International internships and service learning are the key pillars of international education at NTU. Through initiatives like the World Volunteer Society (NTUWVS) and Service-Learning in Northern Thailand (NTUSLINT), we uphold the principle of “diplomacy for all people.” Over the past 17 years, these organizations have traveled to Mumbai, Ladakh, Nepal, and Northern Thailand, forging friendly and reciprocal bonds with local schools and communities. In doing so, they have offered their services to over 5,000 individuals. The Global Volunteer Network is engaged in efforts to connect Taiwan’s volunteer organizations with others around the globe. Taiwanese youth are actively engaging with international NGOs and NPOs to elevate their visibility and reputation on the global stage. This participation also facilitates Taiwan’s role as a mutually beneficial partner to other countries in the New Southbound Policy, strengthening ties within the international community.
In the summer of 2023, the NTUWVS embarked on a 15-day trip to Vinayak Shiksha Niketan School in Nepal. Before the trip, the team collaborated with government bodies and civic organizations to provide comprehensive training in both basic and specialized skills to volunteers. They also devised an 8-week thematic lesson plan aimed at teaching Chinese language, culture, and science, with the overarching goal of fostering a sense of global citizenship among local students. The NTUWVS also delves deeper into the local culture, building strong relationships based on trust, friendship, and cooperation with local organizations or overseas Chinese communities.
The NTUSLINT, with its aim of upholding the concept of service learning, has visited dozens of Chinese schools, including Nong Bua, Mae Sai, Pha Dang, and Phayapai Village. During the 2024 winter vacation, the society visited the village of Nong Bua, where they accompanied the elderly. The society also dedicated 20 days to delivering interactive and engaging courses to students from kindergarten to senior high school at Zhongxing Senior High School and FuHwa Senior High School. The courses covered a diverse range of topics like Scout knotting, making catapults from wooden chopsticks, the 3Cs of the internet, and animal processed products.
The World Volunteer Society equips students with fundamental programming concepts by manipulating logic blocks and provides learning guidelines and online resources. The primary aim is to inspire students with an interest in programming languages to further learn and enhance their ability to write programs and think logically.
The World Volunteer Society, an initiative of the International Insight Program, introduces students to indigenous peoples from various parts of the world, including Taiwan and Nepal. This initiative aims to foster an understanding of the social circumstances and challenges faced by these communities, encouraging students to embrace and appreciate their cultural diversity.
After a brief introduction to Scouting and facilitating exchanges between Taiwanese and Thai Scouts, the Service-Learning in Northern Thailand introduced classes for teaching and practicing knotting as well as a lashing knot practical application competition.