(中央社訊息服務20250708 10:28:27)On July 1, the Hualien County Government hosted a press conference at the county hall to mark the achievements of the 2025 Education Hope Program, which provides full scholarships for study abroad and international affairs training. The event brought together 16 students who had recently returned from the United States, 17 junior and senior high school students preparing to depart for overseas studies, and 5 university and high school students set to join a cultural exchange program in Germany. Hualien County Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei, joined by guests including County Councilor Dibus Ilai and Charlotte Han, President of the Sino-German Cultural and Economic Association, congratulated the returning students and encouraged those about to leave to follow in their predecessors’ footsteps. She urged them to embrace new cultures, expand their global horizons, and help shape a promising future for themselves and Hualien.
Mayor Hsu emphasized that the Education Hope Program is one of the county’s most significant initiatives, backed by substantial resources and long-term commitment. She expressed special appreciation for the Department of Education and President Han, who has been instrumental in advancing the study-abroad program in Germany. Recalling her own official exchange visit to Bavaria, where she walked over 30,000 steps daily while exploring historic landmarks and local food culture, Mayor Hsu said the trip was filled with learning moments. She stressed that these experiences teach students not only language skills but also how to understand and interpret the world. She encouraged parents to support their children in stepping out of their comfort zones and assured them that the county government would stand firmly behind them. Hualien remains committed to strengthening both foundational education and international engagement, aiming to create more upward opportunities for local youth.
Since the program’s launch in 2016, Hualien has sponsored 74 senior high school and 73 junior high school students to study in the United States. It has also sent 18 university and graduate students to Germany for international affairs training. After the pandemic, six students were additionally selected to attend short-term study programs at the University of Toronto in Canada. Many alumni have stayed in touch with their classmates and host families abroad, continuing to develop their language abilities and strengthen international friendships. For the 2025 cohort, the county plans to select 10 senior high and 10 junior high students for U.S. study programs, and 2 university students and 3 high school students for the Germany exchange initiative. These two flagship projects embody the county’s vision for global talent cultivation through a structured three-phase approach: selection, training, and overseas study. The programs also include guaranteed placements for students from disadvantaged or Indigenous backgrounds, demonstrating the county’s commitment to educational equity and multicultural learning.
The 16 students returning from the U.S. had studied in 12 different states, including Texas. While abroad, they immersed themselves in local academic programs, experienced classroom dynamics firsthand, and engaged in collaborative learning with both American and international peers. These experiences helped sharpen their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Their outstanding performance was widely praised by host families and schools. High school student Chen Ya-Chieh actively participated in a wide range of activities, including math club, mock trial, the school fencing team, and served as a student ambassador for community events. Another student, Chan Chia-Hsin, challenged herself to move beyond her focus on volleyball by exploring basketball, track and field, and strength training. Activities she once would have hesitated to try have now become key milestones in her personal growth. All returning students spoke at the press conference, sharing how their time abroad helped them become more independent and confident as they prepared for university or high school. Participants in the Germany exchange program have since enrolled in top national universities, inspired by their exposure to global cultures and languages. Many are expected to return to local junior high and elementary schools. There, they will share their experiences in the upcoming academic year.
As part of the ceremony, the county government invited both the outgoing U.S. and Germany cohorts and their parents to attend the event. A moving moment came when Chen Ya-Chieh performed “A Whole New World” from Disney’s Aladdin on violin, setting the tone for the journey ahead and inspiring her peers to bravely explore new cultures and discover new possibilities. In celebration and encouragement, Mayor Hsu awarded certificates to the returnees and presented tea gift sets, the county’s Discovering Hualien publication, and commemorative postcards to the departing students. She expressed her best wishes for their success as ambassadors of Hualien, as they prepare to broaden their international outlook and embark on a journey of personal growth, cultural exchange, and lifelong learning.
