International students from Taiwan Tech excelled in the 12th “Taiwan is wonderful!" photo and writing contest, organized by the Taiwan Scholarship and Huayu Enrichment Scholarship Office. They secured second and third places, along with two honorable awards. The four award-winning Taiwan Tech students from Malaysia, Guatemala, India, and Turkey, capture Taiwan's unique charm through their perspectives as international students.

Second-place winner Xin-Yu Li from Malaysia shared that a mandatory photography course in her freshman year in the Department of Design taught her many photography techniques and found her passion for the art. Due to limited opportunities to showcase her work, Xin-Yu Li hoped to present Taiwan's rich and diverse landscape through her lens in this competition during her senior year.

Xin-Yu Li, a senior design student from Malaysia, won second place. She hopes to convey through her lens the timeless essence of Taiwan's emotions and cultural heritage.

Xin-Yu Li captured a dragon statue in Ximending using a film camera.

For this competition, Xin-Yu Li spent two weeks exploring every corner of Taipei. From vintage barbershops to quaint old streets, she felt the perfect blend of traditional nostalgia and modern vitality. She said, “All of these are witnesses to the passage of time and the unique scenery of Taiwan”.

Bryan Roberto Flores Guerrero from Guatemala won third place in the competition. His works were photographed in various locations such as Qixingtan, Tamsui, Sun Moon Lake, and Guanshan in Taitung, which he considers “treasure spots”. Bryan, a second-year master's student in architecture, typically focuses on landscapes and buildings in his photography. The only photo featuring people among his winning pieces was taken in Tamsui. He aimed to capture the purple-orange sky but unexpectedly found the blend of sea and sky made people appear as if floating in the air. Bryan hopes to share the beauty of these locations through his work, conveying the message, “In our busy lives, don't forget to pause and appreciate the beauty around us”.

Bryan Roberto Flores Guerrero, a second-year master's student in the Department of Architecture, won third place. His method for finding inspiration is to “put down your phone and observe the beauty around you”.

The only photo featuring a person among Bryan Roberto Flores Guerrero's award-winning works was taken in Tamsui.

Paromeeta Bandyopadhyay, a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, has won the best work in the competition for two consecutive years. She describes Taiwan as her second home. She is deeply fascinated by the rich culture, magnificent scenery, and warm people. Through her work, she aims to express her love for Taiwan and showcase its diversity and inclusiveness. Despite not having formal photography training, winning this award has given her significant encouragement to continue her passion for photography. Additionally, after sharing her success with friends back in India, they expressed excitement about visiting Taiwan in the future.

Paromeeta Bandyopadhyay, a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, highlighted that Taiwan is a vibrant island that deeply fascinates her. Her photographs of Taiwan's landscapes have also been recognized as a masterpiece.

Paromeeta Bandyopadhyay photographed at the Beitou Hot Spring Museum.

Ebrar Tunc, a second-year master's student in the Department of Industrial Engineering from Turkey, expressed her love for capturing moments of life through photography and enjoying cycling along the riverside in Taipei. The winning entry this time is a precious moment she captured while riding a bicycle. Ebrar hopes to share the joy she experiences while cycling through her work and encourages others to seek their own tranquility and happiness in nature or everyday life.

Ebrar Tunc, a second-year master's student in the Department of Industrial Engineering, has a passion for cycling and often captures beautiful moments along the way through photography.

Ebrar Tunc said with a smile that she often gets so excited about capturing special moments that she nearly falls off her bike. But it's through this passion that she's had the opportunity to meet many lovely Taiwanese people. She believes that Taiwan's sincerity and warmth are precious qualities, allowing her to integrate more deeply into local life—a warmth she feels may not be as easily found in other countries.

The works of these four international students not only showcase the beauty of Taiwan through their eyes but also reflect their deep emotions and unique experiences in this land. Through their lenses, Taiwan's enchanting charm shines through diverse cultural backgrounds.

Xin-Yu Li (1^st from right) and Bryan Roberto Flores Guerrero (1^st from left) respectively won second and third place in the 12th “Taiwan is wonderful!" photo and writing contest.