On March 8, eight faculty members and students from Fo Guang University’s Department of Communication and Department of Product and Media Design met with Venerable Chueh Fan, the Abbess of Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Temple of Toronto, at the FGS Taipei Vihara. The meeting was arranged as Venerable Chueh Fan returned to Taiwan for a conference at Fo Guang Shan Monastery.

Initiated by intern student Liyun Wei, the exchange was attended by Professor Dazhong Wu from the Department of Product and Media Design and Professor Yulin Zhang from the Department of Communication, along with three former overseas interns. The discussion focused on sharing internship experiences, exploring future internship opportunities atFGS Toronto, and considering potential career paths abroad.

Venerable Chueh Fan commended the enthusiasm and professionalism of Fo Guang University interns, emphasizing their contributions in bringing innovative ideas to FGS Toronto. She highlighted the value of overseas internships, which enable students to apply their knowledge in a broader environment, engage with local communities, and enhance their international perspectives and language skills. "These invaluable experiences will help students become globally competitive professionals," she remarked. She also encouraged students to consider future opportunities in Canada, including visa applications, career planning, and the transition from internships to employment.

Professor Zhang noted that the discussion provided valuable insights into students’ overseas learning experiences, which will help refine internship programs to better meet students' needs. "We look forward to collaborating with Fo Guang Shan’s international branches to developa well-structured internship model that fosters students' growth through practical experience," he added.

Students shared that participating in the daily operations of an FGS overseas branch deepened their understanding of international Buddhist outreach while strengthening their cross-cultural communication and professional skills. During the exchange, they actively discussed their internship experiences and offered suggestions for future program improvements. Venerable Chueh Fan addressed each question, encouraging students to embrace new opportunities and reaffirming the temple’s role as an international platform where young talents can showcase their skills and expertise.

Liyun Wei and Yiheng Li, who recently completed their winter break internship, reflected on their experience: "This overseas internship allowed students from both departments to collaborate on designing a mascot for FGS Toronto. We are grateful for thetrust and challenges presented by the monastics. This experience has strengthened our confidence in our future careers, and we hope to continue contributing to Humanistic Buddhism."

The overseas internship program was successfully completed under the guidance of Professors Zhang and Wu, with the support of FGS Toronto. The students expressed their gratitude to Fo Guang Shan Monastery for providing opportunities to apply their skills in real-world settings and expand their global perspectives. Moving forward, Fo Guang University willcontinue to promote overseas internship programs, allowing more students to engage in international exchanges and practical training. Through these experiences, students will develop a broader worldview and professional expertise, laying a strong foundation for their future careers.