​To support the students who traveled halfway across the globe to study in Taiwan, the Fo Guang University (FGU) Chinese Language Center hosted a lively "2026 World Cup Watch Party" today (the 26th). Thirty-five Paraguayan scholarship students studying Mandarin in Taiwan gathered with fiery enthusiasm. Decked out in their iconic red-and-white striped national jerseys and proudly waving their red, white, and blue national flags, the students stared at the big screen with sweaty palms, sending powerful cheers across the ocean to their hometown heroes.

​Facing off against an equally matched Australian team, the Paraguayan national squad showcased incredible defense and determination on the pitch. Ultimately, their tenacious fighting spirit earned them a draw against Australia, securing their "advancement to the Round of 32"! The moment their qualification was confirmed, the viewing party absolutely erupted! The international students jumped for joy, screaming and celebrating around their flags while flashing victory signs, pushing the atmosphere to an absolute fever pitch.

​FGU Chinese Language Center Director Hsu Sheng-he was also present throughout the match, passionately cheering alongside the students. Director Hsu noted that these young individuals have crossed half the globe to study Mandarin in Taiwan. "For students so far from home, emotions run even higher," he shared. In this moment woven with celebration and tears of joy, football served as the perfect bond to unite their homesick hearts.

​The Chinese Language Center specifically organized this watch party and provided an abundance of free refreshments to serve as the strongest support system for these international students. The goal was to help them find a sense of belonging and a "home away from home" at FGU amidst their intensive language courses—and to translate the national team's fighting spirit on the pitch into ultimate motivation for their ongoing Mandarin studies!