The International College of Innovation (ICI) held the “ICI Student Lecture 2025” on November 3 at Room 301, International Building, inviting two senior students to share their experiences of learning and growth across cultures — Adneissa Christy Alezy from Haiti and Diana (魏彤芸) from Taiwan.
Through their stories, the two speakers embodied the spirit of “Students Without Borders,” demonstrating how ICI students face challenges and create meaningful impact both locally and globally with openness and initiative.
The first speaker, Adneissa Christy Alezy, delivered a talk titled “Students Without Borders: The Power of Students as Global Citizens.” Starting from her own cultural background, she introduced the history, language, and traditions of Haiti, while engaging the audience with an interactive cultural quiz that connected students from diverse backgrounds.
Centering on the theme of being a “student as a global citizen,” Adneissa shared her journey from Haiti to Taiwan and the cultural shocks she encountered — from queuing culture and quiet communication styles to surprising food differences.
She recounted with humor how, during her early days in Taiwan, she once bought a red bean ice pop at a supermarket, mistaking it for strawberry flavor. “I took one bite and realized — the beans are sweet! I couldn’t believe it,” she laughed, adding that she eventually gave the whole box to her roommate. The story became one of her most memorable cultural surprises and filled the room with laughter.
Adneissa also shared her experiences learning Mandarin, building friendships, and joining international competitions. As a member of the 2024 NCCU Hult Prize winning team, she and her peers developed MOMentum — a social initiative designed to help single mothers use their skills to generate income. “We lost a campus startup contest the day before,” she recalled, “but the next day, we won the Hult Prize at NCCU. That taught me what it truly means to never give up.” She encouraged her peers to embody the Students Without Borders spirit through action, adaptability, and community engagement.
The second speaker, Diana, delivered a talk titled “Sole Serendipity: Exchange Experience in Switzerland,” sharing insights from her one-year exchange study and travels in Switzerland. Using an interactive chart, she invited the audience to explore topics such as “budget management,” “safe travel,” “academic challenges,” “cross-cultural friendships,” and “long-distance relationships.” The session was both engaging and practical, vividly portraying the diverse experiences of studying abroad.
Diana noted that the high cost of living and cultural differences in Switzerland were initially stressful, but they also taught her independence and financial management. To prepare for her exchange, she saved through part-time work and scholarships, and later relied on local transport passes and food waste reduction apps to cut daily expenses—gradually building her own rhythm and balance of life abroad.
When discussing her travels, Diana shared that she visited more than 26 European countries during her exchange. From the Alps to Prague, each journey allowed her to experience the beauty and complexity of different cultures. She reminded students planning to study or travel in Europe to be mindful of personal safety, recommending that female travelers carry small locks or anti-theft bags—staying alert while maintaining openness and cultural curiosity.
Beyond academics and travel, she also spoke candidly about the feelings of loneliness and cultural adjustment she faced abroad. “When you truly live in another country, you come to understand the courage and effort of international students in Taiwan,” she said. “I deeply admire those who step beyond their comfort zones.” Through these experiences, she gained greater confidence and learned to approach differences with empathy and respect.
In her academic journey, Diana experienced first-hand the distinctions between European and Taiwanese educational systems and teaching methods. She encouraged her peers to embrace interdisciplinary learning, emphasizing that “growth often comes from trying and failing rather than from grades,” and urged students to approach the unknown with openness and curiosity.
The lecture showcased ICI students’ global perspectives and intercultural competence, echoing the college’s educational values of “Interdisciplinarity, International Vision, and Action.”
ICI hopes that both international students studying in Taiwan and local students preparing to study abroad will continue to embrace openness and initiative — expanding their horizons, connecting across cultures, and growing through the journey of global learning.
Speakers Diana (left) and Adneissa Christy Alezy (right) pose for a photo together after the lecture. (Photo credit: ICI)
Speaker Adneissa Christy Alezy introduces the history, language, and traditional festivals of Haiti, and shares cultural differences between Haiti and Taiwan. (Photo credit: ICI)
Speaker Adneissa Christy Alezy introduces the history, language, and traditional festivals of Haiti, and shares cultural differences between Haiti and Taiwan. (Photo credit: ICI)
Speaker Diana shares her learning and life experiences from her exchange program in Switzerland. (Photo credit: ICI)
Speaker Diana shares her learning and life experiences from her exchange program in Switzerland. (Photo credit: ICI)
Students actively participate by raising questions and engaging in lively discussions during the lecture. (Photo credit: ICI)
Students actively participate by raising questions and engaging in lively discussions during the lecture. (Photo credit: ICI)
Participants perform short skits to illustrate cultural differences between various countries, creating an energetic and engaging atmosphere. (Photo credit: ICI)
