Event Summary

The 5th online workshop hosted by the Taiwanese Association of Hispanists, titled "From Spanish to Success: Cross-Disciplinary Careers and Diversification," featured three scholars who shared their journeys of transitioning from Spanish language backgrounds into diverse fields such as Chinese literature, international affairs, and Italian studies.

Presentation Highlights

1. What Happened to the Spanish Dream?

Speaker: Ms. Chen Cheng-fang (Associate Professor, NCNU) Highlights:

• Academic Transition: Shared her journey from Spanish studies to Chinese literature, emphasizing that "crossing boundaries" is about rediscovering passion rather than abandoning the past.
• Finding Value: Discussed the challenges of establishing professional trust during career shifts and how to find one's unique value through deep research.
• Cultural Comparison: Introduced the "Ecomuseum" concept and drew parallels between Latin American and Taiwanese indigenous cultures.

2. Spanish Heart, International Passion

Speaker: Mr. Rolando J. N. Chang (Associate Professor, Ming Chuan University) Highlights:

• Serendipity and Necessity: Shared how Spanish served as a stepping stone into the public sector (COA, MOE) and academia.
• Core Competence: Emphasized that cross-cultural literacy is the most critical core competency for Spanish learners, serving as lifelong nourishment even in non-Spanish-related roles.
• Gratitude and Passion: Encouraged students to look back with gratitude, live in the present with passion, and embrace future choices bravely.

3. Integrating Language (Italian), European Studies, and International Affairs

Speaker: Mr. Matteo Chang (Chair, Department of Italian, FJU) Highlights:

• Cross-Border Shift: Shared his transition from Spanish to Italian studies and European politics, and how his Spanish background benefited him during his studies in Italy.
• Diverse Services: Discussed integrating language skills with media, tourism, and trade, and his active involvement in public affairs and cultural promotion.
• Resilience Strategies: Explored how language learners can combine multiple expertises to become interdisciplinary talents in the face of declining birthrates and the rise of AI translation.

Event Information

• Time: March 25, 2022 (Fri) 20:00-21:30
• Location: Online (Zoom / Google Meet)
• Moderators: Ms. Wen-Yuan Chang, Mr. Hsiao-Chieh Tu