2025 Nostalgia for Taiwan: Short-term In-school Program for Overseas Compatriot Children and Adolescents

I.Background
This Short-Term In-School Program is designed to give overseas Taiwanese parents peace of mind while briefly visiting Taiwan with their children aged 6 to 15. By attending local schools, participants can experience Taiwan's culture, customs, and society firsthand. Learning alongside Taiwanese classmates fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of Taiwan. Through immersive education, cultural exchange, and new friendships, the program helps overseas compatriot children and teens strengthen their connection to their Taiwanese heritage. It is hoped that they will leave with lasting memories and a stronger bond with Taiwan.

II.Objectives
1.To provide overseas compatriot students visiting Taiwan with opportunities to study in genuine classroom environments with local students, giving them direct experience with the richness of Mandarin and helping them improve their language abilities.
2.To foster meaningful interactions between local and overseas compatriot students, promoting a deeper appreciation of Taiwan's cultural diversity and heritage while strengthening their connections to the country.

III.Organizers
K-12 Education Administration, the Ministry of Education (hereinafter referred to as K12EA) and the Overseas Community Affairs Council (hereinafter referred to as the OCAC)

IV.Co-organizers
Local governments and host schools

V.Duration
1.Overall Program: August 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026
2.In-School Sessions:
•First Semester: October 1, 2025 – Last Day of the first semester
•Second Semester: March 2, 2026 – Last Day of the second semester
(The official semester end dates are as announced by the Ministry of Education.)

VI.Participants
This program is open to overseas Taiwanese children and youths aged 6 to 15 (hereinafter referred to as Participant) who are visiting Taiwan short-term with their families. Additionally, at least one parent must be a Taiwanese national and act as the applicant for the program.

VII. How to Apply and Important Notes
1.Application Process
Interested overseas Taiwanese parents (hereinafter referred to as Applicant) should apply online at https://register.ocac.gov.tw/cht/index.php?/sign/nostalgiafortaiwan-2025 between Monday, April 21, 2025, and Friday, May 9, 2025. Click "Sign In" to register on behalf of the participant and complete the application form. Each student may submit only one application per academic year, with school visits ranging from 5 to 30 school days.

2.Important Notes:
(1)Applicants are advised to carefully read the program introduction and follow the guidelines outlined in the official bulletin. To ensure fairness, direct applications to host schools are strictly prohibited and will not be accepted.
(2)The designated "local emergency contact" must reside in the same city/county as the host school to ensure timely assistance in case of emergencies involving the visiting student. Applicants must provide the contact's cellphone number or LINE ID, as requested by the host school. Applicants are also advised to inform their emergency contact in Taiwan to avoid any misunderstandings when the school reaches out.
(3)Students will initially be placed in the requested grade; however, adjustments may be made based on the school's operational needs or individual learning requirements. If no specific grade is indicated, placement will be determined based on the student's age and language proficiency.
(4)When selecting the duration of the participants' stay, applicants should take note of the unavailable dates listed in the host school's fact sheet. Please be aware that final attendance dates may be adjusted according to the school's activity schedule and administrative considerations.

3.Matching and Confirmation of Participation:
(1)The matching order for this program is primarily determined by the registration sequence and the ranking of choices on the application form. Each host school specifies its maximum capacity and unavailable dates, and mismatches in these factors may result in unsuccessful placements. Therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the fact sheets carefully before ranking their choices. The total number of approved placements available each school year depends on both the number of submitted applications and the host schools' capacity to accommodate visiting students during that specific year.
(2)Two weeks prior to the start of participants' visit, successfully matched applicants must contact the host school and submit a copy of the child's current passport along with proof of insurance coverage, which must include both accident and medical insurance. Failure to provide these required documents will result in the student being unable to participate in the program.
(3)Applicants must ensure that the participants have insurance coverage for both accidental and medical expenses during the school visit. For cross-border insurance, it is essential to confirm the policy is valid for claims in Taiwan. Applicants should submit copies of relevant documents along with a signed affidavit from the participants' legal representative (see Attachment 3). In the event of a recurrence of a chronic illness or the onset of a sudden illness during the visit, applicants will be responsible for any resulting medical expenses.
(4)Applicants whose children have any special physical or mental conditions should contact their selected host school directly after being accepted into the program. Both parties must reach a mutual agreement on how the participant's specific needs will be addressed. Please note that any issues arising from incomplete or inaccurate health information will be the sole responsibility of the applicant.
(5)Matched applicants must submit the Participants' Student Information Form (Attachment 2) to the host school by Thursday, July 31, 2025. The information provided must be consistent with the details on the original application form. If the host school does not respond, applicants are expected to proactively confirm their participation by phone in order to finalize their placement. Failure to confirm by the deadline will result in forfeiture of the placement. If vacancies remain, a second round of matching will be conducted, allowing initially unmatched applicants the opportunity to participate. Applicants should regularly check the email address provided in their application and monitor the OCAC website for updates regarding the second-round deadlines, available host schools, and their corresponding fact sheets. Those who miss the deadline due to not checking notifications will not be granted another opportunity to participate.
(6)When accepting the program offer, matched applicants must confirm the start and end dates of the participants' visit, the assigned grade level, and any specific requests for assistance with special needs directly with the host school. It is essential that both parties reach a mutual agreement on these details before booking flights and arranging accommodations for the child's stay.

4.Important Program Details for Accepted Participants:
(1)This program is a short-term educational experience and does not constitute official school enrollment. Participants will not receive grades or formal evaluations.
(2)Applicants and participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation and accommodations, as these are not provided by the program.
(3)All participants are expected to adhere to school rules and demonstrate respectful behavior at all times. Failure to comply with school regulations, adapt to the curriculum, or cooperate with staff may result in termination of participation at the discretion of the host school.