My Fulbright Taiwan Journey: A Global Adventure by

Fulbright International Education Adminstrator (IEA) Award

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-02-27 18:28:59 UTC

The IEA is designed to build U.S. higher institution’s capacity for international education and open doors to collaboration with colleagues and students throughout the world. I am deeply honored to represent Cuesta College to participate in the Fulbright Taiwan seminar this year, and eager to showcase our institution’s exceptional work and explore collaborative opportunities to enrich our students' and faculty's learning and teaching experiences.

Welcome to Taiwan

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-02-27 18:29:00 UTC

What is Taiwan known for?

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC)
Democratic Government and Legalized Same-sex Marriage
Cultural Heritage and Diversity
Cuisine (my favorite: soup dumplings and stinky tofu)
Natural Beauty on both sides of the coast
Taipei 101
Taiwanese Boba Tea
Taiwanese Hospitality
Night Markets
Many more

My Packing List

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-02-27 18:29:01 UTC

In anticipation of visiting 15 universities plus a couple of high schools in Taiwan, my suitcase is filled with Cuesta promotional materials including our Music and CPAC program brochures, Cuesta Jazz and Voce CDs, and beautiful art pieces crafted by our amazingly talented Fine Arts faculty and student team. No matter how full my suitcase is, there is always room for a cute Cougie.

A Special Note from Dr. Curtis

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-02-27 18:29:02 UTC

Thanks to Jason and his nice penmanship, we have a special note to present to the Tunghai University host! The card with the SLO county map was designed and made by Professor Canguo Liu.

Meet the 2024 Fulbright IEA Taiwan cohort

aubrey_kuanroderick — 2024-03-11 13:57:48 UTC

Day 1: we paid a visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and received a briefing from Director-General Wang. I was inspired to hear the Bilingual 2030 Initiative, where all universities in Taiwan will use English as a medium of instruction to deliver a portion of the courses by 2030.

AIT & Tea

aubrey_kuanroderick — 2024-03-12 15:30:31 UTC

Day 2: We visited the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) after a delightful visit to the Mei-Jei Tea Garden. We learned the intricate process of tea making and got to experience manual tea picking. We also participated in the tea ceremony competition and won first place. Go, Team Kelsey! 🎖

NTU, NTUST & TMU

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-13 16:12:05 UTC

Day 3 started with an impressive visit to the top-ranked National Taiwan University (NTU) followed by two innovative universities, the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) and Taipei Medical University (TMU) in Taipei. We spent time with the faculty, staff, and students in appreciating their work towards the Bilingual 2030 initiative. We were all amazed at how successfully they have used English as a medium of instruction in the past few years.

The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-13 21:34:04 UTC

It was such a unique opportunity to visit the American Institute in Taiwan and interacted with two top foreign services officials serving for the public diplomacy section. During the visit, I was reminded that the Taiwan Relation Act of 1979 authorized the continuation of “commercial, cultural and other relations between the people of the United States and the people in Taiwan.”

🎁Comment for a Chance to Win 🎁

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-13 22:07:23 UTC

Spotted at the National Taiwan University during the campus tour, can you guess what this student is purchasing at the machine?

1) A bus ticket

2) A student ID card

3) A Transcript

4) A scantron

5) Other: enter your answer below

The Most Beautiful Library in Taiwan

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-16 14:12:44 UTC

Day 4 began with an exceptional treat to National Chengchi University(NCCU). The beautifully and functionally designed Dah Hsian Seetoo Library completely blew me away. With a unique one-room modular structure, the library book collection does not block the supposedly open space of the library. You must see it in person to appreciate how inviting and spacious it looks and feels. It is an open and flexible place for students to study, hang out with peers, and interact with others in the NCCU community.

Tunghai University

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-16 14:50:50 UTC

Day 5: Cougie and I co-presented the gift to the host, Vice President Jeng Liu at Tunghai University. Contrary to Taiwanese customs that a gift is generally not opened in front of the giver, I asked VP Liu to make an exception to open the gift package. He was genuinely surprised to see the beautiful ceramic cup and the unique mini-sculpture created by Professor Margaret Korisheli. I explained how significant this trip to Tunghai was to me. Just like the Chinese character 回家 (return home) printed on the gift box, it has come full circle to reconnect with my Taiwanese roots while developing new relationships and opportunities for our faculty and students to collaborate.

University Social Responsibility (USR) Project

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-16 22:13:46 UTC

Tunghai University has won multiple USR awards over the years, and its “Water Environment Education 1” won the Asia-Pacific Sustainability Action Gold Award in 2022. As seen in this photo, Professor Lin demonstrated how the University Guardianship of a River project gained support from the central government to lead the Four-School Alliance Action and to promote initiatives and actions with continued success in its sustainability efforts.

Sicao Dazhong Temple in Tainan

2024-03-18 00:36:11 UTC

The shrine was established in the 39th Year of the Kangxi Reign in Qing Dynasty (1699)--simply amazing!

Garden Night Market in Tainan

2024-03-18 00:42:06 UTC

At this vibrant night market with nearly 400 food stalls, I finally got to enjoy my old-time favorite stinky tofu--boy the smell was intense.

Anping Old Fort Museum in Tainan

2024-03-18 00:44:55 UTC

Who'd have thought I can carry 20 lbs of bricks like a breeze!

Sicao Green Tunnel Boat Tour in Tainan

2024-03-18 00:46:51 UTC

Day 7: We had so much fun on the tube raft ride, surrounded by insects and birds chirping to accompany the journey. The wetlands on both sides are lively with mudskippers and tide crabs.

National Cheng Kung University

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-20 15:10:05 UTC

Day 8 was our second and last day in Tainan where we visited the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU). One fun and important fact about NCKU is that the College of Management has been a member of AACSB since December 2005 and was officially accredited in December 2011. I got to meet Prof. Yang and discussed a potential project to collaborate on developing our AI learning lab.

National Dong Hwa University (NDHU)

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-20 15:39:13 UTC

I ended Day 10 with a special treat as I stumbled upon a faculty concert at NDSU while meeting Dean Su. The one-hour concert included a piano solo, two piano duets, solo vocals and a jazz quartet performance. I absolutely enjoy every second of it 🎶

National Sun Yat-Sen University (NSYSU)

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-20 16:01:12 UTC

Day 9 was a super busy day at NSYSU in Kaohsiung. The jam-packed schedule began with a tree planting ceremony, followed by a star-struck international festival, and ended with sea therapy on the university beachfront. Despite the nonstop activities, I managed to meet the chair of the music department Dr. Lin who was delighted to hear about the performing arts center at Cuesta. She shared her brilliant idea of co-creating music to blend classical with jazz. I can't wait to see her again during her visit to California later this year.

🎁 Butterfly Sighting

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-21 23:14:22 UTC

This beautiful photo of a wild butterfly was captured during a peaceful morning walk. Can you guess what city the photo was taken?

1) Taipei

2) Hualien

3) Taichung

4) Kaohsiung

5) Tainan

6) Other

🎁The Mysterious Container 🎁

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-21 23:17:05 UTC

This mysterious container served an interesting role during the tree-planting ceremony at NSYSU. Can you guess the purpose of this container? Please provide a short answer with your first name in the comment section. The first person who answers correctly will receive a special gift provided by NSYSU.

The Brilliant Music Performance

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-23 08:37:55 UTC

Professor Wei led the Jazz Quartet and performed two crowd-pleasing songs, including Hualien and September in Blue. Titled Sounds of the Island, this concert served as the opening ceremony for the Asia-Pacific International Conference on Arts and Humanities. The concert hall with conference attendees from across Taiwan and Japan loved the concert. I shared our Cuesta Jazz CDs with Dean Su and can't wait to start conversations about future collaboration among our students and faculty!

The Art Museum at NTNU

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-23 11:20:46 UTC

Day 13 started with a visit to the National Taipei Normal University (NTNU) and its current exhibition at the museum, The Eye of the Machine: Frames of Options – A Generative AI Interactive Artwork. It's awe-inspiring to see the size of the museum and its declaration as a future-face museum through the language of technology.

Democracy in Action

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-23 11:21:15 UTC

A small demonstration took place in front of the metro station in Ximengding (near where our hotel was). A peaceful demonstration of Hong Kong's independence is the first one I've seen.

Speed Dating at the Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education of Taiwan (FICHET)

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-23 11:21:45 UTC

We ended Day 13 with an education fair hosted by FICHET where we also received a briefing from the Minstry of Education. I met a few more university reps from Hsinchu, Nantou and Pingtung.

The Music Department at NTNU

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-23 11:22:40 UTC

While at NTNU, I was impressed with a wide variety of performances available to the community. I also learned a fun fact that all music majors are required to study a traditional Chinese musical instrument.

Train Ride to Hualien

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-23 11:26:41 UTC

After spending the first 9 days on the west side of Taiwan from Taipei (pei or bei means north) to Taichung (chung means middle) to Tainan (nan means south), we were off on a four-hour train ride to Hualien on the east coast of Taiwan. While on the train ride, we got to enjoy the pork chop Bento Box which was one of my favorite childhood memories. I appreciate the Fulbright Taiwan staff team, who provided a true immersion experience for us to have a taste of how our future study abroad students will experience. Additionally, I got to relive an enjoyable train ride with my fellow Fulbright scholars while having a bento box.

Taroko National Park

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-23 11:27:44 UTC

The healing sound of Liwu River in the Taroko National Park.

My First Amis Lunch

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-23 11:28:28 UTC

A special lunch with a variety of the traditional food of the Amis was one of the highlights in Hualien. We enjoyed the freshly cooked shrimp, baked crabs and winter melon soup (perhaps with a hint of MSG). It was a unique experience and honestly I'd prefer to have lunch with an Amis family.

Taiwanese Indigenous Peoples

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-23 11:29:18 UTC

While in Hualien, we visited the Cultural Center for lunch and enjoyed a lively performance of the Amis, one of the 16 indigenous groups in Taiwan. The Amis numbered around 200,000 is approximately 37.1% of Taiwan's total indigenous population, making them the largest indigenous group. The Amis are primarily fishermen due to their coastal location.

Mini Big Sur

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-23 11:30:15 UTC

Day 12: We stopped at the Clearwater Cliff viewpoint on our way to the Train Station in Hualien. Looking at this breath-taking view, I couldn't help but think about the other side of the Pacific Coast and loved how it mirrors Big Sur off Highway 1.

The SLO Life on the East Coast of Taiwan

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-23 11:31:19 UTC

We started Day 10 with a leisure walk around Liyu Lake nestled in the scenic landscape of Hualien County. The breathtaking mountain and water vistas that captivate visitors from around the world reminded me of the peaceful and beautiful San Luis Obispo (SLO). This was only my second time visiting Hualien, and I couldn't help but loving how much it reminds me of the beautiful Central Coast of California.

Tree Planting at NSYSU

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-23 11:33:22 UTC

It was such an honor to take part in this tree-planting ceremony while visiting NSYSU. To symbolize the ties between Fulbright Taiwan and NSYSU, an osmanthus tree was chosen to be planted in front of the newly renovated historical building constructed during the Japanese occupation. I promised myself to return to NSYSU to not only see the tree, but also to enjoy the fruit of international collaborations for the years to come!

The Enchanting Sun Moon Lake

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-23 11:35:08 UTC

According to legend, an ancestor of the Thao tribe was chasing a white deer and inadvertently discovered the beautifully enchanting Sun Moon Lake.

🎁What about TSMC?

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-23 11:37:04 UTC

Throughout the two-week seminar, the leading semiconductor manufacturing company in Taiwan, TSMC, enjoyed a spotlight in offering industry specific courses and internship opportunities for Taiwanese and international students. Which of the following is incorrect about these amazing opportunities?

1) All courses are offered at Master's or PhD level.

2) Students do not need Mandarin language proficiency.

3) Scholarships and/or stipends are available.

4) The applications are competitive.

Must-have BBQ Pork

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-23 11:38:03 UTC

This special Thao tribe dish is a must-have when visiting the Sun Moon Lake. The skin is super crunchy and the meat is tender. It is a perfect combination, especially with some juicy kimchi on the side.

What's Next?

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-23 11:39:36 UTC

I am extremely grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come to Taiwan as a Fulbright scholar. I look forward to sharing with the Cuesta community about the abundant resources the higher education in Taiwan has in store for our students and faculty.

Old Meets New

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-23 11:42:42 UTC

This tall building behind me known as Taipei 101 is one of Taiwan's most famous skyscrapers. The historic village below is an excellent contrast of how the new and old are blended well together.

🎁University Dairy Farm 🎁

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-23 11:46:46 UTC

Can you provide the full name of the university that produced this product? Please comment below for a chance to win!

See You in SLO

aubrey_cuesta — 2024-03-25 14:18:42 UTC

I can't leave Taiwan without posting a photo with the SLO Life Magazine while visiting the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial in Taipei. See you all soon in SLO!