The COVID-19 pandemic is by far the greatest challenge this generation has faced. Will the pandemic make humanity more humble or selfish? We are still observing this, yet what is undeniable is that the world is one, and we are all impacted by the pandemic.
Junyi School of Innovation values education that nurtures human compassion and self-discovery. It encourages youth to see the world and give back to the community. Junyi hopes students will take this education home with them when they graduate.
The majority of Junyi's first two graduating class students chose not to follow traditional paths. Instead of taking the Advanced Subjects Test, they applied for special programs that recruit based on merit, talent, and performance or continued their study overseas through the Junyi Innovative Study Abroad Program (JISAP).
For the JISAP, in two years, five students pursued study at two-year community colleges in the US, and five pursued study at United World Colleges (UWC) in Bosnia, Canada, Costa Rica, Germany, and the Netherlands; of the five, three embarked on their UWC journey after completing 11th grade at Junyi. Due to the global pandemic, all students have returned to Taiwan and are continuing their education online.
The unconventional paths designed by Chair Stanley Yen led to the founding of the JISAP. Chair Yen believes that in places where youths lack the most resources, these youths need internationalism to broaden their horizons and be the driving force for their communities to have a greater chance for sustainable change and growth.
Similar experiences in a familiar versus foreign environment can create unparalleled levels of growth. Being put into a foreign environment during their teenage years can speed up their growth immensely. Learning in a foreign environment overseas could nurture not only improved English language ability but also independence and a deeper understanding of self.
Umas Chou, Olympic College (Washington, USA)
"Challenging yourself is when you will discover the most outstanding part of you. I never understood this quote until now; it has become my driving principle. At the start of the academic year, with the many assignments given in each class, even though I was exhausted, they provided me with deeper learning on the subjects." – Umas Chou, 11th grade reflections.
At the beginning of Umas' study abroad, there was a lot of fear. With time, he became independent and eager to take on new challenges. In class, he would notice students keen to answer questions regardless of right or wrong; when wrong, he noticed how they enjoyed discovering answers. Later, he understood that it was because they weren't afraid to make mistakes and that they had the courage and encouragement to do so. In the two years, he pushed himself to try whenever Umas was confronted with the unfamiliar. If he had kept the fear of making mistakes, he probably wouldn't have grown as much as he did.
Because of Umas' curiosity about how student clubs are run, he applied for a position in the International Club as a Club Officer. In this position, he learned to discover problems proactively. He discovered that a good team is when ideas can be bounced off one another to improve the final result. He learned the complexity of cross-cultural communication and how several elements need to be considered to be a more internationalized individual.
The Intro to Human Services class discussed social issues faced in the US. Through the class, Umas understood the meaning of Chair Yen's vision: to help the underprivileged change their futures, empowering and accompanying them to create long-term change. This is a learning Umas will carry forward when he pursues a career in social work.
On some holidays, volunteer Margaret Hammerstad took Umas to travel. Witnessing the 70-year-old lady’s courage and passion to take on new challenges, Umas discovered it in himself. In the summer of 2019, when Umas visited Taiwan, he decided to travel for the first time in his hometown. With new lenses, he rediscovered his hometown and realized how much he didn’t know.
Umas earned an associate's degree from Olympic College. He will complete military service and embark on a new journey as an intern at Junyi while taking online courses.
Beck Hong, UWC Mostar (Mostar, Bosnia)
“Before being accepted to UWC, I had never heard of the country Bosnia. When I first started studying there, I felt like an outcast and lacked social skills. I didn’t talk to anyone, even with classmates of the same age. I didn’t want to have any connection with them.” – Beck Hong.
UWC students come from all over the world. On the UWC Mostar campus, there were 200 students from 60 countries. They learned and lived in an English environment. This was not easy for Beck, but with time, he took the initiative to step outside of his comfort zone to talk with schoolmates; he went to parties and even took on the role of the school photographer. Through his courage, he discovered that each individual has unique talents.
Junyi's Three Gifts
Before each 9th and 12th grader graduates, they are required to complete a graduation project and present it to students and teachers. Through the project, Junyi's three gifts are revealed.
Gift one: Get to Know Oneself
The first question of the project is, "Which topic shall I choose? Who am I? What do I want to do? What am I able to do?"
Gift two: Learning to Work with Oneself
Each student will be faced with challenges in preparation for the presentation. During this process, they will witness their strengths and weaknesses and learn to work through them with themselves.
Gift three: Bravely be Oneself
The Unconventional Path
Chair Yen's vision to found Junyi was to give financially underprivileged youths the ability to change their lives and their communities. Junyi encourages students to see the world and pursue their talents. With the exposure of having two years of study overseas, their future advantages would surpass those of Taiwan university students who are uncertain of their futures.
Six graduates of the graduating class of 2018 participated in the JISAP. One will pursue military service followed by an internship, and the other five will continue their studies overseas. Two have received scholarships from universities in the US.
2019 Daniel Chiu completed his studies at South Seattle College and was accepted to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, starting his sophomore year. Daniel said, "If I hadn't taken the unconventional path, I would have been an astronaut fan rather than pursuing the dream of becoming one."
Will humanity be humble or selfish after the end of the global pandemic? The pandemic reminds us all to love the world more—its many cultures and races—and to get to know and understand them on a deeper level. Junyi hopes to nurture the next generation by helping youths find their positions in the world and enabling Hualien-Taitungto to have internationalism and talents.
