The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point has a long history of promoting international educational experiences for its students and faculty members. In March 2026, Tobias Barske, assistant dean of the School of Humanities and Global Studies and professor of German, had the opportunity to connect with fellow international educators in Taiwan and bring back new ideas for students to continue this tradition.
Barske was selected as part of a delegation of 16 international education administrators from across the United States to visit Taiwan and participate in a Fulbright seminar. Fulbright Programs offer international academic exchanges aimed at supporting positive relationships between the United States and other countries, funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The large array of programs offer opportunities for students, scholars, educators and professionals to teach and learn in more than 160 countries worldwide.
The delegation spent two weeks in Taiwan centered on higher education systems and best practices in the country, exploring potential for collaboration with several Taiwanese colleges and universities. The trip also provided delegates opportunities for immersive experiences, including visits to high-caliber laboratories, as well as architectural and cultural landmarks.
“They wanted us to have a good understanding of the educational landscape and the important relationship between Taiwan and the U.S.” Barske said. “Typically, we would visit two to three universities per day, which included hearing from featured faculty members, touring campuses and meeting key stakeholders to find common ground.”
In searching for potential partner institutions in Taiwan, one of Barske’s goals is to build a future relationship where Taiwanese students could come to UWSP for an experience that is not content specific.
“For many years UWSP ran an English program over the summer that hosted students from Germany and Japan. It would be great to find partner institutions in Taiwan, especially with their push to have more bilingual citizens,” he said.
UWSP also has a history of bringing Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants (FLTAs) to the institution. As FLTAs, educators will join campuses as teaching assistants to enhance understanding of their respective languages and cultures.
One of the biggest barriers to UWSP students seeking international experiences is being pushed out of their comfort zones. By bringing international students and scholars to campus, there is room for open dialogue about cultural practices and differences.
“If you have a student who is learning a language, they may do very well in the classroom but there is limited access to the sort of cultural nuances that they can provide,” he said. “FLTAs have firsthand knowledge that they can share about their home regions, and if you connect students with these lived experiences it opens awareness and interest in a new culture.”
In addition to bringing in students and teaching assistants, Barske hopes that this will create new pathways for international opportunities in several areas on campus. Taiwan is a hub for technological and scientific innovation that he hopes UWSP students will be interested in moving forward.
“I think there are real opportunities for our students to gain experience in chemistry and biochemistry, and even pursue graduate studies,” said Barske. “We also have an ROTC program where I think students could be connected to study abroad language proficiency programs.”
Beyond the ability to connect with Taiwanese institutions and professionals, the chance to meet with administrators from American colleges and universities was invaluable. Representatives from institutions of various calibers made up the delegation, allowing them to share ideas and practices in international education at their respective campuses.
“It was quite eye-opening and invigorating to hear what other people at different institutions do and get some new ideas,” said Barske. “The group got along really well and came in with a global mindset and willingness to learn.”
Upon his return, Barske feels rejuvenated in his work. He looks forward to planting seeds for potential study abroad experiences for UWSP students and finding new ways for them to interface with international cultures in central Wisconsin. “It can be easy to be bogged down in our daily work and not seek opportunities like this,” said Barske. “This was an opportunity for me to dream again, immerse myself in something new and see what education can look like in a different cultural context.”
