FIU Students Study Mandarin Chinese in Taiwan as Part of New Study Abroad Program

FIU Students Embark on Mandarin Chinese Study Abroad Program in Taiwan

Four FIU students have embarked on an exciting study abroad adventure in Taiwan as part of a new program aimed at deepening ties between Taiwan and South Florida. The students are currently attending a four-week intensive-language program at Shih Chien University (SCU) Chinese Language Center in Taipei, thanks to a generous $2,500 stipend from the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy.

The initiative was born out of a partnership between FIU and the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Miami, following the establishment of a sister-state partnership between Florida and Taiwan earlier this year. The goal is to enhance economic and cultural collaboration between the two regions, with plans in motion for joint course offerings in disciplines such as hospitality and tourism management, cybersecurity, and business.

Leland Lazarus, a professor of practice and associate director of national security policy at the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy, played a key role in creating the program. As a China expert fluent in Mandarin, Lazarus collaborated with various departments and faculty members at FIU to make the study abroad opportunity a reality.

One of the participating students, Carmen Ordonez, expressed her excitement about the program, stating, “I want to immerse myself in Asian culture, and this program is a perfect fit for me.” Another student, Mikele Mancuso, intends to extend his stay in Taiwan to continue studying Chinese at a different university for the remainder of the year.

During a special send-off event and dinner organized by TECO Miami, Director General Charles Chou encouraged the students to embrace the opportunity to connect with local Taiwanese youth and serve as cultural ambassadors for both FIU and the state of Florida. The students were reminded of the importance of representing their university and state while abroad.

With FIU’s commitment to fostering international partnerships and academic exchanges, the students in Taiwan are poised to gain invaluable experiences and insights that will undoubtedly shape their academic and personal growth. This study abroad program is not just about language immersion; it’s about building bridges between cultures and laying the groundwork for future collaborations and friendships.