Ting-En Chang, a senior student in the Department of Applied Foreign Languages at Taiwan Tech, was selected last year (2025) for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ International Youth Ambassador Exchange Program. She represented Taiwan in Hawaii, the Marshall Islands, and Guam, promoting Taiwan's national image and facilitating cultural exchanges. Since its launch in 2009, the program has cultivated more than 1,900 outstanding university students to serve as International Youth Ambassadors, introducing Taiwan to the global community through a youth perspective and deepening mutual exchange and understanding between Taiwan and other countries.
Youth ambassadors exchange cultures with Marshallese high school students by sharing snacks; Ting-En Chang is first from the right.
Reflecting on her overseas experience, Ting-En Chang stated that the role of a youth ambassador is not merely a demonstration of language proficiency, but also a rigorous test of cultural sensitivity and adaptability. She noted that during forum exchanges held in Guam, she gained in-depth exposure to issues such as policies that compensate Indigenous peoples and maritime security, which enabled her to develop a deeper understanding of the circumstances faced by different communities across diverse historical contexts. As a student in a teacher education program, she was prompted to reflect on her future responsibilities as an educator, hoping to guide students to more actively understand Indigenous issues and, in turn, influence how society views Indigenous cultures and histories.
Ting-En Chang raises a question to officials at the Parliament of the Marshall Islands.
The selection process for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Youth Ambassador Program is highly competitive. Last year, a total of 680 students applied, undergoing document review, interviews, and multiple stages of evaluation, with only 40 candidates ultimately selected. Speaking about the interview process, Ting-En Chang laughed as she recalled bringing a bottle of soy sauce into the interview room. During the all-English interview, she introduced herself with a Taiwanese saying, “Oo-kan-á té tāu-iû”, meaning “soy sauce stored in a black jar,” symbolizing her low-key appearance paired with rich inner substance, a creative touch that left a strong impression on the panel.
Group photo from the University of Guam student forum; Ting-En Chang is second from the right.
During the official visit, the 11-day itinerary was intensive and full of uncertainties. From public presentations and cultural performances to on-the-spot interactions, every moment represented Taiwan’s national image. Ting-En Chang shared that youth ambassadors are not simply visitors on a learning trip, but frontline diplomatic practitioners who must be ready to perform at any moment. Even when physically and mentally exhausted, they are required to maintain professionalism and a warm smile at all times, allowing them to truly appreciate the challenges faced by those working in frontline diplomacy.
Ting-En Chang shares the current state of Indigenous education in Taiwan at a forum at the University of Guam.
She also shared that during the training period, being surrounded by outstanding youth from diverse fields once led her to question her own position and values. Having previously been accustomed to standing at center stage and receiving applause, she chose to shift her role and take on behind-the-scenes support work. Before the overseas visit, she adjusted her mindset and proactively served as the team photographer, contributing to the group and its mission in a different yet meaningful way.
When offering advice to junior students, Ting-En Chang emphasized that beyond solid English proficiency, what matters more is a deep understanding of the essence of cultural exchange and a strong sense of identification with Taiwan. Drawing from her own experience, she shared that she participated in Taiwan Tech’s University Social Responsibility (USR) projects for three years, completed an educational internship in Germany, and joined the Ministry of Education’s “Dream Building Abroad” program for a short-term internship in the United States. Through frequent participation and observation across cultures, she gradually developed reflection on and identification with her own cultural position, and these experiences became a crucial foundation for confidently introducing Taiwan on international stages.
International Youth Ambassadors meet with the President on January 26; Ting-En Chang is second from the left in the second row (photo courtesy of the Office of the President).