In 2023 and 2024, I had the opportunity to teach at Humber Polytechnic's Partner University, the National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. I cannot speak highly enough about the kindness, hospitality, and enthusiasm with which I was welcomed!
I taught a variety of classes in tourism and hospitality, facilitated a seminar on Canadian and sustainable tourism for PhD students, held faculty workshops on internationalizing the curriculum, and engaged in classroom exchanges with international students whose first language is not English.
Special shoutout to my darling chaperone Peggy, whose job it was to ferry me between my hotel and my classrooms. She not only did what she was assigned to do but also made sure I got to know very local traditions and foods, and, of course, her favourite Taiwanese bubble tea, for which she consulted several of her classmates to ensure I got the most original and authentic version! :)
A couple of surprises came in the form of former students who had either been a Taiwanese exchange student at Humber, or who had been a Humber student, went on an exchange to NKUHT, and then stayed because the loved the country so very much (I do not blame them!) (and who do speak Chinese now, btw, and I am not jealous at all!).
And last but not least, my dear former Humber Polytechnic Colleague, Doug Smith (Chef Douglas!), made me feel right at home!
I taught a variety of classes in tourism and hospitality, facilitated a seminar on Canadian and sustainable tourism for PhD students, held faculty workshops on internationalizing the curriculum, and engaged in classroom exchanges with international students whose first language is not English.
Special shoutout to my darling chaperone Peggy, whose job it was to ferry me between my hotel and my classrooms. She not only did what she was assigned to do but also made sure I got to know very local traditions and foods, and, of course, her favourite Taiwanese bubble tea, for which she consulted several of her classmates to ensure I got the most original and authentic version! :)
A couple of surprises came in the form of former students who had either been a Taiwanese exchange student at Humber, or who had been a Humber student, went on an exchange to NKUHT, and then stayed because the loved the country so very much (I do not blame them!) (and who do speak Chinese now, btw, and I am not jealous at all!).
And last but not least, my dear former Humber Polytechnic Colleague, Doug Smith (Chef Douglas!), made me feel right at home!
