Asia-Pacific

Palau Welcomes Taiwan as Further Education Option To Combat Talent Drain

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By Joseph Wu/Tiffany Wong

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At Palau High School, students are learning Mandarin. They say they're interested in visiting Taiwan for educational exchanges. While the country's education system ends at the community college level, many Palauans seek higher education abroad in the US, where they can study, work and live visa-free. But as the country battles an emigration problem, educators are looking to turn their students futures' to Taiwan in the hope they'll return to Palau after graduation.

Students at this Mandarin class in Palau welcome visitors with a song.

They belong to a growing number of young Palauans learning the language with teachers from Taiwan, a program that began nearly a decade ago. Since then, hundreds of students have entered the program... gaining exposure to Mandarin... and to Taiwanese culture.

And school principal Smyth Rdang is hoping to expand the program for another reason: so that if they go to Taiwan for higher education... they return to Palau.

SMYTH RDANG, PRINCIPAL:

"You know, this is something that for Palau as a developing country, we need returns now. Throughout my generation and this generation, most of the time they go to US mainland. And guess what? The return is very low."

Palauans can study, work and live in the US visa-free... but it’s created a serious problem: many who go there... don’t come back.

And with a population of just 17,000, the country can’t afford for all its best talent to leave.

SMYTH RDANG, PRINCIPAL:

"Compared to when they go to Australia, especially Taiwan. 100% return, and guess where they go? They have positions right there. Business. Banking."

Of 200 graduates from Palau High School this year, 10% are going to Taiwan for further study, including language programs. And that interest starts first in the Mandarin classes here.

STELLA MARIE MIGUEL, MANDARIN STUDENT:

"I feel like Taiwan is, you know, big, really advanced and popular. And it's also like a really good place to go to, especially for education."

ANIKA CALADO, MANDARIN STUDENT:

"Taiwan has a friendship with Palau. So, um, that's where I learned about Taiwan. And I met a lot of Taiwanese, actually, in the Rock Islands and around Koror."

REPORTER:

"Okay, so tourists."

ANIKA CALADO, MANDARIN STUDENT:

"Yeah, tourists. And some work here."

Their teacher, Freda Huang, is hoping to take them to Taiwan this fall to meet local high school students, tour cultural landmarks and live with host families.

FREDA HUANG, ICDF MANDARIN TEACHER:

"I hope that when these students use [Mandarin] they don’t simply view it as a way to understand a specific country. Instead, I want them to be able to use the language to share what their own country is like compare different nations and expand their knowledge."

Educators say exchanges at a young age could further expose Palauans to Taiwan and get them to consider studying there, just a four-hour flight away.

And the principal is still thinking of more ways to prepare students for the journey.

SMYTH RDANG, PRINCIPAL:

"What if we trickle it down to the lower grades in elementary? And then that would be awesome. By the time they graduate high school, at least they're fluent and can really converse with, let's say, a Chinese speaking, Mandarin speaking people, and then it will open up more opportunities for them to say, okay, I'm going to Taiwan to do this, and it will be easier for them."

As ties between Palau and Taiwan grow, these Mandarin students may be the next generation bridging the gap between the two island nations.

"I want to go to Taiwan!"