On May 22, 2025, the Master's Program in Counseling and Guidance at National Chengchi University (NCCU) warmly welcomed faculty and graduate students from the Master of Arts in Counseling program at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). The delegation was led by Dr. William Henninger, Chair of the Department of Family, Aging & Counseling, and Dr. Olivia Chen, and included eight graduate students. This marked the beginning of a two-week academic and cultural exchange in Taiwan.
The opening ceremony was hosted by Professor Joy Hu, Director of the Master's Program in Counseling at NCCU, with Dr. Chung-Hsin Chiang, Professor Trista Fu, Professor Pei-Yu Wu, and Professor Mu-Fan Chen also in attendance to warmly welcome the distinguished guests from afar. During the ceremony, Dr. William Henninger delivered an engaging presentation on the Dementia Simulation House, a highly innovative and educational facility located on the UNI campus. Co-developed by UNI's Gerontology and Counseling programs, it is the only dementia education facility in the United States that features a fully simulated residential environment.
The project is co-led by Dr. Elaine Eshbaugh, Professor of Gerontology, and Dr. Hanke, Counseling Program Coordinator. In addition to the simulation, the facility provides Dementia Friends training, caregiver support groups, and early cognitive screening services, all aimed at raising community awareness and fostering a more compassionate and inclusive approach to dementia care.
The exchange extended beyond academic presentations to rich interpersonal and cultural encounters. In the afternoon, students from both universities participated in a course led by Professor Trista Fu, which incorporated cultural sensitivity activities designed by Dr. Olivia Chen. These included two experiential learning exercises: Cultural Genogram and Drawing and the I-Statement. Through mapping three generations of their family's cultural values and reflecting on personal identity statements, students explored how ethnicity, gender, faith, values, and nationality intersect to shape their sense of self. This intersection of cultural reflection and psychological insight provided a profound opportunity for mutual learning and growth.
Following the activities, students were divided into four mixed groups to engage in cross-cultural case studies. They collaboratively analyzed counseling scenarios involving cultural differences, practicing clinical judgment and therapeutic communication from an intercultural perspective. The entire day was filled with passion, creativity, and mutual respect—showcasing NCCU's commitment to global counselor education and culturally grounded training.
This visit not only solidified a strong academic bridge between the two institutions but also initiated a meaningful dialogue between hearts and cultures. Through shared experiences, stories, and co-creation, both faculty and students discovered new ways of healing and connection.
Looking forward, NCCU's Counseling and Guidance Program remains committed to fostering intercultural partnerships and nurturing professionals with cultural sensitivity and a global vision in the helping professions.
(Written by Tina Wu)
