Alya Syalaisha Nuriesta Dhafi, an Applied Foreign Languages student, chose to use her semester break to participate in a Mandarin summer course in Taiwan. As an Applied Foreign Languages student, Alya never imagined that her academic journey would take her to Formosa, Taiwan. Her desire to broaden her cultural horizons and foreign language skills ultimately led her to participate in the Mandarin Summer Camp 2025 at the National Changhua University of Education (NCUE), an international program that opens up opportunities for cross-cultural learning and enriches students’ multilingual competencies.
Although her studies focused on Japanese, this program provided an opportunity for her to expand her linguistic competency by learning Mandarin as an additional foreign language, while also broadening her perspective on the cultural diversity of East Asia.
The program, which ran from August 3-16, 2025, provided an intensive and interactive learning experience. Every day, Alya attended Mandarin classes, which were structured in a communicative manner through practical dialogues, pronunciation exercises, language games, and discussion sessions with NCUE students who acted as study buddies throughout the program.
In addition to formal classroom learning, Alya also gained extensive learning experiences outside of the academic environment. One of her most memorable moments was a visit to Lukang, an ancient city in Taiwan known for its traditional alleys, historic temples, and rich cultural atmosphere. During her time there, Alya was accompanied by study buddies from NCUE who encouraged her to practice Mandarin directly in various situations. She was invited to chat with vendors, ask for information about goods, try to bargain, and even ask for recommendations for local specialties. Simple interactions like these were the most tangible form of learning, honing Alya’s courage and spontaneity in using Mandarin in everyday contexts.
At the end of this intensive program, participants not only receive daily communication materials but are also guided to assess their learning outcomes through the TOCFL (Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language) exam. This exam serves as an indicator of participants’ Mandarin language comprehension and skills after completing the learning process.
For an Applied Foreign Language student, this international experience is crucial for developing professional competency. Alya learned to be more sensitive to cultural diversity, confident in communicating in a multinational environment, and build a global network that will be beneficial for her future. This program not only strengthened her linguistic abilities but also fostered adaptability and global thinking.