The “Diplomatic Cadets – English Seed Team Selection Event,” jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of China, has sent a winning team of 12 members on a visit to the U.S. East Coast from February 3 to February 13, starting their journey in New York City. On February 5, the group interacted and exchanged experiences with students from Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY) and New York University (NYU) at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York.
Led by the Deputy Counselor of the Public Diplomacy Coordination Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Xu Yuqiao, the delegation includes two outstanding teams from Mingde High School in Taichung City and Taipei First Girls’ High School in Taipei City, with a total of 8 students. These teams from the two high schools stood out from 79 teams and over 300 participants nationwide through regional and national selection rounds, all conducted in English.
In a welcome reception, Li Zhiqiang, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, highlighted the significance of the students’ visit in not only broadening their horizons but also enhancing mutual understanding between Taiwan and the United States through various exchange activities. He emphasized that this trip is not only an opportunity for the personal growth of the students but also a national diplomatic action showcasing Taiwan’s soft power. He expressed hope that the cadets would bring back what they have seen and heard to Taiwan, becoming a bridge for Taiwan’s exchange with the world.
The activity garnered support from the New York State Assembly, with Cristian Macario, Chief of Staff to Vice Speaker Phil Ramos, emphasizing the long-standing friendly relationship between New York and Taiwan in various fields such as economy, culture, and education. He encouraged students from CUNY and Hunter College to consider participating in the Mosaic Taiwan project to deepen their understanding of Taiwan’s social operations and foster more interactions between American and Taiwanese youth.
Leader Xu Yuqiao mentioned that in response to President Lai Ching-te’s “Billion Dreams Foundation Project for Youth Abroad,” this year’s Diplomatic Cadets visiting team has expanded the number of winning teams from the previous 3 to 5, allowing more young students to venture into the world and fulfill their dreams abroad. The visit to the three major cities in the U.S. East Coast aims to leverage the soft power of Taiwan’s youth and promote youth public diplomacy.
Olivia Wei, the supervising teacher from Mingde High School in Taichung, praised the students for demonstrating excellent English proficiency and teamwork spirit during the competition preparation process. She noted that the visit to the U.S. provides them with a chance to apply their learning in real-life interactions and experience American culture, offering a valuable experience beyond what can be achieved in the classroom.
On the other hand, Wu Qiu-jin, a geography teacher from Taipei First Girls’ High School, stated that the school encourages students to focus on global issues. The firsthand experience of the social and political environment in the U.S. allows students to break free from textbooks and personally experience how the world operates, marking a crucial step in broadening their international perspective.
Representatives from the International Relations Clubs at Hunter College and NYU also participated in the reception, exchanging views on international affairs with the Taiwanese students. Haasil Pujara from Hunter College shared his experience of studying abroad in Kaohsiung, Taiwan last summer in Chinese, praising Taiwan’s warmth and cultural diversity, expressing his anticipation of returning to Taiwan in the future.
During their three-day visit in New York, the group visited the New York City Hall and City Council, met with the International Affairs Division of the New York City government, engaged with students and faculty from New York City and New Jersey universities, visited youth international organizations, and toured Columbia University. On February 6, they will head to Boston for the next leg of their visit.