Setting Out Because of Belief | Yuan-Yin Liao, Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Feng Chia University

Never Give Up Until the Ball Hits the Ground

When I was a freshman, I joined the Women’s Volleyball Varsity Team simply because of my passion for volleyball. At that time, my skills were not as strong as others, but my enthusiasm for the sport motivated me to repeatedly practice every basic movement. The weekly physical training, every team collaboration, the sweat and scraped knees—all became the most passionate and precious memories of my university life.

Volleyball is a sport that requires the cooperation of all six players on the court; no one can fight alone. This is just like every international volunteer and internship program I later participated in. Only by listening to each other and supporting one another can we turn difficult tasks into reality. My years with the Women’s Volleyball Varsity Team not only strengthened my physical abilities and perseverance but also taught me that the power of teamwork can create changes that one person alone could never achieve.

The training on the court was strict, but off the court, the senior members of our team took great care of us.

Turning Point: Internship Journey on the Turkey-Syria Border

In my sophomore year, I learned about global environmental issues and became deeply interested in the concept of the circular economy. At that time, the university’s “Dream-Building Project for Overseas Study” offered an internship opportunity in Turkey, with a focus on the circular economy. The internship mainly involved environmental protection and environmental education. Upon hearing about this, I immediately applied enthusiastically.

During the summer, nine of us interns traveled together to Reyhanli, Turkey, to intern at the “Taiwan Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens.” This center primarily assists Syrian refugees by providing vocational training and educational support. Our team of nine divided the work, and the overall project was split into three main areas: environmental action, educational services, and media promotion.

Specifically, we made eco-friendly soap from used cooking oil, built aquaponics systems, promoted food waste composting, taught English, math, and dance classes, and managed social media and MV video production, hoping to help the local community from different perspectives.

The close-knit group in Turkey who fought side by side for 53 days, along with our partners Walid and Hali from the Taiwan Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens.

Besides accompanying the children, we also worked with local women to make eco-friendly soap from used cooking oil. Since most restaurants in Reyhanli do not have a fixed system for recycling used oil, its disposal is often a headache for shop owners. Therefore, we hoped to promote the use of recycled oil for making eco-friendly soap at the Taiwan Center.What impressed me most was interacting with the children. These simple moments of companionship touched me deeply. At that time, I didn’t speak much Arabic, and they didn’t speak much English, but as long as we played ball together, the children would always laugh happily. That pure joy made me realize for the first time that children’s happiness is the same everywhere in the world—even if their hometowns are torn by civil war and they face the hardship of being unwelcome in Turkey. The stories behind these children and their mothers are not simple, but they remain optimistic, work hard to live, and open their hearts to us strangers.

In this seemingly distant and unfamiliar city, I felt an abundance of warmth—not from material things, but from the trust and acceptance between people.

Playing volleyball with the children at the Taiwan Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens.

Dubai: United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28)

Our department professors once shared with us how the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference influences international attention on climate change issues. This journey would not have been possible without the support and help of many people. I am sincerely grateful to Professor Ben-Ray Jai and Professor Chen-Yeon Chu for their assistance and guidance throughout the process, as well as to Lara for her thoughtful hospitality in Dubai. Thanks to them, I had the opportunity to visit Dubai and personally participate in the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, witnessing how countries discuss carbon markets, energy transition, and social justice.

What moved me most was the voices of young people from around the world. They bravely expressed their positions and action plans in the official meetings, making me realize that we, the youth, can also be part of the change.

Exchanging experiences with the staff of hempy workshops on making eco-friendly soap from used cooking oil.

Exchanging experiences with the staff of hempy workshops on making eco-friendly soap from used cooking oil.Serving in Rural Cambodia – CTEP

The Cambodia Teacher Education Project (CTEP) is a non-profit educational organization that has been deeply rooted in Cambodia for many years. It has established dozens of educational sites locally, providing free English and digital skills courses to help children in rural areas.

At the beginning of 2024, through the Youth Development Administration, Ministry of Education’s overseas volunteer service program, our team went to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Team members taught English, guitar, and DIY catapult classes. While they taught at the front of the classroom, I helped the children better understand the lessons from the audience.

During the service, we taught in different rural classrooms every day, so we met different students each day. Among every group, there were always some shy and introverted students who didn’t dare to raise their hands. As a group leader, I could encourage them from the audience to bravely participate. Seeing the children’s expressions change from confusion to smiles as they engaged in the lessons always gave me a great sense of accomplishment.

We held a catapult game, and the children who won received prizes.

Internship at EarthCheck, Exploring Sustainable Tourism Management

“Travel can be environmentally friendly!” This was my biggest realization after participating in the EarthCheck internship program.

In June 2025, through the Youth Development Administration’s Billion-Dollar Dream Project, I went to Brisbane, Australia, to visit hotels and resorts certified by EarthCheck. I witnessed firsthand how a company implements carbon reduction, water conservation, and waste management in its operations, deepening my understanding of sustainable tourism.

Selected youth from the Youth Development Administration’s Billion-Dollar Dream Project had the opportunity to meet the President.

EarthCheck is currently the world’s leading sustainable tourism certification organization. Its standards are widely applied in tourism, hotels, conference venues, and communities. They provide a systematic management tool for carbon emissions, energy, water resources, and waste performance indicators (KPA). This not only deepened my theoretical knowledge of environmental science at university but also provided a strong practical foundation for my future work in ESG sustainability management.

Be Brave to Try—Macronix International Co., Ltd. Talent Development Program

In addition to volunteering, attending climate conferences, and sustainability internships, I also wanted to explore different learning and career possibilities. Therefore, I chose to participate in the 3+2 Bachelor-Master Program at Macronix International Co., Ltd. as the starting point for my next journey. What attracted me most to this program was its combination of theoretical and practical training, allowing me to obtain both bachelor’s and master’s degrees within five years. The summer internship not only strengthened my professional skills but also enabled me to participate in solving real-world problems. Through this experience, I gradually built my understanding of the industry and developed a professional attitude, exploring a clearer direction for myself.

Every departure is a practice of courage to approach the unknown. I always believe that as long as you are willing to step out and try, you will have the chance to see different landscapes and get to know yourself better.