To promote interaction between international and local students and strengthen multicultural understanding and inclusion on campus, the Office of International Affairs at National Dong Hwa University (NDHU) held a themed “World Café” dialogue event on May 7, 2025. The event attracted 22 enthusiastic participants from various countries and regions, including international students, overseas Chinese students, and local students. Through small group discussions and open exchanges, students engaged face-to-face with professionals both on and off campus, exploring and learning together.

The World Café featured four themed discussion tables, each guided by experts and representatives from different fields and public sectors, focusing on four key areas:

1.International Affairs and Campus Resources: Led by Professor Su Ming-Chien, Director of the Office of International Affairs, this session shared insights into the office’s work, campus internationalization efforts, and available resources. Students expressed keen interest in language support, cultural integration activities, and future international exchange opportunities, resulting in lively interactions.

2. Gender Equality and Diversity Respect: Facilitated by Professor Chang Te-Sheng, Chief Secretary, the discussion delved into gender awareness, diverse gender identities, and concepts of gender equality within cultural differences. The dialogue helped students understand NDHU’s policies and support systems on gender equality and encouraged everyone to contribute to a safe, respectful, and inclusive campus environment.

3.Immigration Regulations and Practical Living: Special guests from the Hualien Immigration Office—Officer Lee Yen-Chieh, Officer Fan De-Hsing, and Officer Tseng Yao-Hung—provided professional explanations and on-site answers concerning common issues faced by international students regarding residency, part-time work, visas, and daily life adaptation. Students raised many practical questions, and the officers patiently clarified them, providing useful information that boosted students’ confidence living in Taiwan.

4. Mental Health and Counseling Resources: Led by Counselor Lee Wen-Chien from the Student Affairs Office’s Counseling and Career Guidance Center, this relaxed discussion encouraged students to pay attention to their mental health and introduced available counseling and support services on campus. The counselor emphasized that seeking help is an important sign of healthy maturity, even when studying far from home.

The event venue was warmly decorated and provided refreshments, creating a comfortable, respectful, and open space for dialogue. Participants shared that the event not only helped them better understand campus resources but also offered opportunities for deeper exchanges with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds, making them feel supported by both the university and society.

The Office of International Affairs stated that it will continue to organize “World Café” and other cross-cultural activities to serve as a bridge connecting international and local students with campus and external resources. The office is dedicated to fostering a more friendly, inclusive, diverse, and globally minded learning environment.