Taiwan Tech implemented the Ministry of Education–funded 2024 Life Education Program “Embrace the World - Explore Life,” organizing a total of 46 events throughout the year - including lectures, group sessions, workshops, and camps - attracting 3,970 participants. With a satisfaction rate of 80%, the program was recognized by the Ministry of Education and invited to share its success story.

Through the all-English “Cultural Adaptation and Self-Care” board game workshop for international students, participants shared stories of diverse cultural experiences.

Drawing on the practical experience of counseling psychologists, the Counseling and Guidance Section of Taiwan Tech's Office of Student Affairs observed a key trend since the easing of the pandemic in 2024: as the world reopened, life shifted from being confined to the cloud back into the real world. Students who had grown accustomed to digital, home-based lives were now returning to in-person communities. Despite the boundless connectivity of the internet and increased international exchange, real-life interpersonal relationships often felt more distant and disconnected.

This lack of face-to-face social support emerged as a major factor contributing to students' emotional distress. Given Taiwan Tech’s high proportion of international students and its culturally diverse and inclusive environment, the 2024 Life Education Program was designed to reflect the university’s unique strengths - focusing on building real-world, multicultural community connections.

Through in-person activities, Taiwan Tech created tangible bridges across various student groups, encouraging individuals to explore life issues both inwardly and outwardly - from self-reflection to connecting with others. These initiatives helped students form diverse and caring interpersonal support systems, empowering them to cultivate resilience and stability in an unpredictable world.

The program centered on topics such as emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships, including anxiety and depression management, grief healing, self-acceptance and care, and smartphone addiction. It also addressed the transition from virtual to in-person communication through workshops on setting personal boundaries, building interpersonal support, navigating social media, and managing social fatigue. These activities helped students reflect on their relationship patterns and build respectful, supportive communities both online and offline.

Through the Mindful Hand-Brewed Coffee Workshop, the principles of mindfulness therapy were integrated into everyday life experiences.

Take the Mindful Hand-Brewed Coffee Workshop as an example: through the process of hand-brewing coffee, students were guided to practice mindfulness techniques and focus on the present moment. By shifting their attention from external distractions back to their bodily sensations, they learned ways to cultivate self-acceptance and care, helping to calm stress and anxiety.

One participant shared in their feedback:“Today, by tasting food more mindfully, I realized how enjoyable it is to slow down and truly savor each bite. I never knew that eating the same food in different ways could create such a noticeable difference in flavor. This activity helped me turn my attention inward and find calm—it taught me many helpful ways to cope with stress and anxiety.”

In the art therapy workshop “My Island Project: Shaping Your Unique World”, students used artistic materials to explore and construct their self-concept.

Taiwan Tech’s Life Education Program embodies the vision of a “global village on campus” by organizing bilingual workshops, international student board game events, and counseling groups that bring together local and international students. These activities foster multicultural life experiences and enhance cultural adaptation and community support for international students. Through the 2024 Life Education Program, students have gained valuable personal growth, and real-life campus communities have become more closely connected.

Through the all-English “Stress Management and Self-Care” craft workshop, international students created paper airplanes as a way to reflect on their adaptation journey in Taiwan and rediscover their inner strength.

In the Life Tree Exploration workshop, the instructor guided both local and international students in sharing their personal life trees through a bilingual (Chinese-English) format. This process helped participants discover inner strengths and resources, foster hope for their past, present, and future, and build cross-cultural community connections. One international student shared, “Seeing others’ life trees reminded me that everyone has their own strength, challenges, and hopes.”

Group photo from the Psychology Camp organized by the Counseling Volunteer Team.