Soochow Students Showcase Cross-Cultural Skills at Osaka Expo 2025

Eight outstanding student volunteers from Soochow University, led by Assistant Professor Ying-Hsuan Wu from the Department of Japanese Language and Culture, brought Taiwan’s warmth and creativity to the global stage at the Osaka Expo 2025 from July 1 to 10. The initiative was jointly organized by Soochow’s Center for East Asian Studies in collaboration with Japan’s Asia Association of Education and Exchange and Yoshiya Co., Ltd. 

The project empowered students to build cultural bridges through language and service. Acting as more than interpreters or guides, they turned communication into genuine connection, helping visitors experience the Expo with empathy and curiosity. 

Throughout the event, the students engaged international visitors, introducing Taiwanese culture and discovering that language is not only for expression and comprehension, but also a means to foster human connection across cultures. 

Pei-Han Hsu, a student volunteer of the Department of Japanese Language and Culture, recalled, “People in Kansai never ignored me because I was a foreigner. Instead, they listened attentively and gave me lots of encouragement and feedback.” Such sincerity motivated the students to keep learning with the shared belief that “language truly bridges worlds.” 

Selected from over 100 applicants, the eight students demonstrated Soochow’s hallmark values—passion, professionalism, and teamwork—on an international platform. Their work strengthened Taiwan–Japan friendship and marked a milestone in Soochow University’s global outreach. 

The journey to Osaka broadened their perspectives and deepened their intercultural awareness, turning volunteer service into a transformative educational experience. Their success embodies Soochow University’s mission to nurture globally minded and socially engaged citizens.