English Majored Students’ Invaluable Experience Collaborating with WLFD

Author: Ally Chan

The League conference welcomed distinguished international guests, including members of parliament and representatives from various national chapters of WLFD. The program aimed to recruit enthusiastic, English-proficient students to assist in welcoming international guests, offering students valuable real-world English communication practice, enhancing their language skills and intercultural understanding.

One participating student reflected, "The WLFD General Conference was an eye-opening experience that allowed me to engage with international diplomacy and witness the complexities of conference organization. My role as a receptionist during the event enabled me to observe key aspects of event coordination, guest management, and interpretation services."

Another student shared deeper professional insights: "I decided to explore interpreting as a career option. I understand that becoming a successful part-time interpreter will require a balance of language expertise, preparation, adaptability, and strong communication skills. My experience at the WLFD General Conference has given me a clearer sense of the challenges I will face and the areas where I need to grow."

A third student noted, "Attending the WLFD General Conference as a student is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I had the privilege of being part of the working staff, which allowed me to gain invaluable experience. Throughout the event, I not only learned more about what a global conference would be like but also strengthened my teamwork and interpersonal skills."

For future collaborations, Dr. Chang explained that, "As the instructor, my reflection is whether I should continue such a kind of joint project." 

Any decision to continue such collaborations hinges on the broader educational value, with Chang stating, "I want to ensure the whole class can eventually benefit from the opportunity." 

The collaboration between Fu Jen Catholic University and the World League for Freedom and Democracy represents a remarkable educational initiative that bridges academic learning with real-world professional experience. This partnership not only enhances language and communication skills but also offers invaluable insights into international diplomacy, conference management, and professional interpretation. As educational institutions continue to seek innovative ways to prepare students for global careers, such initiatives demonstrate the transformative power of experiential learning, enabling students to develop critical skills, expand their professional horizons, and gain a deeper understanding of international professional environments.