Janet Tsaur

Interviewer and Editor by: Frankie Yeh

VIS Alumni Association President Janet Tsaur reflects on her educational journey and the transformative experiences she had during her time at the school, her involvement in community projects, the development of her critical thinking skills, and her passion for global citizenship, discussing how VIS shaped her career aspirations in the field of mental health counseling.

Janet participated in community project "Taipei Up and Up," addressing language barriers between Taipei’s diverse demographic, showcasing the school's commitment to practical, problem-based learning and instilling in Janet a sense of responsibility toward her community.  Such small-scale community initiatives demonstrate the positive impact even small changes and actions can have.

Recalling a communication class where students and teachers watched movies and engaged in open discussions, fostering a culture of open dialogue, Janet realized there is no right or wrong answer in critical thinking, only opportunities to share ideas and perspectives. The environment not only honed her critical thinking skills but also made her more comfortable participating in discussions at the university level.

While Janet acknowledges the lack of specific classes on global citizenship during her time, she recognizes the school's commitment to this concept. Her involvement in the WISE21 event allowed her to showcase Taiwan's technological achievements on a global stage, opening her eyes to the importance of representing her country internationally and introduced her to the concept of global citizenship.

Janet notes the progress the school has made in terms of integrating the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its curriculums, reflected in initiatives relating to plastics and sustainability, showing the school's commitment to addressing global challenges. As an alumna, she is pleased to see VIS's ongoing efforts to prepare students to become responsible global citizens.