A “Taiwan Expert” Attends Houston Academy of International Studies’ College and Career Day

Houston Academy of International Studies is a magnet school in the Houston Independent School District, located in midtown Houston. This secondary school was founded in 2006 and currently has about 500 students and 20 teachers. To give its students a better understanding of future developments, Houston Academy of International Studies held a College and Career Day on October 12, 2018. 

College recruiters, business people, engineers, models, military personnel, and representatives of different professions were invited to take part in the College and Career Day and share details of their organizations and their own professional experiences with the students. Sophie Chou, Director of the Education Division at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston, told the students about the government-funded Taiwan Scholarship program and the higher education environment in Taiwan. 

She pointed out that although Taiwan is short of natural resources and has a very limited land area, studying in Taiwan is still a top choice for international students. Taiwan enjoys a high quality workforce as a result of many factors, including its successful education system, affordable tuition fees, reasonable living costs, world renowned medical insurance system, friendly environment, hospitable people, sound social order …. The list goes on, but these are reasons that attract young people from around the world to study in Taiwan. 

Sophie Chou was glad to learn that many high school students in Houston are familiar with Taiwanese foods, such as dumplings, pineapple cakes, and bubble milk tea. And a Q&A time allowed students to learn more in depth details about Taiwan. The director encouraged them to find inspiration, determine a career path, set themselves goals, make plans, and then put their plans into action. The earlier they prepare for the future, the more successful they will be, no matter what they decide to be.

Photo:Director Sophie Chou of the Education Division of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston talks about studying in Taiwan on College and Career Day at the Houston Academy of International Studies.