What a long time coming since the last invitation for TACL to visit Taiwan by the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC)! Sadly, TACL has not had an opportunity to coordinate for a trip since 2019 due to the pandemic. Majority of the attendees on this trip from TACL, TAP, LYF, and LID have only heard of the trip through fond memories and stories from alumni members in previous years. Keep reading below to see how the week of #TACLfam adventures unfolded from December 3rd to December 9th 2023!
The trip kicked off with an exchange of gifts between TACL and OCAC as well as the Tourism Administration within the Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MOTC). This heartwarming moment set the tone for the rest of the week. Everything was perfectly planned by OCAC to allow the delegation to discover new parts of Taiwan!
One of the main purposes of the delegation was to gain a deeper understanding of Taiwanese industries and their incredible contributions to Taiwan and the world. The week started off with an insightful lecture on Taiwan’s leadership within the semiconductor and 5G technologies industries, followed by tours of the Taiwanese Association for Virtual and Augmented Reality (TAVAR), Taipei Brewery, Kavalan Whiskey distillery, China Airlines, and Pacific Cycles. Finally, OCAC arranged for two Taiwanese entrepreneurs to share their life experiences.
With plenty of opportunities that showcased the gems of Taiwan and the rich history and culture of Taiwan, the members were taken on a tour of Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, Dadaocheng, Toucheng Leisure Farm, and Taipei Music Center. These experiences allowed the members to feel connected and appreciative while reflecting on the history and culture of these trips.
As anyone who has been to Taiwan may know, no trip is complete without the amazing food scene that Taiwan has to offer. OCAC arranged a wide variety of Taiwanese delicacies throughout the week with banquets, restaurant visits, and night markets.
As the group continued to explore various parts of Taiwan, the activities didn’t stop in the evenings. This included discussions from Jonathan Liao about the Gold Card Program, Eric Tsai from Taiwan+ about Taiwan election history, exploration of Taiwan’s vibrant nightlife, and last but not least, a meet-up with local alumni at the TAP Taipei Happy Hour.
This trip was an unforgettable bonding opportunity where the members made new friendships, tightened existing ones, and formed cherished memories. Additionally, TACL continued to strengthen the relationship with OCAC and was truly grateful for this opportunity. This trip was truly incredible for TACL, TAP, LID, and LYF to experience. Looking forward to future opportunities to spend more time on the beautiful island of Taiwan!