Five cadets study in Taiwan this spring
The University of North Georgia (¶¶Òõ̽̽App) continues to partner with military academies around the world to bring opportunities to ¶¶Òõ̽̽App and international cadets.
This spring, five ¶¶Òõ̽̽App cadets are studying in Taiwan.
"Taiwan has been one of ¶¶Òõ̽̽App's oldest international partners and currently has three international cadets attending ¶¶Òõ̽̽App for four years," retired Sgt. Maj. Terry Baumann, ¶¶Òõ̽̽App assistant director of global military programs, said. "Last semester ¶¶Òõ̽̽App hosted several cadets from Taiwan, and now they are hosting classmates from ¶¶Òõ̽̽App at their respective institutions. It truly is a small world."
¶¶Òõ̽̽App cadets Brandon Clark and Jaden Davidson, freshmen from Dallas, Georgia, who are both pursuing degrees in cybersecurity, are attending the Management College of the National Defense University, which is located in the capital city of Taipei. Clark and Davidson are both minoring in Chinese.
"I have never been outside of the United States until now, so this is a totally new experience for me. Besides the architecture of the buildings, everything here is almost completely different," Clark said. "Talking to the locals also presents its own set of challenges as my Chinese speaking ability is not the best. However, the people here are very kind, accommodating, and patient when I try to speak with them."
Last semester ¶¶Òõ̽̽App hosted several cadets from Taiwan, and now they are hosting classmates from ¶¶Òõ̽̽App at their respective institutions. It truly is a small world.
Retired Sgt. Maj. Terry Baumann
¶¶Òõ̽̽App assistant director of global military programs
Their experience has highlighted many cultural differences apart from the initial communication barrier, as well.
Davidson said she experienced firsthand nuanced forms of respect: giving another individual an item with two hands as opposed to one, and the famed friendliness of the Taiwanese population.
"One cab driver even went as far as to not charge me and another exchange cadet for a short cab ride," she said.
¶¶Òõ̽̽App cadets Eve Harris and Cassidy Hofer are attending Fu Hsing Kang College, also located in the capital city of Taipei. Harris, a sophomore pursuing a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Chinese language and literature, was born in China and adopted at the age of 10 by her mom. She hopes to use this excursion to prepare her for her future success.
"I want to go into military intelligence and hopefully put my language skills to use," Harris said. "As for after the military, I have always had aspirations to work with the FBI in their language department."
In addition to the aforementioned cadets, Maren Cooper is attending the Republic of China Military Academy located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Two semesters prior, she studied at Fu Hsing Kang College.
The Taiwanese cadets studying at ¶¶Òõ̽̽App for four years are exploring vastly different fields. Li Hung Chang is a junior pursuing a degree in criminal justice, while Yung Han Chou is a sophomore pursuing a degree in information systems and Chin-Chih Yuan is a freshman pursuing a degree in history.
Mullins excited to give back in return to ¶¶Òõ̽̽App
Alumnus Shawn Mullins will return to ¶¶Òõ̽̽App in October to raise funds for the Golden Eagle Band, a cadet specialty unit that helped shape his own journey.
Mund takes lead of alumni relations
Jordan Mund, a 2021 ¶¶Òõ̽̽App graduate, started her new role as executive director of alumni relations Sept. 1.
Officers grew thanks to opportunities at ¶¶Òõ̽̽App
Jaden Clark-Davidson and Brandon Clark-Davidson were two of the 20 ¶¶Òõ̽̽App cadets who commissioned Sept. 10 as second lieutenants in the Army and Georgia Army National Guard.
9/11 remembrance event set for Sept. 10 at ¶¶Òõ̽̽App
Col. Christian Durham, ¶¶Òõ̽̽App's professor of military science, will serve as the keynote speaker for ¶¶Òõ̽̽App's 9/11 remembrance ceremony. It will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10.