The Net Generation’s Study Abroad Dreams Come True in Taiwan

The Net Generation’s Study Abroad Dreams Come True in Taiwan

Today’s college students, sometimes called the "Net Generation" or "Millennials," have grown up using the internet for everything. This generation has incorporated the internet into every aspect of their daily life, be it studying or shopping. But in spite of the fact that access to study abroad resources has never been easier, the Study Abroad Office at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) still values the importance of face-to-face consultations for those students who have a strong interest in exploring the cultures of foreign lands and finding opportunities for their education abroad.
To provide helpful information and save students the hassle of searching online, the Office of Study Abroad hosts a Study Abroad Fair every semester, and UHD faculty-led programs and study abroad providers throughout the United States are invited to participate. For example, New York based KEI Study Abroad & Intern Abroad, CISabroad in Massachusetts, the University Studies Abroad Consortium at the University of Nevada, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship granted by the U.S. Department of State, the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio as well as Sol Education Abroad, Academic Programs International, and International Studies Abroad in Austin, among others. Fourteen different bodies participated in the fair this semester, The Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston was the only consular office taking part.
According to Elizabeth Huskin, the Assistant Director of Study Abroad at UHD, between 300 and 500 students visited the fair, and they have received an enormous amount of positive feedback about the fair. It provides information about international degree programs and language programs, and internships, volunteering, temporary-jobs, and scholarship opportunities to students.
As an overseas representative office of Taiwan’s Ministry of Education (MOE), the Education Division makes every effort to seize such opportunities to let American students know more about education in Taiwan. Students who have plans for short-term study abroad were excited to find out that the Taiwan MOE Huayu Enrichment Scholarships provide two-month summer course programs. And others who were searching for ways to finance their studies abroad were really happy to learn about the Taiwan Scholarship program.
Many UHD faculty also visited the Education Division’s table to express their support for Taiwan. Professor Luk from the Department of Arts and Humanities expressed his admiration of Taiwan’s cultural diversity. He has recently been invited to perform at the National Taichung Theater in Taiwan. Professor Luk said that he couldn’t wait to visit Taiwan again and hoped that his students will have the same wonderful experience as he had in Taiwan. Dr. Chan Youn-Sha and Dr. Edwin Tecarro from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics both said they would pass the information about studying in Taiwan to their students. They have no doubt that the high quality education provided in Taiwan will help their millennial students to succeed as citizens of this global village.