Ukrainian student visits Taiwan to talk about the war with Russia with faculty members and students of Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages.

烏克蘭學生訪問台灣，與文藻外語大學的教職員工及學生討論與俄羅斯的戰爭相關議題。

The College of International Culture, Education, and Foreign Affairs at Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages is implementing the Taiwan Experience Education Program (TEEP) and has invited a Ukrainian student to Taiwan for the first time. Valeriia Skrynnyk, a 21-year-old Ukrainian woman, came to Taiwan in October to teach English and learn Chinese. In the spirit of humanity, Wenzao offered her free accommodations and a “buddy” to help her adapt to Taiwanese culture and learn Chinese. From October to November, Valeriia worked at Kaohsiung Municipal Hebin Elementary School as an English teaching assistant. While there, she participated in a cultural handicraft class at Kaohsiung Municipal Shoushan Junior High School, where she taught middle school students to paint Easter eggs. Also, while in Taiwan, Valeriia shared the Ukrainian language, food, and culture in four courses at Wenzao. She also shared her story of living through the war in Ukraine and the displacement of her family and friends, which made her cry during the sharing session. However, many Taiwanese students came to her after class and cheered her up, which made her feel the warmth of Taiwan.

Dr. Vivian Chiu-Hui Wu, the Dean of the College of International Culture, Education, and Foreign Affairs, stated, “There are many Russian students and teachers at Wenzao, but no Ukrainian students. Therefore, it is necessary for teachers and students to learn more about the Ukrainian culture and viewpoints on the war. Valeriia wrote the following:
“With the arrival of the war to my home, my life was turned upside down. Every day I woke up to the sound of missiles and bombs explosions. There were times when I said goodbye to my life because of the shelling, thinking that it was my last day. When Ms. Wu told me that I could come to Taiwan, I felt like I was alive again; it was a breath of fresh air for me. I am very grateful to Taiwan for supporting Ukraine! I am so grateful to the Taiwanese people for making me feel like this is my second home. Here, I not only learned Chinese [language] and culture, but also relearned how to live and enjoy life. Again, Taiwanese people are very kind and helpful. These facts make me not feel disappointed with people. Thanks, Taiwan, for being interested in Ukrainian culture. We have a lot in common and I hope the cooperation between Taiwan and the Ukraine will be better and better. Thank you, Taiwan, from the bottom of my heart!”

Finally, Valeriia would like to thank the Ministry of Education for funding the TEEP program and the Taiwanese teachers and students for taking care of her and allowing her life story to be heard. Valeriia is currently studying Chinese at Wenzao’s Chinese Language Center and is expected to work as an English teaching assistant again in the elementary or middle schools next semester.

文藻外語大學國際文化教育外交學院正推行「台灣體驗教育計畫（TEEP）」，首次邀請一位烏克蘭學生來台。21歲的烏克蘭女孩瓦萊麗婭·斯克林尼克（Valeriia Skrynnyk）於十月抵台，來台目的是教授英語並學習中文。文藻以人道主義精神提供她免費住宿及「伙伴」協助她適應台灣文化並學習中文。從十月到十一月，瓦萊麗婭在高雄市和平國小擔任英語教學助理。期間，她參加了高雄市壽山國中的文化手工藝課程，教導中學生如何彩繪復活節彩蛋。

瓦萊麗婭在台期間也在文藻舉辦了四堂課，分享烏克蘭的語言、飲食和文化。她同時也分享了在烏克蘭戰爭中生活的故事，以及她的家人和朋友被迫流離失所的經歷，這些分享讓她在課堂上淚流滿面。然而，許多台灣學生在課後前來安慰她，讓她感受到台灣的溫暖。

文藻外語大學國際文化教育外交學院院長吳秋慧博士表示：「文藻有許多俄羅斯學生和教師，但沒有烏克蘭學生，因此教職員工和學生有必要更了解烏克蘭文化及其對戰爭的觀點。」瓦萊麗婭寫道：「當戰火侵襲我的家園時，我的生活完全改變。每天早上我醒來聽到導彈和炸彈爆炸的聲音。因為炮擊，有時我以為自己的生命即將結束，告別這個世界。當吳校長告訴我可以來台灣時，我感到自己又活過來了，這對我來說是一股清新的空氣。我非常感謝台灣支持烏克蘭！我如此感激台灣人讓我感覺這裡是我的第二個家。在這裡，我不僅學習了中文和文化，還重新學會了如何生活和享受生活。台灣人非常友善和樂於助人，這讓我不再對人失望。感謝台灣對烏克蘭文化的關注，我們有很多共同之處，我希望台烏之間的合作會越來越好。從心底感謝台灣！」最後，瓦萊麗婭要感謝教育部資助TEEP計畫，並感謝台灣的教師和學生照顧她，讓她的生活故事被聽見。瓦萊麗婭目前正在文藻的中文中心學習中文，預計下個學期再次在國小或國中擔任英語教學助理。