Hironmoy Boruah, Snigdha Sarkar, Teisovinuo Pienyu and Vimenuo Lhoungu from Northeast India have recently received 2024 Huayu Enrichment Scholarship from Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and will go to Taiwan for a study trip of 3 months to 9 months respectively.
These scholarship awardees have started their Mandarin learning journey at Taiwan Education Center at Assam Don Bosco University, which is the only institution in the Northeast providing Mandarin courses delivered by a native Taiwan lecturer.
In March 2024, they sat a standardized Mandarin Proficiency Test –TOCFL (Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language), and received their certificate from Taiwan’s Ministry of Education, which made them qualified candidates for Huayu Enrichment Scholarship.
To encourage Indian students to learn Taiwan’s language and culture, and to boost mutual understanding and interactions between the two countries, Taiwan government provides Huayu Enrichment Scholarship, among others, to Indian learners every year. The scholarship awardees will receive a monthly stipend of 25,000 NTD (approximate Rs. 65,447) for their stay in Taiwan. With the recommendation of their Mandarin teacher Kuei-Mi LI, these four learners received this prestigious scholarship.
Hironmoy Boruah, an alumna of ADBU, reflecting on his Mandarin learning journey said, he wanted to learn Mandarin out of personal interest and professional aspirations: “Mandarin is a critical language in the global economy, and gaining proficiency opens up numerous opportunities for career advancement and cross-cultural communication.” And thanks to ADBU’s support and resources, he was able to learn Mandarin and eventually earned this scholarship to further his language study in Taiwan.
In the Mandarin classes, he has learned to “speak and understand basic Mandarin conversations, which has been incredibly rewarding. Additionally, I have gained a deeper understanding of Taiwanese and Chinese culture, which has enriched my learning experience.”
He found what he has learned in Mandarin class “has proven to be extremely useful. Knowing Mandarin is incredibly helpful as it opens up a wide range of job opportunities, especially in today’s globalised world. Many companies seek individuals who can bridge the language gap and facilitate smoother business operations in Mandarin-speaking regions such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, etc. In fact, I recently received a job offer from a Hong Kong-based company, largely due to my proficiency in Mandarin. This language skill has not only enhanced my career prospects but also broadened my cultural understanding and communication abilities.”
He was “overwhelmed with joy” when he learned that he was selected for the scholarship. “I’m excited for what it holds for me in the future, as it promises to be an enriching and transformative experience in Taiwan. This opportunity will not only improve my language skills but also broaden my horizons and enrich my life experiences,” he said.
Encouraged by his learning experience, Boruah plans to “pursue a career that leverages my language skills in international business, diplomacy, or cultural exchange. I believe that Mandarin will be a significant asset in building strong professional relationships and facilitating cross-cultural communication. The possibilities are vast, and I am excited about the potential pathways this proficiency will create for me.”
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He also expresses his gratitude towards his Mandarin teacher Kuei-Mi LI who has been instrumental in their learning journey. “Her dedication and support have been invaluable, helping us grow and achieve our goals. Thank you for making this experience enriching and enjoyable,” he said.
The author teaches Mandarin at Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati, Assam, India.
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