MSU formalizing exchange program with Taiwanese university

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - Minnesota State University, Mankato has started to formalize a student and faculty exchange program with a Taiwanese university. MSU students can study in more than 60 countries and explore over 300 programs.

Minnesota State faculty met with school leaders of National Kaohsiung Normal University in Taiwan. While the meeting wrapped up here at 11 a.m., for the Taiwanese guests it was midnight.

“We’re no longer living in isolation, we’re all globally connected, right? And so we’re doing our best here, I think at Minnesota State to make sure that we’re preparing students who are capable of engaging with that future engaging with that reality,” MSU Dean of Global Education Doctor William Coghill-Behrends said.

The meeting’s purpose was to formalize a long-standing agreement between the two institution.

“Including student exchange faculty exchange opportunities for collaborative research, all in the good of promoting global citizenship,” Dr. Coghill-Behrends said.

The program allows students and faculty to learn about US and Taiwanese cultures by attending the universities and immersing themselves within the communities.

“We are excited about how about the future cooperation that we can send every year we can send four students to here to study the culture and the diversity of Minnesota State,” NKNU Dean of the Office of International Affairs Doctor Chen-Cheng Chun said.

Students and faculty will have different options of study, but with a heavy focus on language and teaching.

“Because we understand that learning a language is not just about the language, but it’s also about learning the culture, right, learning about the communities and again, fostering sort of that global connection, that global conversation,” Dr. Coghill-Behrends said.

The exchange is similar to a study abroad program.

“You will experience lots of the different things in terms of like food, and making maybe like a walk-in temple and the way how people dress and also the weather differences,” Dr. Chun said.

The program has not been finalized, but MSU says it should be ready within the next few semesters.

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