Taiwan's Youth Overseas Dream Plan Sees Record Participation, Acceptance Rates Double in Second Year

Taiwan's "Youth Overseas Dream Fund Plan," now in its second year, has seen a significant surge in participation. Applications jumped by 35.5% to over 12,000, while the number of students accepted doubled to more than 3,000, marking new records. This initiative, a key component of President Lai Ching-te's "National Hope Project," aims to broaden horizons for young Taiwanese by providing financial support and diverse overseas learning opportunities.

The program facilitates internships in various sectors across numerous countries, including Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, the United States, and Australia. Students engage with businesses, academic institutions, international organizations, and local development projects. Their learning experiences span critical areas such as sustainable environments, aviation, education, cultural arts, technology, and professional development.

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The program not only provides opportunities to broaden horizons but also allows exploration of interests and clarification of one's strengths, breaking through family economic or existing resource limitations, making international learning no longer exclusive to a select few.

One participant, Wang Zhi-yi, a student of forestry from National Taiwan University, shared her experience interning in Germany and Austria. Inspired by her German language studies, she sought to understand European sustainable forestry and environmental governance. Wang emphasized that the program not only provided professional knowledge but also enhanced her communication and adaptability skills. She noted the importance of adapting foreign practices to Taiwan's specific context rather than simply copying them.

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This trip observed the airport's remarkable achievements in intelligence and sustainability. Upon returning, I transformed my experiences into development strategies and have successively written proposals for Taoyuan and Songshan airports to reference.

Chen Yu-hao, a graduate with a degree in Aerospace Science and Engineering, pursued his dream of becoming an airport manager with an 80-day internship at Brisbane Airport in Australia. He gained hands-on experience in various airport operations and observed facilities in restricted areas. Chen highlighted the airport's advancements in smart technology and sustainability, which he plans to translate into development strategies for Taiwan's airports.

Another student, Chen Ji-kai from Asia University's early childhood education program, participated in a local revitalization and inclusive education project in Japan. He described the program as a vital "learning beyond books and comfort zones," especially for youth whose aspirations might be limited by financial constraints. Chen's experience with wooden educational toys inspired him to incorporate "wood education" into his future teaching, and he successfully navigated communication barriers with local children using basic Japanese and non-verbal cues, boosting his confidence.

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Youth dreams may be forced to stop due to insufficient funding or resources, but with the government as a backup through this program, there is an opportunity to look beyond Taiwan. It is a 'learning beyond books and comfort zones.'