Ray Huang couldn’t believe all of the high-tech gaming equipment and computers available for students competing in esports at the Richland Campus. He had a similar reaction when he went to the part of campus that housed the manufacturing lab’s cutting-edge technology and systems.
“A lot of machines,” Huang said, smiling. “In Taiwan, a teacher tells you how to do it. In America, you can do a lot more hands-on learning.”
Huang was among 30 students from the Education Department of New Taipei City, Taiwan, who toured Dallas College earlier this month. Dallas College’s Office of International Engagement and Global Competitiveness (IEGC) hosted the event in partnership with the college’s School of Business, Hospitality and Global Trade and Student Success departments including Student Life and Engagement, Office of Intercultural and Global Student Engagement (IGSE), Special Populations and Office of Admissions and Compliance.
The Taiwan delegation met with several administrators throughout the day as they learned about Dallas College. The highlight may have come just before lunch, though, when Professor Kay Coder taught them how to line dance.
Many of the students were musically gifted. For example, Huang played the piano at an event earlier in the delegation’s trip. He also plays the violin and guitar. Music was an easy way for the students to break cultural barriers.
“It’s a very universal language,” Huang said. “Art and music connect you.”
Asked to sum up the entire experience, Huang simply said: “It’s been very cool.”
Family Connection
Ray Huang’s trip had an added layer of meaning as he was able to connect with his aunt and uncle, Sunny Huang and Michael Betzen, who both work at the college.
Sunny, who has been with the college for 15 years and serves as a senior director of ISD Digital Engagement and Technology Support, called it a dream scenario to have her nephew attend this type of event at her workplace.
“When he got selected for this program to do a tour in the U.S., the whole family was so proud,” Sunny said. “Then, when we found out that he’d be coming to a college that I’ve been working for … I don’t how to explain it.
“I’m so proud of this college. I’m so proud of my family. It’s just amazing. I really appreciate everyone who allowed me to be part of this so I can show off to my nephew and his classmates what an amazing college we have.”
Expanding Footprint
Dallas College is home to a number of international students and would like to see that number continue to grow. There are currently 10 students from Taiwan, although the delegation that visited suggests there is strong interest for those students to obtain a university degree.
Many of the students are interested in fields that Dallas College specializes in including gaming, arts and fashion, computer science, manufacturing and business-related fields.
As Sunny Huang said, “I think this kind of exchange and experience will help us recruit more international students in Taiwan.”
Diana Urrutia, Dallas College’s vice provost of IEGC, echoed those thoughts.
“Hosting international visitors at Dallas College invites the sharing of global perspectives and creating new collaborative learning opportunities with international partner institutions to foster global citizenship in the classroom and beyond,” she said.
