The Center for International Indigenous Affairs (CIIA) at National Dong Hwa University (NDHU) recently concluded a three-city speaker series titled "When We Step into the World: Indigenous Emerging Scholars Share Their International Engagement Journeys."

Held in Taipei, Taichung, and Tainan, the series brought together six emerging Indigenous women scholars to share their experiences of international engagement and discuss opportunities for Indigenous youth to participate in academic exchange and international affairs.

Taipei: Connecting Local Experiences with International Networks

The opening session in Taipei featured Mulas Ismahasan (陳慧君), a doctoral candidate in Department of Ethnic Relations and Cultures at NDHU, and Laulav Cavalje (高蘇珊), a doctoral candidate in Social Work at National Taiwan University (NTU).

Drawing on her experience in broadcast media, Mulas reflected on how international engagement had strengthened her connection to her cultural identity and her sense of agency. She discussed her work on a documentary about the reconstruction efforts following Typhoon Morakot, emphasizing the importance of including Indigenous languages alongside Mandarin subtitles. She also pointed out that international engagement does not always require traveling abroad. Hosting international visitors in Taiwan can also create opportunities to build meaningful connections across borders.

Laulav Cavalje shared her experiences of international music tours and academic conferences. She noted that cross-cultural understanding often develops through informal interactions, such as sharing meals, making music, and exchanging traditional crafts, as well as through formal academic discussions. She also introduced government funding opportunities offered by different ministries in Taiwan, along with international resources, to help young people pursue opportunities abroad.

Taichung: Creating Space for Indigenous Voices in Global Academia

The Taichung session focused on academic engagement and featured Sera Mika (林妍伶), a doctoral candidate in Building and Planning at NTU, and Yangui Young (楊曉珞), a doctoral candidate in Anthropology at NTU.

Sera reflected on how international academic engagement had led her to reconsider her cultural roots and position as a researcher. Drawing on her participation in the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), she discussed the geopolitical challenges that Indigenous delegates may face in international settings. She encouraged emerging researchers to approach international exchanges with humility and self-reflection, while taking the time to understand the distinct historical and social contexts of other Indigenous peoples.

Focusing on preparation before traveling abroad, Yangui encouraged participants to think carefully about both what they hoped to share and what they wanted to learn from the Indigenous communities they visited. She also discussed how wearing traditional clothing at academic events can be a visible expression of cultural identity. To help young scholars prepare for international presentations, she recommended holding practice sessions and building peer-support networks before departure.

Tainan: Building Lasting Connections Across Borders

The final session in Tainan featured two doctoral candidates in Education, Umay Qaljulan (方惠閔) , a doctoral candidate in Education at National Kaohsiung Normal University (NKNU), and Mutulavay (杜宜蓁), a doctoral candidate in Adult and Continuing Education at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), who shared their experiences of international academic engagement.

Umay Qaljulan reflected on her journey into international academia, from attending conferences on faculty recommendations during her early doctoral studies to independently aligning her research with international academic discussions. She encouraged students not to be discouraged by a lack of experience and advised those considering overseas study to begin preparing their language skills and making practical arrangements early.

Mutulavay reflected on her international engagement over the years, beginning with her first volunteer trip in 2007. She encouraged Indigenous youth to never hesitate to take the stage and share their cultures and perspectives. Drawing on her experience of hosting Indigenous visitors from overseas in Taiwan, she also shared a recent trip to Norway to attend an Indigenous education conference. During the visit, she reunited with Sámi educators who had previously visited Taiwan. Their reunion demonstrated how continued exchanges can foster lasting relationships among Indigenous peoples across borders.

Supporting the Next Generation of Indigenous Leaders

"Global engagement should never feel out of reach because of one's background or available resources," said Professor Jolan Hsieh（Bavaragh Dagalomai 謝若蘭), director of the Center for International Indigenous Affairs at NDHU. "Whether through presenting research at conferences, sharing cultural arts, or welcoming international visitors, every experience creates an opportunity for Indigenous youth to connect with the world and make their voices heard."

The Center plans to continue supporting Indigenous youth through practical workshops, mentorship programs, and international networks. Through these initiatives, it hopes to create more opportunities for emerging Indigenous scholars to participate in international exchanges and build connections with Indigenous communities around the world.

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