2026 Nostalgia for Taiwan: Short-term In-school Program for Overseas Compatriot Children and Adolescents
2026 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 helps foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Taiwan. Through immersive education, cultural exchange, and friendship building, the program enables overseas compatriot children and teens to strengthen their connection to their Taiwanese heritage. We hope that they 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 authentic classroom environments alongside local students, giving them firsthand experience of the richness of Mandarin and helping them improve their language proficiency.
2. To promote meaningful engagement between local and overseas compatriot students, fostering 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, 2026 - June 30, 2027
2. In-School Sessions:
•First Semester: October 1, 2026 – Last Day of the first semester
•Second Semester: March 2, 2027 – 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 on a short-term basis with their families. In addition, at least one parent must be a Taiwanese national and serve 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/nostalgiafortaiwan2026 between Monday, March 23, 2026, and Tuesday, April 14, 2026 (Taiwan Time). Please click "Log" to register on behalf of your child and complete the application form. Each participant is limited to one application per academic year, and the duration of the school visit ranges from 5 and 30 school days.
2.Important Notes:
(1)Applicants are advised to carefully review the program introduction and comply with the guidelines outlined in the bulletin. To ensure fairness, reminding or applying directly to host schools is strictly prohibited and will not be considered.
(2)The designated "local emergency contact" must reside in the same city or county as the host school to ensure timely assistance in the event of an emergency involving the visiting participant. Applicants are required to provide the local contact's cellphone number or LINE ID, as requested by the host school. Applicants should inform the designated emergency contact in Taiwan of their child's participation in the program to avoid any misunderstandings if the school needs to make contact.
(3)Participants will initially be placed in the requested grade, but adjustments may be made based on the school's operational needs or the participant's individual learning requirements. If no specific grade is indicated, placement will be determined according to the participant's age and language proficiency.
(4)Applicants should take note of the unavailable dates specified in the host school's fact sheet when indicating the duration for participant's stay. Please be advised that the final dates may be adjusted based on the school's activity schedule and administrative requirements. Any requests for rescheduling must receive prior approval from the host school. Certain dates are restricted and therefore unavailable for selection.
3.Matching and Confirmation of Participation:
(1)The matching order for this program is primarily determined by the registration sequence and the ranking of preferences indicated on the application form. Each host school specifies its maximum capacity and unavailable dates, and mismatches in these factors may result in unsuccessful placement. Applicants are therefore advised to carefully review the host schools' fact sheets when ranking their choices. The total number of approved vacancies available for matching in each school year is determined by both the number of applications received and the host schools' capacity to accommodate visiting participants during that year.
(2)Two weeks prior to the beginning of the participant's visit to the host school, successfully matched applicants are required to contact the host school and submit a copy of the participant's valid passport, along with proof of insurance coverage that includes both accident and medical insurance. Failure to provide the required documents will result in the participant being unable to participate in the program.
(3)Applicants must ensure that their child is covered by accident and medical insurance for the duration of the school visit. For cross-border insurance policies, applicants should confirm that the coverage is valid for claims made in Taiwan. Copies of the relevant insurance documents, along with a signed affidavit from the visiting participant's legal representative (see Attachment 3), must be submitted. In the event that a participant experiences a recurrence of a chronic condition or a sudden illness during the visit, all resulting medical expenses shall be the responsibility of the participant.
(4)Applicants whose children have special physical or mental conditions are required to contact their selected host school directly after program acceptance. Both parties should reach a mutual understanding regarding the arrangements needed to support the participant's specific needs. Please note that any issues arising from incomplete or inaccurate disclosure of a participant's health information shall be the sole responsibility of the applicant.
(5)Matched applicants must submit the visiting participant's Student Information Form (Attachment 2) to the host school by Thursday, June 11, 2026. All information provided must be consistent with the original application. If the host school does not acknowledge receipt, applicants are responsible for proactively confirming their participation by phone. Failure to confirm by the specified deadline will result in forfeiture of the placement. Any remaining vacancies will be filled through a second round of matching for applicants who were not matched in the initial round. Applicants are advised regularly to monitor their registered email, phone messages, and the OCAC website for updates regarding second-round ranking deadlines and host school fact sheets. Please note that failure to meet deadlines due to unread notifications will not be accepted as grounds for a second chance.
(6)When accepting the program offer, matched applicants must confirm with the host school the start and end dates of their child's visit, the assigned grade level, and any specific requests for assistance related to special needs. It is essential that both parties reach agreement on these details before booking flights and securing accommodation for the child's visit to the host school.
4.Important Program Details for Accepted Participants:
(1)This program is a short-term experience and does not constitute official school enrollment. Visiting participants will not receive grades or formal evaluations.
(2)Participants are responsible for arranging and covering the cost of their own transportation and accommodations, as these are not provided by the program.
(3)All visiting participants must adhere to school rules and demonstrate appropriate and respectful behavior. Failure to follow school regulations, adapt to instructional activities, or cooperate with school staff may result in termination of participation at the host school's discretion.
2026 Nostalgia for Taiwan: Short-term In-school Program for Overseas Compatriot Children and Adolescents
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