由華府FASCA DC和臺頑青少年基金會(MGY)以及臺北市立松山高級商業家事職業學校合作為期一年的「臺美國際學伴活動」於本週末進行本學年度最後一次的線上國際學伴活動。

有鑑於本次活動為本學年度最後一次線上交流，臺美青年各自卯足全力，盡可能的分享自身經驗，努力實踐國際交流的精神。繼上次臺美青年熱烈討論夯劇「黑暗榮耀」分享雙方關於校園霸凌看法，本次主題更多元也更貼近學生的日常生活。

臺灣部分由應用英語科老師徐于婷帶領一年級約65位學生分享各自的社團生活以及休閒娛樂，更親自設計一日臺灣遊的行程；美東部分則由FASCA DC 學員Claire Wu進行活動主導，並由諮詢老師李欣怡統籌活動規劃輔導，分享「如果我是百萬富翁，暑假可以做甚麼?」

兩國青年除了分享各自的社團活動，瞭解彼此喜好，也瞭解到臺美兩地的社團不同。臺灣學生江學穎表示他們與美國學生分享臺灣的學校社團，並展現跳舞、吉他等才藝。也覺得美國的社團很豐富，而且有很多都是戶外的活動，跟臺灣的社團真的大不相同。臺灣學生在分享會中表演才藝，於線上呈現國際交流的精神，打破時間及空間的限制。

臺灣學生也親自規畫一日臺灣遊行程供美國青年作為暑期來臺的參考。臺灣學生吳宜芯表示：「我們這組推薦花蓮，因為花蓮不僅景色好、文化豐富，還可以讓美國青年接觸到臺灣原住民的習俗。」

另一方面，臺灣學生鄭詩琪則認為小巨蛋滑冰、大稻埕景點及寧夏夜市等都是來臺灣必玩的景點。在大稻埕可以了解到臺灣早期文化發展並且品嘗各種美食。而寧夏夜市更能體驗臺灣夜市的文化。

第二階段，臺美青年各自分享自身的百萬富翁夢，臺灣學生有想買房子給家人住、環遊世界、以及幫助需要幫助的人，與美國青年的百萬富翁夢想不謀而合。透過這次活動，臺美兩國青年更瞭解兩地文化的不同，臺灣學生更是期待，如果美國青年暑期有機會來臺，一定會親自帶領美國青年走過他們推薦的行程，讓雙方都留下美好回憶。

臺灣學生吳宜芯表示：「在這一年的線上，我們跟美國學生交流，從一開始的膽怯，到後來的交談流利，用輕鬆的氣氛去講英文。兩個不同國家的人也可以互相分享自己的生活、校園、文化等等，我覺得是件難得的事情，所以我們都很珍惜每次的線上交流時間。」經過這一年的線上國際交流，相信對於臺美兩地的青年，都更能瞭解東西方文化的差異，並學會尊重及欣賞各自的不同，更重要的是，增進彼此的語言溝通能力，一起互相成長。

• 僑務電子報報導

The year-long "Taiwan-US International Study Buddy Program," a collaboration between FASCA DC (Washington D.C.), the MGY Foundation, and Taipei Municipal Songshan High School of Commerce and Home Economics, held its final online exchange session of the academic year this past weekend.

As this was the final online interaction of the school year, youth from both Taiwan and the U.S. gave their full effort, sharing their personal experiences to the fullest and putting the spirit of international exchange into practice. Following their previous heated discussion on the hit series The Glory—where they shared views on school bullying—this session's themes were even more diverse and closely tied to the students' daily lives.

On the Taiwan side, teacher Hsu Yu-ting from the Department of Applied English led approximately 65 freshman students in sharing their club lives and leisure activities, even personally designing "One-Day Taiwan Trip" itineraries. On the U.S. East Coast side, FASCA DC student Claire Wu led the activities under the guidance and planning of mentor Li Hsin-yi. Their topic focused on the creative prompt: "If I were a millionaire, what would I do for summer vacation?"

In addition to sharing their respective club activities and hobbies, the youth from both nations discovered the differences between club cultures in Taiwan and the U.S. Taiwanese student Chiang Hsueh-ying noted that they shared their school clubs with the American students through performances like dancing and guitar. She observed that American clubs are very diverse and often involve outdoor activities, which differs significantly from the club experience in Taiwan. By performing talents during the session, the Taiwanese students demonstrated the spirit of international exchange, breaking the limitations of time and space.

The Taiwanese students also personally planned one-day itineraries to serve as a reference for the American youth should they visit Taiwan in the summer. Student Wu Yi-hsin said, "Our group recommended Hualien because it not only has beautiful scenery and a rich culture but also allows American youth to experience the customs of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples."

On the other hand, student Cheng Shih-chi suggested that ice skating at the Taipei Arena, visiting Dadaocheng, and exploring the Ningxia Night Market are "must-visit" attractions. She explained that Dadaocheng offers a glimpse into Taiwan’s early cultural development and a variety of delicacies, while the Ningxia Night Market provides a quintessential experience of Taiwan’s night market culture.

In the second phase of the event, the youth shared their "millionaire dreams." The Taiwanese students' goals—such as buying houses for their families, traveling the world, and helping those in need—coincided perfectly with the dreams of their American counterparts. Through this activity, the youth gained a deeper understanding of cultural differences. The Taiwanese students expressed their hope that if the American students visit Taiwan this summer, they can personally lead them through these recommended routes to create beautiful memories together.

Reflecting on the year, Wu Yi-hsin remarked: "Throughout this year of online exchange, we went from being timid at the start to speaking English fluently and comfortably. It is a rare and precious thing for people from two different countries to share their lives, schools, and cultures, and we cherished every online session." After a year of international exchange, it is believed that youth from both regions have gained a better understanding of the differences between Eastern and Western cultures, learned to respect and appreciate diversity, and, most importantly, improved their language and communication skills while growing together.

• OCAC News