Taiwan Travel CourseThe Gateway to Taiwan initiative sparked after the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) collaborated with Chapman University’s Center for Global Education to host “Enchanting Taiwan” in 2012. As a result of this relationship, TECO was able to help fund a Mandarin language instructor at Chapman. Today, the instructor is now a full-time faculty member and the program, which will become an official minor at Chapman soon, has grown to over 60 students. Apart from the exchange programs and cultural events introduced to Chapman students on campus, a 3-week travel course is organized during the summer to build student interest in Taiwan and its culture. Additionally, the annual cultural performance held in May to celebrate Taiwanese American Heritage Week welcomes over 900 community members to Chapman. Chapman hopes to maintain this engagement between Chapman students, Taiwan, and the local community through these yearlong series of events for years to come.

Moon Festival and Cultural Workshop

  • Hands on workshops including calligraphy, blow painting, music, and dance were held to enhance understanding of Chinese language and Taiwanese art.

TASA table at fairInternational Education Week

  • Student organizations and departments hosted various events, speakers, film screenings, and activities for the Chapman community to reiterate the importance and relevance of international education at Chapman and engagement with the local community.
  • This annual tradition serves as a celebration of international, cultural, and diversity awareness at Chapman.

Lantern Festival at the Study Abroad Fair

  • To mark the end of the Chinese New Year TASA organized a table at the Study Abroad Fair that included a lantern craft and more opportunities to learn about the Lantern Festival.

Taiwan jazz quartetSi Zhua Quartet Performance and Q&A

  • An ward-winning classical jazz quartet performed in Oliphant Hall.

Taiwan cultural fair performanceTaiwanese Cultural Fair

  • Games, activities, and song and dance performances were held with boba (tea) and pastries provided by TASA.

Taiwanese Puppetry (Budaixi) Performance

  • A celebration of Orange County’s Taiwanese-American Heritage Week blending traditional Taiwanese puppetry with an innovative light show.