On July 8, 2025, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Houston hosted the Awards Ceremony and Orientation for the 2025 Ministry of Education (MOE) Taiwan Scholarship and Huayu Enrichment Scholarship, along with the Annual Meeting of the Taiwan Alumni Association (TAA). More than 50 attendees, including scholarship recipients, their families, and alumni from Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas, gathered to celebrate and share heartfelt, inspiring stories from their experiences in Taiwan.
Andrea Yang, Director of the Education Division, TECO in Houston, opened the event by providing a detailed briefing on scholarship regulations, practical tips for living in Taiwan, useful websites, and emergency contact information. An interactive quiz with prizes was also held to help students better understand Taiwan’s education system and support resources.
Yvonne Hsiao, the Director General of TECO in Houston congratulated the scholarship recipients and encouraged them to “Succeed with Taiwan,” urging students to see Taiwan as the starting point of their international journey in her remarks. She praised the alumni for their continued dedication in strengthening Taiwan–U.S. relations and presented certificates to each new scholarship recipient in a warm, celebratory atmosphere.
Former Texas State Representative Mr. Jacey Jetton also attended the event to express his appreciation for Taiwan’s scholarship programs, which promote multicultural exchange and support the professional and global development of young talent. In his speech, he encouraged all students to pursue their dreams courageously and engage deeply with their learning experiences. He also took time to speak individually with scholarship recipients and alumni, offering heartfelt encouragement.
This year’s scholarship cohort includes many outstanding individuals. Allan Solomon, who will begin a Ph.D. in Mandarin as a Second Language, and Margaret Rodriguez, who is pursuing a doctorate in Translation and Interpretation, are among them. Dr. Brian Molanphy, Chair of the Art Department at Southern Methodist University, will spend his sabbatical in Taiwan studying Mandarin and collaborating on artistic projects. Novelist Stefany Ramirez, who was separated from her birth mother as a child and reunited with her in Taiwan after 30 years, shared the emotional inspiration behind her novel First Love Language. She has taken a six-month leave from her work and family to reconnect with her roots and learn her mother’s native tongue. Her moving story brought many in the audience to tears.
Heath Holludun, a 2024 Huayu Enrichment Scholarship recipient and now a Taiwan Scholarship awardee, humorously shared that his initial motivation to learn Mandarin came from his Bunun wife’s playful warning: “No Mandarin, no marriage.” What began as a necessity soon turned into a deep love for Taiwan’s culture, especially its tea and Indigenous traditions. He described Taiwan as a land full of opportunity and expressed his gratitude for the chance to continue his academic pursuits in such a dynamic environment.
TAA President Alissa Guerrero and other alumni also shared their study and life experiences in Taiwan through both in-person and virtual sessions. They warmly welcomed the new scholars to the alumni network and encouraged them to actively participate in promoting study-in-Taiwan opportunities and fostering mutual support and collaboration.
During the lunch reception, attendees enjoyed Taiwanese-style popcorn chicken, fried tempura, bubble tea, and pineapple cakes, offering the new students a delicious first taste of Taiwan. The authentic flavors not only impressed the newcomers and their families but also brought back fond memories for the alumni of their time in Taiwan.
Since 2004, the Ministry of Education has offered the Taiwan Scholarship and Huayu Enrichment Scholarship to encourage outstanding international students to pursue academic degrees and Mandarin language studies in Taiwan. These exceptional recipients gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s educational system, engage with local students in meaningful cultural and academic exchanges, and broaden their global perspectives. After graduation, they go on to serve as bridges between Taiwan and the world, helping to attract even more talented students to Taiwan and becoming true ambassadors of Taiwan's education abroad.