NTNU Strives for Cross-Cultural Exchange and Internationalization at Home
In the ranking of universities worldwide, the proportion of overseas students is one of the most important criteria in measuring the internationalization of universities. National Taiwan Normal University is ranked first in Taiwan in THE 2022 World University Rankings by international outlook. When facing global competition and the challenge of fewer students due to lower birth rate, only a complete international administrative support system can lay a firm foundation for talent recruitment, university education, and Taiwan in general.
To promote internationalization, NTNU focuses on supporting foreign teachers and overseas students. The Office of International Affairs has developed a series of cross-cultural communication strategies to support overseas students' school life from a diversified perspective, which also creates an international learning space for local students. In 2022, OlA organized more than 60 cross-cultural exchange activities attended by more than 3,260 participants, guided by the two primary plans: (1) show students more of Taiwan and local cultures and (2) internationalize at home.
Many foreign students that come to Taiwan to study do so because of an interest in Taiwanese culture. In response, OIA held an online workshop about Taiwanese culture for incoming students as an introduction to Taiwan. It also organized a lecture given by the Contemporary Legend Theatre performance troupe to educate students about Peking Opera. Local and foreign students could also interact during an outing to Dadaocheng. Whenever a traditional festival approaches, OlA would host parties for foreign students so that they can feel the holiday spirit while making tangyuan and reunion meals. Periodic craft events like soap-making and Christmas tree DIY are not only fun but also a great chance for local and foreign students to make friends and learn about each other's culture.
Encouraging overseas students to become international ambassadors of the University is one of the important strategies in internationalizing the University with the end goal of creating a multicultural environment on campus. For local students who are not able to go abroad for international study, overseas students can help to promote local internationalization so that foreign cultures are accessible to local students. For example, the annual International Cultural Festival jointly organized by NTNU, NTU, and NTUST is a time for foreign students to introduce their culture and cuisine to everyone on campus. There are workshops specifically for students who are interested in going to England, France, or Germany with students from these countries providing short presentations about their home university and hometown. Flipped Classroom activities co-organized by OIA and the Common Core Education Committee focuses on cross-cultural exchange and discussions in English, generally participated by over 1,000 local students and more than 120 foreign students from 40 countries during the second semester each year.
As further support for foreign students, OlA selects a team of Student Ambassadors and employs the Buddy Program every year. Student Ambassadors assist in large events and Buddies help foreign students with problems they may face as newcomers to Taiwan. The students themselves often set up Facebook pages and groups that they use as information-sharing platforms. OIA will continue to promote internationalization strategies on campus to take good care of foreign students as well as foster cross-cultural communication within the entire student body.