A series of orientation activities kicked off for the 9^th Summer Institute in Taiwan (SIT) on June 23^rd, 2008. SIT is an exchange program for American and Canadian and Taiwanese graduate students. This year, thirty-three top graduate students from the two North American countries were greeted by Tsing Hua's warm hospitality before heading off to their respective institute for research on June 27^th.

The orientation featured week-long activities from courses on basic Chinese, the art of calligraphy, Hakka culture and Taiwanese snacks to field trips to the Taipei 101 building and National Palace Museum. All activities were carefully planned by the student organizers, who despite the pressing final exams delivered a fantastic program.

Head convener Li Zhi-yu, an information engineering undergraduate, saw SIT as an opportunity for Tsing Hua students to interact with outstanding graduate students from universities in the United States and Canada. The program offers a chance to improve English, learn from the foreign students’ professional experiences and even meet new friends.

Information engineering graduate student Xue Zhi-xiang has participated in the program four times, beginning from a general staffer, convener to consultant. He said interactions with foreign students from different fields can spark insights including a new look at Taiwanese culture, for instance, Adam who studies the Tapenkeng culture made them realize that it is an important field in the international community, thereby renewing their perception of their own country. In addition to academic exchanges, Xue Zhi-xiang further pointed out that people are the main focus in SIT activities. Staffers and students have progressed from strangers, acquaintances to friends by the end of the program.