A Different Sort of College!

A wave of lifelong learning programs is overturning what going to college means! In Europe, Germany created the Volks­hoch­schulen (“people’s colleges”) in the early 20th century. Ever since, they have been continually reinventing themselves, helping to lay a strong foundation for national development. In the United States, community colleges also allow adults who dropped out of college to continue their educations. In Asia, South Korea introduced a college credit banking system in 1997, helping adults attain a degree by piecing together credits from a variety of institutions.

And in just 20 years community colleges in Taiwan have evolved into truly impressive institutions that offer “new Taiwan studies”—a vibrant and organic locally focused curriculum and approach to education. New Taiwan studies combine paper-based research with farsighted and varied forms of social activism.