Taipei City Government

To gather diverse perspectives from international youth and enhance their understanding of Taipei, the Department for Youth initiated the "International Student Internship Program" following its establishment in June 2024. The first cohort of Harvard interns began their placements in June, actively participating in project planning and activity development while also conducting international youth policy analysis and offering related recommendations. The Department has also planned for local university students and international interns to exchange ideas, share views on youth policies, and collaborate on proposals to inform future departmental strategies.

The Department highlighted that among the two Harvard interns, one majors in Computer Science and the other in Economics. Their internship provides an opportunity to contribute diverse perspectives from their respective fields. The Department emphasized that the addition of these interns injects youthful energy into the team, stimulating new insights and advancing business development. During the first two weeks of their internship, the interns gained a deeper understanding of the Department’s youth policies and visited key locations such as the Taipei Urban Intelligence Center and the Taipei MRT 30th Anniversary Retrospective Exhibition. They learned how the city government uses data to integrate urban governance and observed how the Taipei MRT revitalizes the city’s commercial and cultural activities, leaving a lasting impression with its cleanliness and orderliness. Additionally, the interns accompanied Commissioner Yin Wei on a visit to the Malaysian Friendship and Trade Centre, Taipei, where they engaged in discussions with President/ Representative Mrs. Aznifah Isnariah Binti Abdul Ghani on youth issues between Taipei and Malaysia, analyzing youth policies from different cultural perspectives and gaining insight into Taipei’s international diplomacy and Malaysia’s efforts in fostering exchanges.

The Department also noted that the interns participated in two professional consensus meetings organized by the Department. The first meeting featured Taipei City Council Speaker Tai Hsi-chin, who shared personal life experiences and encouraged the interns and Department partners to solidify their values and seek suitable paths for youth development in Taipei. The interns were excited about this experience as they are also exploring their own paths. The second meeting featured Legislator Ko Ju-Chun, who discussed "Digital Youth x AI Era." The interns found the use of AI technology to expand youth participation in public affairs both intriguing and affirming, and they raised questions about verifying information accuracy and the risks associated with AI technology. The Department’s staff found that discussing municipal issues and brainstorming solutions with the interns provided substantial benefits, as it offered a fresh perspective on Taipei and its dynamics.

In conjunction with the internship program, the Department has launched a series of video programs titled "Harvard Arrives!" which premiered today on the Department’s official YouTube channel. The videos document the interns’ participation in various meetings and site visits, capturing moments of interaction and personal experiences. The Department hopes the videos will showcase the interns' vitality and growth to Taipei’s youth while creating lasting memories for the interns. Commissioner Yin Wei stated that in the coming weeks, the international interns will collaborate with local university students on project discussions and observations organized by the Department. Through this diverse exchange of viewpoints, the Department aims to attract more students from around the world to participate in its international student internship program, allowing global youth to become acquainted with Taipei and providing Taipei’s youth with a broader perspective through these international exchanges.