“Realm of Radiance” Gala Brings Together International Students from 30 Countries
The 2025 International Student Orientation Gala, Realm of Radiance, welcomed more than 120 students from 30 countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, France, and Germany. Held on September 16, the event brought together degree-seeking, overseas Chinese, exchange, and visiting students for an evening of games, performances, and interactive activities organized by the International Youth team, marking the start of their university life in a lively, multicultural atmosphere.
The gala opened with remarks from NTNU President Cheng-Chih Wu, who expressed pride in the university’s diverse international community. He encouraged students to pursue academic excellence while fostering cross-cultural understanding and engagement with Taiwanese society through NTNU’s wide range of programs and activities.
Vice President for International Affairs Dr. Yi-De Liu noted that bilingual education aims not to separate languages but to enable local and international students to move comfortably between Mandarin and English. He added that appreciating one another’s cultural backgrounds fosters an inclusive environment where everyone feels confident and at ease.
Golden balloons set a festive tone as student clubs and the International Youth Service Team (IY) presented an engaging program of performances and activities. The Guitar Club performed the Taiwanese classic “Fairy Tale (童話)” and the English song “My Happy Ending,” connecting musical memories across cultures and earning warm applause. The IY Team also hosted games inspired by Taiwanese culture, such as “Catch It If You Can,” adapted from the traditional sticky-hand toy, and a quiz game, “Bingo! I Am Dr. Know-It-All.” These activities offered light-hearted ways to learn about Taiwan, with local snacks as prizes.
Several new students shared their first impressions. Hao-Hsiang Chang, a freshman from Malaysia majoring in Early Childhood Education, said he felt lucky to be one of nearly 300 applicants selected to attend. Fellow Malaysian student Fong-Jun Lim, majoring in Life Science, noted that Taiwan’s MRT no-eating rule and approach to pedestrian crossings differ from Malaysia’s, but that making new friends through the event was both fun and memorable. Amina Ching-Yi He, a master’s student in Chinese from Belgium, said she had worried about fitting in at first, but the event’s warm atmosphere quickly put her at ease. Joyce Chao Ting-Yun, an American student in the Bachelor’s Program in Global Studies, praised the event’s creative design and team-based games, calling the experience unforgettable.
The event was organized by Kang-Ni Pan and Tsai-Hsün Lu, both students from the Department of Civic Education and Leadership, in collaboration with the International Youth Service Team. They said seeing participants’ smiles made all the effort worthwhile and hoped each student would carry the “golden invitation” of Realm of Radiance as a symbol of courage to embrace their university journey and future challenges.
Amid laughter and applause, the gala ended on a warm and celebratory note. The initial nervousness of the new arrivals gave way to a sense of connection and belonging as they were welcomed by NTNU’s international youth team and faculty. Realm of Radiance marked both the beginning of the academic year and the first bright chapter in their lives at NTNU.
This semester, the OIA will continue to host a range of activities, including two intercultural lectures, three career and résumé workshops, and a Christmas party on November 28. In collaboration with the Career Development Center, it will also provide individualized guidance to help international students prepare to enter Taiwan’s job market.