Students from Taiwan visit YSU

By Denise Dick

denise_dick@vindy.com

Youngstown

Seventeen students from a university in Taiwan are practicing their English during a camp at Youngstown State University.

This marks the fifth year of the YSU-Lunghwa English Summer Camp, when students from Lunghwa University in Taiwan spend time on campus.

“In 2007, the wife of our former provost was colleagues with people at Lunghwa University, and they organized the first camp,” said Cynthia Vigliotti, YSU assistant professor of English/linguistics.

It became an annual event after that.

“They come for the opportunity to practice their English language skills,” Vigliotti said.

The students spend time on lessons and then apply what they learn.

“We had a lesson on leisure and then went to a [Mahoning Valley] Scrappers game,” she said.

The students each select an English name to use during their visit.

Chuang Chunting, who goes by Barbie, 19, said that so far, she has most enjoyed the atmosphere.

“To be with Americans, I feel happy,” she said.

The students are living in Cafaro House dormitory during their stay.

Yang Chialong, or Jenny, 21, said that it’s much larger than their dormitory at home. Lunghwa University, with between 5,000 and 6,000 students, is smaller than YSU with its about 15,000 students.

For Wei Hung Jeng, or Billy, 20, the most enjoyable part of his visit to the U.S. so far has been playing basketball.

But he also enjoyed the group’s trip to Cedar Point in Sandusky.

“It’s so exciting,” Billy said.