Taiwan study-abroad trip gives UOG students insight for agritourism and meat processing in Guam

The two-week Taiwan Agritourism Study Abroad Program, held July 2–16, 2025, was the fourth to be organized by the UOG Asia Pacific Studies Center in partnership with the College of Natural & Applied Sciences and School of Business & Public Administration.

“Our students witnessed first-hand how agriculture, sustainability, and innovation converge in Taiwan’s rural and industrial sectors,” said Rachael T. Leon Guerrero, dean of CNAS. “They returned with ideas that could influence Guam’s agriculture diversification — especially agritourism, sustainable food systems, and community well-being.”

Hands-on trainings and industry visits

Students split into two groups: 17 studying agribusiness and nine focusing on meat and poultry processing. Both groups engaged in hands-on trainings and industry visits designed to expose students to a broad range of operations and ventures. Some of these were agritourism businesses, including an orchid garden and a pastry museum where you can make your own souvenir pineapple cake. Other sites visited included food research centers, a green-energy greenhouse, and a tea culture museum, to name a few.

“Taiwan shows how rural areas can thrive while staying true to cultural identity. I also saw how agritourism can be interactive, family-friendly, and educational,” said UOG agriculture major Kateri Taimanao.

Students on the trip represented majors from agriculture to business, health science, nursing, and bio-medicine. Nursing major Grace Dela Cruz said she became familiar with the term “engagement marketing” while touring the Taiwan agribusinesses.

“It’s where businesses will offer you an experience or service, whether a farm tour, a museum-like display, or a tasting event,” she said. “After you experience their product and connect with their brand, they bring you to an area of their facility where you can purchase their products or souvenirs to remember the experience — it’s a rather smart tactic.”

'Invaluable,' cross-disciplinary experience

The cross-disciplinary trip agenda included a chance for the students to obtain an international tea master certification that taught them to identify and pair teas — an experience in culture, agritourism, and hospitality. At the National Taipei University of Nursing & Health Sciences, they then explored assistive technologies that enhance mobility and reduce risks for farmers.

Meanwhile, the meat and poultry group visited Taiwan’s largest meat processing plant, T-ham, as well as slaughter facilities specializing in pork, chicken, and beef. They also gained hands-on skills in the fabrication and breakdown of carcasses for goats and swine.

“This experience was invaluable as we work to train a competent workforce on island capable of supporting and advancing the meat and poultry industry — a key component for food security for our community,” said UOG assistant professor of animal science Dr. Jeng-Hung Liu.

Having hosted agriculture-focused study-abroad experiences the past four years, UOG associate professor of agricultural economics Kuan-Ju Chen said he has seen it transform the students in profound ways.

“Many return with a stronger sense of global awareness, deeper cultural appreciation, and an enhanced ability to connect classroom knowledge with real-world applications,” he said.

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This study-abroad experience was made possible, first and foremost, by a major gift from the J. Yang & Family Foundation, which has generously provided substantial funding for scholarships and international exchange programs. Additional support came from grants administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food & Agriculture (NIFA) — including the Resident Instruction Grant and the NextGen Grant (via Northern Marianas College) — along with assistance from the UOG Global Learning & Engagement office.