English 
正體中文 
The Alumni Service Center of Yuan Ze University invited Malaysian alumnus Ming-Yue Tang, a graduate of the Department of Chinese Linguistics and Literature, to return to campus and share his real-life experiences of studying, living, and working in Taiwan with international alumni and current students.
The sharing session did not offer grand theories, yet it carried powerful emotional strength. Through the rhythm of his own life story, Tang highlighted themes of cross-border mobility, gender equality, and social engagement, deeply moving everyone in attendance.
Tang recalled that while studying in Malaysia, he often heard from friends that Taiwan was a culturally diverse and friendly place—open-minded, free in thought, and a land where people could truly be themselves. Yuan Ze University was recruiting in Malaysia at the time and offered scholarships, which prompted him to wonder, “Maybe I could start a new life in another country.” After arriving in Taiwan, he saw gender diversity represented in public spaces and experienced a social atmosphere where such topics could be openly discussed. At that moment, he felt for the first time that “being myself is allowed,” turning his earlier dream of staying in Taiwan into a tangible choice.
During his studies at Yuan Ze University, he actively participated in volunteer services, gender issues, and social movements. His research interests slowly aligned with his life experiences, eventually leading him to complete academic work closely connected to his personal background. After graduation, he joined the Taoyuan LGBT Health Center, dedicating himself to LGBT health and community support. He recalled humorously that in the early days when the center did not yet have a permanent space, there were nights when he worked overtime without even having a safe and comfortable place to stay. It was not until the team later moved near Taoyuan Station that the center finally had a home, becoming a gathering place where many in the LGBT community could relax and talk after work, marking an important turning point in the growth of the local LGBT network.
Tang also shared key moments from his ten-year involvement in the marriage-equality movement—such as the mix of support, indifference, and doubt he encountered while holding signs at Zhongli Night Market and Taoyuan Station; witnessing in 2017 the Constitutional Court’s historic decision affirming the freedom of same-sex marriage; the collective setback and reflection after the 2018 referendum loss; and the emotional fulfillment on the day the same-sex marriage law officially took effect in 2019 when change finally became reality. He emphasized that marriage equality was not the end, but rather the beginning of another journey: “Marriage is only a starting point. Gender education, friendly healthcare, workplace safety, and long-term care systems still need more people working together.”
Later, Tang transferred to work at the Taiwan Lourdes Association, serving foreign migrant workers, stateless infants, and people living with HIV. He shared that this work brought him closer to the hardships faced by foreign communities in Taiwan—language barriers, systemic limitations, and daily-life challenges. “I have taken photos of many people, but what truly leaves a trace are the moments when we worked, lived, and were seen together.” His words deeply resonated with the foreign alumni present, reflecting the weight and depth of cross-cultural life experiences.
Throughout his ten years rooted in Taiwan, Tang had experienced joy, hardship, and bittersweet challenges. His story mirrored the emotions of many foreign students—arriving in a place unfamiliar in language, culture, and institutions, yet still choosing to work hard, grow, and live fully. Such courage and resilience deserve recognition from everyone at Yuan Ze University.
Yuan Ze University stated that through this alumni-sharing session, the campus community saw the commitment and perseverance of international alumni in Taiwan, as well as the importance of mutual cultural understanding and support. The university will continue to provide a friendly environment and remain a strong source of support for international students in Taiwan, walking steadily with every student who chooses to stay and build a future here.
