During my exchange program at the University of Malaya, by chance I took two courses taught by this Dr. Although I was not a particularly outstanding student, I always paid attention in class and tried my best to keep up. I participated more actively in tutorial, asked questions and shared my opinion, and discussed topics that interested me with the Dr. after class.

Several of us exchange students often say that this course is quite challenging, and the reading, discussions, and homework are all quite stressful. However, the Dr. always encouraged us not only to work hard in our studies, but also to make the most of our time in Malaysia, explore this multicultural land, and even travel to neighboring countries to broaden our horizons. She always listened to our travel stories enthusiastically and gave warm and positive feedback.

This photo was taken after the final exam. The Dr. invited me to her office to chat. I then learned that she had been teaching at the University of Malaya for twenty years and was about to retire. What impressed me even more was that even though she taught five courses during the semester, she still clearly remembered the topics and ideas in each of our student essays. When we parted, Dr. gave me a book she had written and wrote: "For Leo: Enjoy discovering the various ethnics and people of SEA! Best wishes." We took a picture in front of her office to record this unforgettable fate. Even though I have returned to Taiwan now, we keep in touch. This cross-cultural learning experience not only enriched my horizons but also made me cherish the inspiration and encouragement I received in different educational environments. I hope we can meet again one day in the future.

This photo was taken during my study abroad experience in Kagoshima, Japan. It’s a picture of me with my teacher. I’m from Taiwan and currently studying at Shigakukan University. It has been three weeks since I arrived, and I’m gradually getting used to the pace of life and studies here.
In the photo, I’m the one on the right, and on the left is my deeply respected teacher—Professor Jin. Professor Jin teaches the course “Introduction to Chinese Literature” at this university and is also in charge of matters related to international students.
Since the preparation stage before coming to Japan, Professor Jin has provided us with tremendous support. Whether it was communication with the school, assistance with paperwork, or explanations and guidance on language and culture, the professor patiently helped us through everything, allowing me to set off on this journey to study abroad with peace of mind.
On the day we arrived in Kagoshima, Professor Jin personally took us to our dormitories and helped us take care of various daily life matters, which was an incredible relief and support for us newcomers.
Academically, Professor Jin’s teaching is both clear and passionate, which has deepened my understanding of and interest in Chinese literature. In class, the professor not only explains the content of literary works but also delves into their historical and cultural context, allowing us to appreciate and reflect on them from multiple perspectives. After class, the professor is always willing to spend time answering our questions and offering additional advice.
This photo was taken in Professor Jin’s office, in front of the bookshelf. We each picked out a book we liked from the shelf. I’m holding a book titled *Chinese Literature and Japan*. I hope to follow in Professor Jin’s footsteps and gain insight into Japan through the Chinese literature we’re familiar with.
Through this photo, I wanted to capture this precious time full of learning and growth, and also express my heartfelt gratitude to Professor Jin. In the days ahead, I will continue to work hard and treasure every moment in Japan, living up to the expectations and guidance of my teachers.

After successfully securing a spot in the exchange program, my fellow classmates who were also going to UNCP (University of North Carolina at Pembroke) and I began contacting the school intensively. Our main point of contact at the time was Ms. Rosa Ball, the teacher shown in the photo. It took an incredible amount of effort to finally obtain our visas and arrive in the United States. When we finally met her in person, we truly felt how difficult the journey had been—she even told us that she had started to think we wouldn’t make it.

After arriving in the U.S., we learned that Ms. Ball worked in UNCP’s Office of Global Engagement and was responsible for supporting exchange students like us. She helped us navigate all kinds of issues in our daily lives. Having spent some time living in Cambodia, she was especially considerate and understanding toward Asian students.

During Lunar New Year, she invited us—students from Taiwan and Korea—to her home for hotpot and a traditional New Year’s dinner. Her warm hospitality made us feel at home even while abroad. We also actively participated in most events hosted by the Office of Global Engagement, and she would often ask us where we’d like to go, then help arrange trips accordingly.

This photo was taken at the Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Raleigh, North Carolina, during one of those memorable outings.

This mentor from Pakistan is not only knowledgeable but also a warm guide like the spring breeze. In his text analysis class, I gained far more than just knowledge. When I first arrived in the unfamiliar land of Turkey, I was like a lost lamb, but he became my most solid support.
When I knew nothing about the campus environment, he patiently guided me—which office could solve what problems, and how to find shortcuts in the methodical pace of Turkish bureaucracy. He even personally wrote to the administration department to save me time, allowing me to obtain necessary documents more quickly.
When I was just recovering from food poisoning, the teacher specially came to check on me; after class, he would always inquire about my learning progress and often brought fruits to share with me. Although we come from different countries, we met in this foreign land, communicated in non-native languages, and formed a deep friendship that transcends age.
Before parting, he earnestly told me: No matter where I am or what difficulties I encounter, as long as it's within his ability, I can always turn to him for help. Now, although we are at opposite ends of the earth, I firmly believe that one day, we will meet again, share a drink, and reminisce about every moment of this teacher-student relationship.

1. The photo below was taken at a farewell party that my professors and British friends specially organized for me before I returned to Taiwan.
2. The photo in the middle was taken when I was chosen as the student representative. My professor, who was very supportive and always looked out for me, took the picture with me.
3. The photo at the top was taken on Halloween, when our professor came to class wearing a pumpkin mask.

This photo was taken during the last class of my "Educational Theory and Institutions" course at UCAM. Standing to my left is the professor of the course—she has always been incredibly kind and patient. At the beginning, I had some difficulty keeping up due to the language barrier, so she thoughtfully arranged for two classmates to support me. They are standing on either side of us. I’m truly grateful for all the help they gave me in class!

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”
—— John Dewey

Professor Marcin Cziomer

My Korean teacher is very lively and kind. Even after class, she still patiently explains grammar problems to me. She is my most grateful and favorite teacher during the exchange!

During my year of exchange in France, meeting this French literature professor was an incredibly valuable experience in my learning journey. When I first entered the B2 class, my French skills were still immature. However, determined to challenge myself, I chose the more difficult B2/C1 courses, especially in the field of French literature—a subject I was interested in but had no foundation in. This made me both excited and nervous.

Knowing that we lacked the necessary background, the professor took special care of us students. In class, he explained archaic words from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century one by one and provided modern synonyms to help us fully understand the meaning. His patience and professionalism gave me great confidence in learning.

In class, we were required to write literary critiques on French literary works. For example, Louise Labé’s sonnets posed a significant challenge for us. Step by step, the professor guided us on how to draft a plan, analyze the text, and finally write an essay. Thanks to his instruction, I gradually learned to read nineteenth-century literature and write analyses in French, which gave me immense satisfaction.

At first, I couldn’t understand the historical background and literary terminology explained by the professor. Now, I am able to smoothly analyze paintings and literary questions presented in class. I can clearly feel my progress and growth. This learning journey not only improved my French but also deepened my love for French literature.

I sincerely thank this professor for patiently guiding me into the realm of literature despite my lack of foundation. His teaching and companionship this year will remain one of the most unforgettable and precious memories of my life.

I am an exchange student from Taiwan currently studying at Shigakkan University in Kagoshima. When I first arrived in this foreign land, I inevitably felt uneasy due to the different language, culture, and unfamiliar environment. However, everything changed after I met this English teacher whom I deeply respect and who is very kind.

This photo is a picture of me and the teacher, taken during an after-class conversation. The teacher has always been very attentive to my learning progress. Knowing that I am an international student, he has given me special care in class. After each lesson, he would proactively ask if there was anything I didn’t understand, and patiently explain it to me in simple Japanese. His every act of concern has made me feel very warm, as if there is a force making me feel less lonely in this foreign land.

The teacher’s teaching method is also very considerate. Whenever I encounter something I don’t understand, he not only patiently explains it but also helps me grasp it quickly in an easy-to-understand manner. This has allowed me to integrate into the class more smoothly and has given me more confidence in my studies. I truly appreciate his efforts, and it is a great blessing for me to meet such a caring and patient teacher.

This experience has made me cherish every learning opportunity more and has motivated me to continue growing in the days ahead.

This photo captures our interaction outside of class and symbolizes the wonderful memories of my exchange student life, reminding me of the warmth and support the teacher has given me, which I will never forget.