Foreign group eager to pass on Taiwan experience

 2013/05/06 13:39:51Taipei, May 6 (CNA) A group of 20 young professionals from around the world wrapped up a government-sponsored visit to Taiwan on Monday, saying they are eager to relate their experiences when they get home.The young adults from Mongolia, Israel, Russia and Ukraine said that during their eight-day trip they learned about Taiwan's rich cultural mix, technology and gourmet food, which they will enthusiastically introduce to people at home."Both the tradition and the modernity in Taiwan have created this unique twist that I haven't seen in many places," said Hadas Grinvalde from Israel.The 33-year-old also lauded the friendliness and hospitality of Taiwanese people, saying that her group was made to feel welcome by people they encountered everywhere, from the streets to institutions.Russian Maxim Chkham, 25, said he was most impressed with Taiwan's food, in particular the spicy seafood, which he described as unique.From April 28 to May 6, the group visited several places in northern Taiwan, including the Development Center for Biotechnology in New Taipei and a recycling park set up by the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation to focus on the country's environmental protection education.They also visited the National Center for Traditional Arts and the King Car Whisky Distillery in Yilan County, learning to speak some Mandarin, sing Chinese-language songs and write calligraphy.The annual program, which was launched in 2009, is aimed at increasing the understanding of Taiwan among young people throughout the world, as part of the government's efforts to promote the country's international image, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which organized the program. (By Lee Hsin-Yin)