International Cooperation

By Dan Yvan Andre BALLIF, OIA

On July 18th, the Director of International Affairs for the City of New Orleans, Rosine Pema Sanga, visited National Taiwan Normal University. Accompanying her were four promising and ambitious students, recipients of the New Orleans Taiwan Young Scholar Program. The visit and school tour were filled with interest, laughter, and extensive sharing of experiences by all participants.

In May of this year, Professor Cheng Chih Wu (吳正己校長), president of National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), attended the annual NAFSA meeting held in New Orleans, USA. The purpose of the meeting is to bring together professionals in international education to discuss key issues, share best practices, and network with peers from around the world. During the event, Prof. Wu met with Rosine Pema Sanga, the Director of International Affairs for the City of New Orleans. He extended a warm invitation to Ms. Sanga and all students from New Orleans to visit and study at NTNU.

Following their meeting, four students from New Orleans—Sanaa Jade Lomax, Amber Cantrel Park, Indyanna Henrietta Cramer, and Hannah Isabella Jefferson—were awarded scholarships from the New Orleans Taiwan Young Scholar Program, allowing them to fly all the way to Taiwan. Prof. Wu was moved when Ms. Sanga visited NTNU a few months later, accompanied by the scholarship recipients. Their visit strengthened the growing bond between NTNU and the City of New Orleans, fostering academic and cultural exchange. During their discussions, Prof. Wu and Ms. Sanga explored opportunities for future students from New Orleans to seek degrees or participate in exchange programs at NTNU. This collaboration underscores NTNU’s commitment to global education and cultural exchange, reflecting its dedication to welcoming international students and providing them with enriching educational experiences.

The guests then immersed themselves in a cultural experience organized by Division Head Ms. Kao Ming Lin (林高明), alongside Student Mobility Managers Mr. Daniel Lin (林禹致), Ms. Stephanie Hsu (許慈芳), and Mr. Sky Wang (王譯民), with hosting by Associate Vice President for International Affairs Prof. Hsiu Mei Hsieh (謝秀梅). The session commenced with a comprehensive overview of NTNU, meticulously outlining its diverse colleges and multiple study opportunities, designed to pique the guests' interest in pursuing studies at NTNU. Following this introduction, master's student Dan Yvan Andre Ballif (權楷樂) shared his firsthand experiences as a bachelor student at NTNU and his life as a foreigner living in Taiwan. His engaging narrative aimed to inspire them to envision themselves not only as future students but potentially as classmates and friends at NTNU's vibrant community.

The meeting continued with an engaging DIY lantern activity. The guests first learned about the origin and cultural significance of lanterns in Taiwanese and Chinese traditions, enriching their understanding of the local culture. They then had the opportunity to write their own wishes on the lanterns and assemble them, creating personalized keepsakes. The event concluded with a heartfelt exchange of gifts: the NTNU OIA team presented each guest with a mascot lion, symbolizing their warm welcome and connection to the university, while the visitors from New Orleans gifted several key chains and ties, representing their appreciation and the cultural ties between the two groups.
 

The guests also joined a campus tour at the Main Gate of Main Campus II, where the guests were accompanied and guided by Global Partnership Manager, Ms. Yu Chen Hsiao (蕭郁蓁), master's student Dan Yvan Andre Ballif (權楷樂), teacher Vivian Chung (鍾芷品), and student ambassadors Alison Shen (沈妤宸) and Kaitlyn Bai (白佳旌). The ambassadors shared historical details and fun facts about NTNU, while photographer Tony Chang (張適) captured memorable moments. The first stop was the NTNU Art Museum, featuring its "Featured Collections" exhibition (典藏精選展) on the fourth floor. The guests were surprised by the museum's presence on campus and its regularly changing exhibits. The visit concluded outside, where everyone admired the building's distinctive triangular architecture.

The tour continued to the NTNU Lion. The guests were also introduced to NTNU's emblematic Golden Shower Tree (阿勃勒), with its beautiful yellow flowers. They then proceeded to the Mandarin Training Center (MTC), where Associate Executive Director Chao Mei Tu (杜昭玫) welcomed them. The guests were impressed by the diverse student body, representing over 70 nationalities, and the small class sizes designed for effective Mandarin learning. Director Rosine Pema Sanga expressed interest in learning more about the programs of the Mandarin training center to share with her community in New Orleans.

Overall, the visit and subsequent discussions highlight the mutual benefits of international partnerships and the importance of fostering global understanding through education. NTNU looks forward to welcoming more students from New Orleans and continuing its collaboration with the City of New Orleans to promote academic excellence