In 2025, the FASCA new student training camp in the Golden Mountain Bay Area concluded with a graduation showcase on Sunday, June 22nd. A total of 60 new and old students successfully obtained the qualification of “Overseas Youth Cultural Ambassador.” Over the next year, they will participate in various community welfare and cultural promotion activities as representatives of Taiwan youth culture ambassadors, aiming to inherit and promote Taiwanese culture.
The training camp, organized by the South Bay Overseas Chinese Education Center, lasted for three days from June 20th to 22nd. The curriculum focused on four core aspects: leadership, service, culture, and inheritance. It covered opening ceremonies, cultural volunteer training, Taiwanese cultural experiences and practical applications, teamwork, leadership development, as well as FASCA’s action-oriented programs. The goal was to cultivate students’ diverse abilities and deepen their cultural identity.
On the day of the graduation ceremony, Deputy Consul General Zhu Yongchang from the Consulate General in San Francisco, Director Zhuang Yashu and Deputy Director Cai Jiahua of the Golden Mountain Bay Area Cultural and Educational Center, as well as representatives from the overseas Chinese community including Wei Dezhen, Li Yuanlin, Zhang Zhengbang, and Liu Lingxia, attended the event along with over 200 students and parents, witnessing the students’ learning achievements.
During his speech, Deputy Consul General Zhu congratulated the students on becoming official FASCA cultural ambassadors this year. He encouraged them to deepen their understanding of Taiwan, utilize their strengths, introduce Taiwanese culture to their communities and friends, and let more people understand this proud homeland.
Director Zhuang Yashu mentioned that FASCA, since its inception in 2011, has now entered its 15th year. It is an important youth cultivation project of the Overseas Community Affairs Council that assists young people in building networks, developing leadership abilities, broadening international perspectives, and most importantly, establishing emotional connections with Taiwan. She expressed gratitude to the Hui Zhi Cultural and Educational Foundation, mentors, volunteers, as well as the support of distinguished guests from the overseas Chinese community for contributing to the success of this training camp.
The showcase displayed the students’ learning outcomes from the three days, including performances like the FASCA Ambassador Dance “Perfect World,” branch dance “Let’s Be Together,” senior student dance performance “Impression of Taiwan,” and family oral history short films personally made by the students, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience. The exhibition area featured exploding boxes showcasing the students’ family geographic backgrounds.
Six teams were named after Taiwan’s distinctive features, including “Taipei 101,” “Butterfly,” “Blue Magpie,” “Black Bear,” “Tree Frog,” and “Jade Mountain.” Each team took turns to showcase their team slogans and self-made team flags, exhibiting their teamwork spirit and creativity. The parents in the audience continuously applauded and took photos with cameras and phones to commemorate the moment.
During the graduation ceremony, the students solemnly swore to become FASCA cultural ambassadors, received flags from distinguished guests, and were presented with certificates and awards.
Student Shen Kaijie delivered a speech on behalf of the new students, expressing his initial nervousness and shyness in unfamiliar surroundings. However, FASCA provided him with the opportunity to learn about Taiwanese culture and make friends from different backgrounds. He thanked the coaches and classmates for their acceptance and encouragement, giving him the courage to open up and integrate into this warm community.
He emotionally stated, “It is everyone’s kindness and welcome that has allowed me to get to know such a wonderful community. We are fortunate to learn and grow together in such a positive community and environment. Thank you to all the coaches, classmates, and everyone involved.”