EUREKA (June 22, 2023) – Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) Superintendent Michael Davies-Hughes visited Taiwan from June 1 – 9, 2023, as part of a six-person US education delegation invited by the Taiwanese Ministry of Education (MOE).  The MOE and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco have hosted a series of visits by senior education officials in different states.  Other delegates on this trip were from Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and Oklahoma.

Davies-Hughes engaged in a number of meetings with education leaders from Taiwan and participated in an international forum where he presented on the current status and characteristics of TK-12 education in California, with an emphasis on Humboldt County.  The purpose of the visit to Taiwan was to deepen mutual understanding and explore further possibilities for international educational exchange and cooperation.

In addition to meeting with education officials, the cultural visit also included visits to the renowned National Palace Museum, which houses a vast collection of artifacts; the Ping-Lin Tea Museum, which showcases Taiwan’s unique tea culture; the iconic landmarks of Taipei 101 and Liberty Square; and the vibrant streets of Dadaocheng and Ning-Xia Night Market, which represent Taiwan’s local spirit. These diverse experiences allowed guests to immerse themselves in Taiwan’s beauty in a short time.

Upon his return to the USA, Davies-Hughes stated, “This was an unforgettable experience.  The country of Taiwan is fascinating; it’s a beautifully diverse country.  The Taiwanese people I met were very gracious and welcoming.  I am looking forward to helping advance the opportunities of educational exchanges and experiences for students and school staff from Taiwan and Humboldt County!”

Davies-Hughes added, “My favorite part of the trip was visiting Du-Xing Elementary School in Taichung City.  We were treated to student dance performances, art exhibitions, and we even had the chance to try calligraphy lessons in Mandarin!”