Teisovinuo Pienyu and Vimenuo Lhoungu from Nagaland’s Angami community have received the 2024 Huayu Enrichment Scholarship from Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and will go to Taiwan for study trips of 3 months and 9 months, respectively.
Pienyu and Lhoungu began their Mandarin learning journey in January 2024 at the Taiwan Education Center at Assam Don Bosco University. In March 2024, they took the standardized Mandarin Proficiency Test, TOCFL (Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language), and received their certificates at the Band Novice level from Taiwan’s Ministry of Education, qualifying them for the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship.
To encourage Indian students to learn Taiwan’s language and culture, and to boost mutual understanding and interactions between the two countries, the Taiwan government provides the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship to Indian learners every year. The scholarship awardees will receive a monthly stipend of 25,000 NTD (approximately Rs. 65,447) for their stay in Taiwan. With the recommendation of their Mandarin teacher, Kuei-Mi Li, Pienyu and Lhoungu, along with their two Assamese classmates from ADBU’s Mandarin class, all received this prestigious scholarship.
Reflecting on her Mandarin learning journey, Teisovinuo Pienyu expressed her gratitude to her friend Lhoungu, an ADBU alumna, who made her aware that “Mandarin opens up a whole new world of possibilities. From connecting with people across Taiwan, China, and beyond, learning Mandarin offers a gateway to endless opportunities, whether it’s for career advancement, personal growth, or simply enriching my life with new experiences.”
She is quite positive about the learning experience in the Mandarin classes: “What’s really great about the Mandarin classes is that everyone gets involved. Our teacher encourages us to ask questions to each other, helping us to learn from one another and boosting our confidence in using Mandarin in real-life situations. Additionally, as we explore the language, our teacher often shares interesting insights about Taiwanese culture, traditions, and customs, giving us a deeper appreciation for the language and its context. Overall, my Mandarin classes have been not only educational but also incredibly fun and enriching, all thanks to our amazing teacher Kuei-Mi Li for the supportive learning environment she creates.”
Pienyu finds what she has learned in Mandarin classes to be valuable and useful: “My Mandarin proficiency has already proven beneficial—I secured a job with a Hong Kong-based company, showcasing the real-world value of language proficiency. It’s fulfilling to see how my Mandarin studies have directly contributed to both my personal and professional growth. For me, the past few months of learning Mandarin have been transformative. Passing the TOCFL exam and securing a job with a Hong Kong-based company have shown me the immense potential that lies in mastering this language. I believe there’s a whole world of possibilities waiting for me if I continue to learn and explore.”
She is determined to continue this enriching journey: “With my Mandarin proficiency, I intend to secure a lucrative career in fields where Mandarin speakers are in high demand. I plan to remain committed to continuous learning even after securing a job until I reach a level of fluency akin to that of a native Mandarin speaker. I am confident that this skill will advance my career prospects, ensuring that my investment in language learning never leads to any loss.”