Talent Development Program Overseas
An experiential learning for the indigenous youths of Taiwan – from language, skills, to internationalism…
From the beginning of its involvement in the East Coast of Taiwan, The Alliance Cultural Foundation (ACF) has dreamed to not only create positive sustainable growth in the region, but to introduce Taiwan’s rich indigenous culture internationally; education, and educating the youth is key. ACF’s overseas talent development program, in collaboration with Hawaii Tourism Authority and WISH Communication, offers a full scholarship to selected candidates of the indigenous origin to study at Brigham Young University (BYU) whilst interning at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC). The study program aims to develop a skill for the student to eventually bring back to their villages to re-teach other indigenous youths, and the internship program aims to offer experiential learning in sharing tribal arts and culture. Through its overseas talent development program, ACF dreams to expand the youth’s horizons, and to develop them into internationalized individuals.
BYU and PCC, located on the indigenous rich island of Hawaii, is an ideal learning platform and environment for Taiwan’s indigenous youths to be inspired on how they can create a positive cultural experience for visitors traveling to their villages. PCC, owned by BYU, is a Polynesian-themed theme park and living museum, where two-thirds of its employees are students of the university. It was established to provide employment and scholarships for students at BYU, and to preserve the Polynesian culture. Its activities include the multicultural Polynesian show – Ha-Breath of Life, Imax theatre, canoe rides, parades showcasing signature dances from each culture, and much more. Additionally, each Polynesian culture has its own area, with individual performances and cultural learning; with villages of Hawaii, Samoa, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga, the Marquesas Islands, as well as a special exhibit dedicated to Easter Island.
In 2013, ACF selected its first candidate, Kwali, Chief of the Bulao Buluo aboriginal village (不老部落) in Yilan, Taiwan, to partake in its overseas talent development program. The Bulao Buluo aboriginal village is a place where visitors can experience a day of village life. During his overseas study and internship, he participated in management-level meetings – observing PCC’s management strategies, goals, and problems being resolved on-site. His learning varied from marketing, catering, financing, to scheduling activities. From his experience, he gained communication skills. Kwali also took the initiative to be certified from the FranklinCovey 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Signature Program, Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED, Red Cross Water Safely Instructor, and Red Cross Lifeguard. Because many of the youths from the Bulao Buluo village did not go to school, after Kwali’s return, he established an in-tribe learning program, in hopes to open doors to a better future.
In January 2015, ACF sent its second candidate, Monica Tung, to embark on the overseas development journey. Monica, once an ACF Huatung English Camp volunteer and camp leader, is a fresh university graduate. After her graduation, she gained practical experience working at ACF, developing and taking tour groups on Huatung (Hualien/Taitung) slow travel tours, working in Junyi School for Innovative Learning, and even spending one month interning in Kwali’s aboriginal village. Monica believes that volunteering is not about giving or helping others, but rather, it is to share with one another. Her positive energy and spirit made her an ideal candidate for the program. Monica is passionate in education and tourism, and dreams to return to the villages to share her experiences. From the program she hopes to find inspiration in combining English education with cultural tourism.
Statistics show that 70 to 80 percent of aboriginal youths in Taiwan do not have plans to pursue university; and with many leaving their tribes for higher income, often causing skip generation upbringing, and a lack of village youths staying in the tribe. At the PCC, for every 100 students, only 20 will continue working there; and while 80 will leave, through PCC’s experience, though a majority of students do not continue a career at the center, when they leave, they still spread positive seeds, sharing their experiences of working in the cultural center, which in turn, attracts more youths to work there, creating a positive cycle. ACF hopes to create a similar cycle for Taiwan.
ACF has faith that its overseas development programs will enable candidates to bring acquired knowledge back to their villages, and cultivate more ideas which can develop sustainable growth in their villages.
ACF has faith that its overseas development programs will enable candidates to bring acquired knowledge back to their villages, and cultivate more ideas which can develop sustainable growth in their villages.
