Chinese Language Center Leads Int’l Students into Convenience Store Workplace Experience for Mandarin Enhancement

On November 20, 2025, international students at Soochow University gained first-hand exposure to convenience store work through a workplace learning experience at a local FamilyMart (Nanhai Store). The visit formed part of the Ministry of Education’s Mandarin Education Enhancement Program, which promotes practical language use in authentic learning environments.

Students from various countries changed into FamilyMart uniforms and engaged in guided workplace activities, including cashier operations, customer interaction, and coffee preparation. Under the supervision of store staff and foundation members, students engaged in role-playing tasks and practiced spoken Mandarin in real service encounters.

The workplace experience was led by Chung-En Yin, Women and Children Welfare Ambassador of the Pearl S. Buck Foundation, who introduced students to everyday routines in Taiwan’s convenience store industry. She encouraged participants to observe how language use, service practices, and cultural awareness intersect in daily workplace interactions.

Yi-Ling Lin, Director of the SU Chinese Language Center, explained that the convenience store visit was designed to move Mandarin learning beyond the classroom. By placing students in a familiar yet socially meaningful workplace, the program allows them to apply Chinese naturally while gaining insight into Taiwan’s service-oriented work culture.

As part of the activity, students were asked to identify snacks from their home countries available in the store, an exercise that connected language practice with cultural exchange. Yin noted that this task echoed FamilyMart’s corporate spirit of “One World, One Family,” highlighting inclusiveness and everyday multicultural interaction.

Pei-Wen Yu, Chairperson of the Pearl S. Buck Foundation, remarked that FamilyMart, which operates more than 4,300 stores across Taiwan, has long supported multicultural initiatives and socially inclusive employment. She described the convenience store experience as a practical starting point for helping international students envision future study or career opportunities in Taiwan.

The program was coordinated by Jie-Sheng Chen, CEO of the Pearl S. Buck Foundation. Reflecting on the collaboration, he noted that observing students interact confidently with customers and staff demonstrated how workplace-based learning can effectively integrate language practice, cultural understanding, and professional awareness.

Through this convenience store workplace experience, international students not only strengthened their spoken Mandarin but also gained concrete insight into everyday working life in Taiwan. Many expressed that the activity made learning Chinese more tangible and meaningful, while increasing their interest in further study or employment in Taiwan.

One student from Japan shared that personally handling transactions and operating beverage machines helped them better appreciate the professionalism of convenience store staff and the satisfaction that comes with serving others.