▎GLOBAL OUTLOOK

In January 2025, National Taiwan University (NTU) offered a diverse palette of immersive international traineeships, reaffirming its commitment to global engagement. These programs, which span cultures and industries, provided students with transformative experiences that bridged their classroom learning with real-world practice.

Awaji Island: Revitalizing a Timeless Japanese Community

In partnership with PASONA, the “2025 Awaji: Revitalizing a Timeless Island Traineeship” brought NTU students to Awaji Island, Japan, to explore proposed strategies for regional revitalization. The students conducted hands-on agricultural work, field studies, and discussions with local university students, experiencing firsthand an innovative blend of community-building, sustainability, and traditional Japanese values. The program deepened the students’ cross-cultural understanding while offering them precious hands-on experience of grassroots approaches to rural regeneration.

Paris: Inside the World of Haute Couture and Luxury Innovation

Meanwhile, the “Paris: The Key to Luxury Industry Traineeship,” a collaboration with L’adresse Paris, granted the NTU students exclusive access to Paris Fashion Week as well as exposure to the inner workings of the luxury industry. The participants had precious opportunities to explore brand storytelling, fashion house operations, and high-end consumer engagement. In particular, site visits to iconic fashion institutions and cultural landmarks provided the students with an overview of the French luxury ecosystem, blending heritage with innovation.

Tokyo: Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow

NTU also partnered with Water Mirror to hold the “Tokyo: Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow” traineeship. The participating students examined the fusion of legacy businesses and tech-driven startups in Japan’s capital, meeting with entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, touring innovation centers, and immersing themselves in Japanese traditions, such as the tea ceremony. The program offered them rare insights into Japan’s entrepreneurial spirit and evolving business culture.

These three “January 2025” programs—in Awaji, Paris, and Tokyo—illustrate NTU’s visionary intension to empower students through cross-cultural, interdisciplinary, experiential learning. Looking ahead, NTU is expanding its global portfolio, with upcoming traineeships already planned for Cape Town, Prague, and additional sites across Japan.