Experiential Cross Cultural Service Learning: Taiwan
LING 340
Led by Dr. Ching-Hsuan Wu
Make a difference while exploring Taipei and Kaohsiung, Taiwan through an international service-learning experience.
Designed for students who learn best by doing, it begins with three on-campus orientation seminars that prepare students to participate thoughtfully in an international service-learning experience. During spring break, students work alongside local community partners in Taiwan on projects that address community-identified needs. Service opportunities may include supporting educational initiatives in rural schools and volunteering with organizations such as Animals Taiwan. Students develop practical language skills through daily lessons, meaningful interactions with local communities, and hands-on service.
Learning extends well beyond the classroom. Students engage directly with Taiwanese communities while exploring the country’s language, history, culture, and everyday life. Through service and reflection, they develop empathy, intercultural competence, and confidence in collaborating across cultural boundaries. Students put their education into practice by partnering with local communities, supporting educational initiatives, and contributing to social good. No previous study of Mandarin Chinese or Taiwanese is needed to participate.
Counts as a CAS Local and Global Engagement course and Understanding Global Perspectives course.
Prerequisite Requirements: Instructor consent required; no prerequisite coursework
Estimated Cost: $2,495. Participants will receive a $1,500 scholarship from the Eirik Børve Fund for Foreign Language Instruction, reducing the listed program fee from $3,995.
Contact: Dr. Ching-Hsuan Wu, Section Head of Chinese, Eirik Børve Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics
Case Western Reserve University
Department of Modern Languages & Literatures
ching-hsuan.wu@case.edu