Feng Chia University and Mae Fah Luang University Enter Their Third Year of Reciprocal Overseas Learning, Witnessing Student Growth Through Cross-Cultural Exchange

The reciprocal overseas learning program jointly organized by the College of Business at Feng Chia University and Mae Fah Luang University (MFU) of Thailand has entered its third year. From July 1 to July 23, faculty members and students from both institutions participated in a two-way exchange between Chiang Rai, Thailand, and Taichung, Taiwan. The program not only covered topics such as business communication, sustainable accounting, and entrepreneurship, but also immersed students in authentic cross-cultural learning environments.

This year’s program adopted a two-stage reciprocal exchange model. During the first phase, 10 students from the College of Business at Feng Chia University traveled to MFU in Chiang Rai, where they participated in an intensive ten-day academic program combined with local cultural experiences.

In the second phase, Dean Piyatida Pianluprasidh and Associate Dean Pratsanee Na Keeree of MFU’s College of Business led 16 Thai students to Taiwan for the continuation of the program at Feng Chia University. Students from both institutions further developed their collaborative projects through a Business Project course and delivered their final presentations on July 23.

During their stay in Taiwan, the visiting Thai delegation also toured the TSMC Museum of Innovation and the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), gaining firsthand exposure to Taiwan’s globally competitive high-tech industries. Together, these activities formed a comprehensive and highly integrated international learning experience.

Students from Feng Chia University and Mae Fah Luang University participated in a debate on the topic of “Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)”, discussing issues related to consumer ethics, financial innovation, and corporate social responsibility.

As part of the program, Feng Chia University arranged a visit to the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) for participating faculty members and students.

For Cheng-Yu Chiang, a first-year student in the Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science, the most memorable part of the program was the opening course on Business Negotiation and Conflict Management.

“Negotiation is not about winning an argument,” he reflected. “It is about clearly understanding your bottom line and your alternatives.”

Through the course, Chiang was introduced to the concept of BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement) for the first time. The practical knowledge he gained motivated him to push beyond his comfort zone during a subsequent debate on BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later), where he confidently presented his arguments in English without prior scripting.

For Tun-Yu Chang, a second-year student in the Department of Public Finance, the journey became a transformative experience in self-discovery.

Before departure, she was not particularly concerned about her English ability. However, after engaging in real-world communication with international peers, she realized that her language skills required further development and initially chose to take a less prominent role within her team.

Yet this challenge ultimately became a turning point. Observing that Thai students confidently expressed their ideas despite accents or occasional grammatical imperfections inspired her to rethink her own approach to communication.

Upon returning to Taiwan, she immediately established a personal learning plan that included listening to podcasts and watching short-form videos to strengthen her English proficiency and rebuild her confidence.

As President Matchima Naradisorn of Mae Fah Luang University encouraged participating students, the goal of the program was to help them “become lifelong friends.”

Throughout the exchange, Thai and Taiwanese students not only collaborated on business projects but also built meaningful friendships through cultural interaction and shared experiences.

Looking ahead, Feng Chia University will continue deepening its partnership with Mae Fah Luang University through collaborative teaching, faculty and student exchanges, and other innovative overseas learning initiatives.

By expanding experiential and international learning opportunities, the University aims to cultivate business professionals equipped with practical skills, global perspectives, and the adaptability needed to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.