Volunteer Interpreters Bolster Communication for New Immigrants in Hsinchu County

Hsinchu County is increasingly becoming a hub for foreign residents and new immigrants, driven by its thriving technology industry. To bridge communication gaps and better serve this diverse population, the Hsinchu County Service Station of the National Immigration Agency recently hosted an educational training session for its volunteer interpreters and general volunteers.

The event aimed to enhance the professional service capabilities of frontline personnel. It recognized outstanding volunteers for their selfless contributions and excellent performance. "Being a volunteer is busy, but it's meaningfully busy," shared Ms. Fan, a highly regarded volunteer. She described the daily interactions, from assisting with paperwork to occasionally acting as a temporary babysitter, highlighting the wide spectrum of human experiences encountered.

Training sessions covered crucial topics such as gender equality concepts and domestic violence prevention networks, led by professionals from the Garden of Hope Foundation. These modules were designed to increase volunteers' sensitivity and ability to detect potential crises. Additionally, a specialist from the New Immigrant Family Service Center shared insights on volunteer interpretation services and cross-cultural issues, focusing on communication techniques and referral channels for social welfare resources.

Experienced volunteers and interpreters shared their coping strategies for navigating cultural differences in client interactions. The training included interactive exercises and scenario simulations, significantly boosting participants' on-the-spot problem-solving and cross-cultural communication abilities. The station hopes these efforts will further strengthen the vital role volunteers play in connecting the immigration agency with the new immigrant community.

“

Being a volunteer is busy, but it's meaningfully busy.