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Author: Vincent Suselo
On October 18th, 2024, Fu Jen Catholic University’s International Diversified Elite Club (IDEA) held a Food Day event to provide the school’s international students the opportunity to experience foods from different countries. According to Steven Fu, IDEA’s former president from the previous semester, the main purpose of food day is “to bridge connections between all international students studying at FJU”, and for local Taiwanese students to learn about the unique foods and delicacies offered by other countries.
IDEA is a student-led group dedicated to organizing various events to spur cultural exchanges between Fu Jen Catholic University’s (FJU) local and international students. Food Day is a staple event hosted by IDEA every semester, where students from various nationalities showcase and share their country or culture’s cuisine. Food Day and the other various events held by IDEA allow international students to build connections and friendships with local students, which would make their university exchange experience more memorable in the long run.
Photo source: IDEA. Picture of the Japanese Food Booth serving Ogura Toast
The event was held in LM101 hall, with doors opening at 5:30 PM. Attendees came in to be greeted by the numerous IDEA club members, who provided name tags for everyone. Afterwards, attendees were given a chance to mingle and socialize for around half an hour. A representative from FJU’s International Student Center gave a few words before the main activities commenced, starting with presentations from each of the country representatives introducing the foods or beverages they were serving. After the presentations, the attendees were allowed to roam the hall and sample the foods provided by the various country booths.
The countries represented during Food Day were Italy, Japan, India, Spain, Myanmar, and Taiwan. The Italian booth provided the night’s main source of carbohydrates with two different kinds of pasta. Japan served Ogura Toast, a specialty from Nagoya featuring toast topped with a sweet jam made from red mung beans. Next, the Indian booth prepared panipuris, deep-fried hollow balls filled with potatoes and chickpeas, topped with flavored water known as “pani.” The Spanish booth brought Spanish Omelette, also commonly known as tortilla de patatas, which is an omelette dish made from eggs and potatoes. Last, but not least, of the foreign country booths, Myanmar served Mont Let Saung, a traditional Southeast Asian dessert of coconut milk sweetened by palm sugar with added toppings such as green rice flour jelly.
Photo source: IDEA. photo of attendees and Myanmar exchange students at the Myanmar Food Booth
Finally, Taiwan also had its own booth, in order to help introduce the international students to their host country’s local cuisine. The booth served pidan doufu among other local dishes, which is silken tofu served with century eggs. Although some foreigners were initiallyput off by the taste of the dish, but others were pleasantly surprised by its unique taste.
Reception of the event was also very warm. Aiyanna, a student from St. Lucia shared, “the event was a good way to bring [the school’s international students] closer together” and that food, in her opinion, is the best way to bond. Kasey, a Filipino student, enjoyed being able to make new friends from different countries. Previously, he had been unable to find other Filipino students in FJU, but he was able to meet and make some Filipino friends thanks to the event.
IDEA and their events represent the school’s efforts to care for its international students and make them feel at home as much as possible. While some of the club’s budget comes from the registration fee new members have to pay, a significant amount comes from the school itself. It is also a representation of the government’s efforts to attract more international students to come study in Taiwan, and even stay here to work after graduation.
In recent years, Taiwan’s number of university graduates has been falling which has resulted in rising job vacancies. Data from the Ministry of Education states that 301,000 students graduated from university in 2019, compared to just 275,000 in 2024. According to the National Development Council, Taiwan’s labor market gap is projected to reach 350,000 people by 2028 and 480,000 by 2030.
To address this issue, the government has announced plans to attract 320,000 international students by 2030, mostly from Southeast Asia, and retain 210,000 of them after graduation, according to Erudera News. The government plans to invest NT$5.2 billion (US$162 million) in providing scholarships and living cost allowances for the students. Additionally, the Ministry of Education has also promised to simplify the procedure for international students to attain residency and permanent residency in Taiwan.
According to Taiwan News, Taiwan has announced plans to attract 250,000 foreign students, mainly from SE Asia, annually to study and eventually stay and work in Taiwan. The Ministry of Economic Affairs said it will recruit international students to address industry labor shortages. The National Development Council estimated Taiwan’s labor market gap will be about 350,000 people by 2028 and 480,000 by 2030. However, currently only around 19000 international students study in Taiwan each year with a retention rate of just 47%. Only time will tell if the government’s plans will come to fruition.
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