools, and also mentioned that scholarships are available for foreign students to study on their campuses. Mr. Harris of AIT recommended that U.S. schools contact the U.S. Export Assistance Centers in their regions for assistance with their recruitment efforts. Ms. May Hsu, from IEEUC, expressed her hope that U.S. schools would consider offering more conditional admissions to students from Taiwan.

For the second part of the workshop, all participants were encouraged to express their comments and concerns in an open discussion. Among the issues raised was that some students from Taiwan who enrolled in English language programs in the United States did not demonstrate sufficient proficiency upon their return to Taiwan. A related issue was that often the Taiwan students' English language skills are not assessed prior to leaving Taiwan. It was suggested that the students be given an English language proficiency text, such as the USAT exam, in advance of departing for the United States for language studies in order to obtain an accurate assessment of their English abilities. 

Competition from China was mentioned as a challenge that Taiwan schools face when trying to recruit international students. Suggestions for attracting more foreign students to study in Taiwan included offering degree programs in English as well as providing internship opportunities. Representatives from Taiwan educational institutions pointed out that at some local universities there currently are several programs offered in English, including MBA programs and English literature programs. 

On the topic of study abroad agencies, several U.S. school representatives indicated that they work successfully with agents in Taiwan, while others said that it was not their policy to work directly with agents. At the conclusion of the workshop, surveys were given to the local Taiwan participants to seek their comments as to whether a future similar event should be held and how it could be improved. A workshop survey form will be sent to the American participants by AIEF's Los Angeles office.

Based upon the workshop discussions and the survey input received from participants of Taiwan universities and Taiwan agents, the following are the actions recommended:

1. Encourage U.S. schools to offer English placements tests in Taiwan to establish an understanding between Taiwan students and U.S. schools on language school acceptance.

2. Establish a network to encourage student exchanges between U.S. and Taiwan schools.

3. Add an internship component to study abroad programs in the U.S. and in Taiwan.

4. Organize similar workshops to encourage communications between U.S. schools and Taiwan universities and agents. The workshop may be scheduled around AIEF Spring and Fall fairs in Taiwan.

5. AIEF to distribute survey results from American schools to the workshop participants in Taiwan.

Participants are encouraged to send additional input, comments, and suggestions to AIEF for organizing future workshops in Taiwan.