Taiwan’s Chang Gung University of Science and Technology sent 16 students and 2 teachers to the United States to participate in a 4-week nursing professional training program at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). Organized by the Hakka Association of California, the students also visited local businesses run by Chinese entrepreneurs, providing them with opportunities to gain overseas internship experience, exchange ideas, and learn about potential job opportunities in the United States.
According to Xie Yingman, a teacher from Chang Gung University, the students participating in the “Overseas Learning – Building Dreams at Sea” program, sponsored by the Ministry of Education and Chang Gung University, underwent training at CSUSB, which included technical guidance, scenario practice, group discussions, and English oral presentations, offering them valuable learning opportunities.
On July 30, the students and teachers held a “Taiwan Night” event as part of their cultural exchange activities in the U.S. They invited CSUSB faculty, students, and their families to join in the cultural banquet. Taiwanese students demonstrated acupressure massage techniques to help relax muscles, utilizing pressure points like Jian Jing, He Gu, and Ying Xiang to relieve stress and promote wellness, earning praise from attendees of diverse ethnic backgrounds. The students also shared traditional Chinese couplets and decorative ornaments with the CSUSB community.
A student from Chang Gung University, Chiu Jiawei, expressed that the nursing internship in the U.S. was very practical, especially the realistic practice equipment for venipuncture exercises. It helped her learn blood drawing, venous catheter placement, and interpreting electrocardiograms. The English-speaking environment in both daily life and study also helped improve her English speaking skills and boosted her confidence. Chiu Jiawei plans to accumulate work experience in Taiwan after completing her studies and found that working in the U.S. is not as challenging as she had initially thought, motivating her to pursue her goal of working and living in the U.S.
Under the coordination of Huang Yongji, President of the Hakka Association of California, Vice President Jiang Ruiying, convener Du Ruizhu, and host Zhao Maoxiu, the students from Chang Gung University visited the AHMC Healthcare Group on the morning of August 2 (Friday), where they learned about the current status of medical services in the U.S. through an introduction by the group’s co-CEO, Qiu Wenda.
During lunchtime, the students met with Chen Minyong, the director of the Los Angeles Overseas Chinese Cultural and Educational Services Center, to share their internship experiences. In the afternoon, they visited local beauty schools, nursing homes, and senior living centers in Los Angeles to gain firsthand insights into the possibilities of living and working in the U.S. The students exhibited a keen interest in working in the U.S., considering it no longer an unattainable dream, but they acknowledged the importance of completing their studies in Taiwan, building a strong foundation in English, and then considering working in the U.S. They also noticed significant differences in the time allocation and nurse-to-patient ratios between Taiwan and the U.S.
Huang Yongji expressed his delight in providing a platform for Taiwanese students to engage in cultural exchange through the Hakka Association of California, allowing them to experience American culture while hoping that this journey would help enhance their professional knowledge and skills, as well as broaden their perspectives on future employment opportunities.