Three Australian National University students of politics, Eric Chen, Mike Cheung and Bessie Zhang, were chosen in semester two last year for completing the university’s first internship program with partner institutions in Taiwan. Returning home to Canberra, the three students are proof that the program can change their global perspectives.
Under the funding of New Colombo Plan mobility program, the Taiwan Public Policy Internship Program is coordinated by the Australia and New Zealand School of Government within the School of Politics and International Relations at ANU with support of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia. It is open to ANU undergraduate students aged 18-28 in their third year of study or honours.
On the 10th of June, a seminar was hosted by Professor John Wanna at the ANU for the 3 students to share their positive views discovered in Taiwan via presentations. Eric Chen, the final year of a Bachelor of Asian Pacific Studies/ Bachelor of Economics double degree, presented a paper on his work critically investigating the export strategies for Taiwan’s small and medium enterprises, their challenges and policy suggestions.
Mike Cheung was interned at the Institute of International Relations in Taipei as he wanted to apply real life experiences to classroom knowledge. He covered events for the 2016 Taiwan presidential election by attending embassy functions, symposiums and political rallies. Mike concluded his journey with a research paper analysing key factors that have underpinned Taiwan's status quo since its inception.
Bessie Zhang, a Master of Asia Pacific Studies and Diplomacy double degree student, shared her six-weeks research experience with professors in the National Chengchi University and National Taiwan University on the topic of 2016 Taiwan elections. She interviewed professors, political science students and ordinary people and analysed how the Taiwanese campaign differed to Australia’s to outreach to potential voters.
Executive Director Andy Bi of TECO represented the Ministry of Education in Taiwan was invited to participate their talks along with Dr Andrew Banfield, head of School of Politics and International Relations, and staff members Ms Shellaine Godbold and Mr Martin Heskins. It was a thoroughly enjoyable seminar, with many stimulating discussions and new connections made. Three presentations from the seminar were based on 3 students’ 8,000-word report as a requirement of completing the internship.
Information of the ANU’s Taiwan Public Policy Internship Program is available at
