The Education Division, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in LA collaborated with California State University at San Bernardino (CSUSB) to hold the first ever “Taiwan Fair” cultural workshop on May, 24th. Aiming to encourage students to study in Taiwan and learn Chinese language and Taiwanese Culture, the host of the activity, Chinese language instructor Corrina Shih initiated the idea and reached out for sponsorship from the CSUSB Department of World Languages and Literatures, and the Educational Division of the Taipei Economic Cultural Office in Los Angeles to make it happen.
The fair was open to all CSUSB undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in learning more about Taiwanese culture and gain hands-on experience with Chinese art. The workshop included the dance performance of the Electro Neon God and demonstrations of the traditional Chinese brush painting and decoration of a paper fan, zodiac charm, and sky lantern. The workshop attracted around 80 students to participate.
When addressed to the participants, Director of the Education Division Rebecca Lan explained to the audience why Taiwan is regarded as the best and most completely persevered Chinese culture and Taiwanese culture is one of the richest in the world. Taiwanese culture blends aboriginal cultures, Chinese classical culture, Japanese and Western-influenced cultures. If we look back the history of Taiwan in the past 400 years, it is easy to understand why Taiwan can integrate so many different cultures. She encouraged the students to take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad in Taiwan, not only because the most effective way to learn Chinese language and culture is to immerse yourself into the environment, but also because study abroad actually is an adventure that builds self-confidence, valuable skills and global perspective. A study shows that study abroad contributes to the development of transferrable skills as well as positive employment gains, in other word; it shows that studying abroad has a direct impact on critical skills needed for employment in today’s workforce, such as communication skill and interpersonal skill.
President Tomás Morales of CSUSB stopped by the workshop to show his support to the event. He also encouraged students to study abroad and told students that CSUSB is establishing exchange programs with universities in Taiwan. He asked the participants how many will join the program to study abroad in Taiwan and was satisfied by the numbers of the students who raised their hands without hesitation. Dr. Morales pictured together with the Electro Neon God showing hand signal of Coyotes, the mascot of CSUSB and even dancing to electronic music with the large puppet in the images of god who has long been great ambassador for Taiwan.
President of CSUSB, Dr. Tomás Morales pictured with the Electro Neon God showing hand signal of Coyotes, the mascot of the university.
Participants, the Director of Education Division Rebecca Lan and volunteer teachers from the Taipei Economic and Culture Office-LA gathering for the inaugural “Taiwan Fair” art workshop at California State University at San Bernardino
