Opportunities will not come knocking on your door automatically. Only by stepping out of your comfort zone and giving your all can you create the most beautiful ending with your own hands.

Opportunities Wait for No One: From Self-Doubt to Taking Initiative

When I first entered the Department of Risk Management and Insurance, I often asked myself, “Is this major really suitable for me?” I frequently doubted whether I had chosen the right path. However, instead of staying anxious, I took the initiative to reach out to seniors to learn about the career prospects after graduation. To my surprise, I found that the opportunities were much more diverse than I had imagined: some entered insurance companies as underwriters, others worked in risk management in the tech industry. This information reassured me that my choice was wise.

I set high standards for my academic performance, believing it was a necessary process to demonstrate self-discipline and develop professionalism. I also maintained the record of being ranked first in my department for three and a half consecutive years. In my junior year, I mustered the courage to express my research interests to Director Young-Lang Chang, and I am grateful for his affirmation and support, which helped me get started smoothly. My research topic was “An Analysis of the Determinants of Financial Inspection Penalties.” Although I had not yet completed all the practical insurance courses at that time, under Professor Chang’s careful guidance, I gradually mastered the relevant knowledge and research context, and ultimately succeeded in passing the review by the National Science and Technology Council, gaining the opportunity to carry out the project.

During the research process, I used statistical analysis methods and combined a large amount of collected data to explore the potential determinants of insurance companies being penalized by financial inspections. These findings are highly valuable for insurers in corporate governance and risk management, and can also serve as an important reference for financial supervisory authorities in formulating policies. The research results were published in 2024 in the Journal of Life Insurance Management. Being able to publish influential research in a professional journal in the insurance field during my undergraduate years is an immense honor, and it has strengthened my determination to further advance in my professional field.

The research jointly completed with Professor Young-Lang Chang was published in the Journal of Life Insurance Management.

Rural English Camp: Conveying Love for the Homeland through Local Design

I grew up in Yunlin County, where intergenerational parenting is very common. As a child, I couldn’t understand the meaning behind this phenomenon; it was only after leaving home to study elsewhere that I realized the huge impact that gaps in educational resources and companionship have on children’s growth. Grateful for the opportunity to receive a complete education, I hoped to give back to my hometown and help more local children.

During the summer vacation of my freshman year, I participated in the Ministry of Education’s “Youth Summer Community Workplace Experience Program,” returning to Lunzi Community in Yuanchang Township, Yunlin County to organize an English summer camp, serving as the camp organizer.

This camp combined my English skills and teaching passion. Through interactive and fun courses, I hoped to spark rural children’s interest in English and build their confidence. 

For example, when teaching “body parts,” I designed games that involved singing and dancing, so the children could naturally learn vocabulary and usage; when teaching “self-introduction,” I arranged role-playing and group competitions, encouraging the children to speak English proactively in a joyful atmosphere.

In addition to language teaching, we also tried to incorporate the wisdom of community elders into the curriculum, such as inviting grandmothers to teach children how to make red turtle cakes, bowl cakes, and do plant dyeing. I hoped that while learning English, the children could also better understand their hometown and culture, building confidence and a sense of belonging from an early age. It was this diverse design and local connection that enabled our camp to win first place in the Ministry of Education’s national achievement competition.

Selling Dolls at the Market: Rebuilding Hope for Syrian Women through Charity

Through participating in the Ministry of Education’s Dream-Building Program, I became aware of refugee issues. The Syrian civil war has lasted for 13 years, destroying countless families and leaving many women as the sole breadwinners after losing their husbands, making them economically isolated.

Facing such difficulties, in July 2024, I participated in a fundraising event organized in Taipei by a non-profit founded by Lara, selling dolls made by Syrian women to provide them with economic support. I was responsible for sales. These dolls are not only exquisite handicrafts but also carry the hope and efforts of Syrian women for the future.

All proceeds from the event were donated to Syrian children to support their education. Through this event, we not only sold dolls made by Syrian women and sought economic support, but also raised awareness of the plight and needs of Syrian refugees, encouraging more people to join this meaningful cause.

During the charity sale event, I introduced the stories of Syrian women to the participants.

COP28: A Shocking Education at the Climate Change Conference

In December 2023, with the assistance and guidance of Professor Ben-Ray Jai from the Department of Cooperative Economics and Social Entrepreneurship and Professor Chen-Yeon Chu from the Master's Program of Green Energy Science and Technology, I went to Dubai to attend the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). This is a globally significant climate conference, bringing together world leaders, experts, NGOs, and media to discuss climate action. At this international event, I not only broadened my horizons but also began an in-depth exploration of Islamic finance and sustainable insurance.

At the exhibition, I was introduced to Islamic insurance (Takaful, mutual insurance) for the first time. Unlike traditional insurance, it emphasizes mutual assistance and risk-sharing, strictly adheres to Sharia law, and prohibits interest (Riba) and speculation. Participants jointly contribute to a fund pool used for compensation and public welfare, and any surplus is returned to members or used for charity. This system made me rethink the ethical values and social functions of finance.

The experience at COP28 made me realize that finance is not just a tool for capital flow, but also a key mechanism for solving global environmental and social problems. I learned how financial innovation can integrate with religious culture and sustainability concepts to create positive impacts, and I gained a deeper understanding of the diverse paths to sustainable development in different cultural contexts. This experience has had a profound impact on my future learning direction and values.

At COP28 in Dubai, I engaged in exchanges with multinational insurance companies.

Internship in Australia: International Programs as a Window to New Horizons

In the final year of my undergraduate studies, in January 2025, I participated in the Ministry of Education’s “New Southbound Dream-Building Program” under the guidance of Director Leu, Hoang Jyh of the Master's Program of Green Energy Science and Technology and Professor Chen-Hua Hsueh from s.School, and went to Brisbane, Australia for an internship at a food bank. There, I gained a deep understanding of the issues of food waste and homelessness that still exist in affluent countries.

Through cooperation with non-profit organizations, I saw how they transform surplus food from supermarkets and farms into nutritious meals, and how they mobilize the public to donate through supermarket channels, forming a complete food rescue network.

In addition, on the beautiful campuses of the University of Queensland, Bond University, and Queensland University of Technology, we shared Feng Chia University’s efforts in sustainable development, each closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This exchange not only gave them a new understanding of the university’s overseas programs but also enriched my international experience and diverse thinking. This internship journey not only broadened my horizons but also inspired my determination to promote social sustainability more efficiently in the future.

After sharing Feng Chia University’s sustainability program at Bond University, I took a commemorative photo

In January 2025, I participated in the Ministry of Education’s “New Southbound Dream-Building Program” and went to a food bank in Brisbane, Australia for an internship.

World Economic Forum: The Most Special Course of My College Life

I was fortunate to participate in the “World Economic Forum” honors course personally planned by Chairperson Cheng-Shu Kao. This course was not only the most special learning experience in my college life but also a feast and shock of ideas. The course brought together outstanding students from various departments, focusing on current global key issues, from historical context to modern technology, from artificial intelligence to global economic transformation. Each class felt like a cross-temporal dialogue, leading us to deeply explore the profound impact of major power structures on the world economy.

Chairperson Kao, with his broad vision and sharp insights, revealed the logic behind global issues for us. His dialogues with former Minister of Environmental Protection Administration Kuo-Yen Wei, Chair Professor, Director Shou-Li Yeh of the (Research Center for World Economy and Industrial Transformation), and Executive Officer Man-Ching Lin of iSchool, were truly inspiring. In class, we not only learned how to view economic development from a long-term historical perspective but also stimulated innovative thinking through group discussions, interpreting global trends from different angles.

What makes this course unique is that it is not just about imparting knowledge, but about building and reshaping frameworks of thinking.

Every class felt like being in a rapidly changing world, drawing wisdom from the river of history and seeking direction in the waves of technology. The course covered a wide range of topics, from climate change to geopolitics, from financial technology to sustainable development, giving me a whole new understanding of how the world works.

The interaction between teachers and students and the cross-disciplinary dialogues in class made me deeply appreciate the joy and value of learning. This not only motivated me to face future challenges with a sharper perspective but also made me realize that only with a macro perspective and cross-disciplinary abilities can one stand firm in a rapidly changing world. It also made me understand that true success comes from a deep understanding of global issues and the practice of innovative thinking. This experience will become an important driving force for me to continue moving forward, enabling me to pursue excellence more firmly and contribute to the world.

A photo of our group working together in a classroom debate.

For the end-of-semester individual presentation, formal attire was required on stage.

Feng Chia is a Treasure Mountain: Digging for Treasure is Never in Vain

Looking back on these years of experience, I want to tell my juniors—there is no standard answer to college life, but every choice is worth giving your all. If you ever feel lost, start by exploring proactively; these experiences will help you understand what you truly want.

Feng Chia University is full of resources, but they won’t come to you automatically; if you actively seek opportunities, you will achieve wonderful results. How much treasure you can get from this treasure mountain depends on how deep you are willing to dig.