Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network-NIA Tainan City Service Center gathers new immigrants to make rolled paper cards for Mother’s Day

Overstayers self-report for reduced penalty! Let NIA help you home!

From February 1st to June 30th,2023, National Immigration Agency will promote the "Expanded Overstayers Voluntary Departure Program".Those who report yourself during the program period will be treated "leniently," receiving punishments like no detention, minimum fine of NT$2,000, and exempted from entry ban. NIA encourages expanded overstayers to report themselves.National Immigration Agency also noted that the Legislative Yuan has been provided draft modifications to some provisions of the entry-exit and immigration legislation for assessment.From February 1st to June 30th,2023, National Immigration Agency will promote the "Expanded Overstayers Voluntary Departure Program". Photo provided by NIAAmendments to increase penalties:In order to prevent foreigners from overstaying in our country, the overdue fine will be increased from NT$2,000 ~ NT$10,000 to NT$30,000 yuan ~ NT$150,000, and the certain period of time of banned from entering Taiwan will be increase from a maximum of 3 years to a maximum of 10 years.National Immigration Agency has set up a free consultation hotline 0800-024-881 (ByeBye) for this program, which provides multi-language services. Citizens and foreigners who have overstayed can also use this hotline to inquire.

New immigrant mothers from all over the world share how Mother's Day is celebrated in their hometown

Bilingual Learning

Mother's Day is observed on the second Sunday in May in Taiwan and many other nations, however other nations observe Mother's Day on different dates and in different ways in accordance with their own traditions. In Taiwan, there are a lot of new immigrant moms from Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia. They discussed with [Taiwan Immigrants’ Global News Network] readers the dates of Mother's Day celebrations in their hometown and how those celebrations differed from those in Taiwan.In Indonesia, children will wash their mother's feet to thank their mother for their efforts.Photo reproduced from 陳霈玲Belinda Facebook [Indonesia]Mother's Day is observed in Indonesia on December 22. Children bringing basins of water to assist wash their mothers' feet is the most somber way to honor Mother's Day. Children might have a greater understanding of their moms' devotion and hard work via this practice.[Vietnam]Vietnamese Women's Day is celebrated on October 20 and International Women's Day is observed on March 8. However, there is no official Mother's Day in Vietnam.On October 20, Vietnamese Women's Day, which is far more significant than International Women's Day, is one of them. This day is also observed as Mother's Day in honor of the efforts made by Vietnamese women in the past to the struggle for national freedom.Vietnam Women's Day is more important, in order to thank and commemorate the contribution of Vietnamese women in the struggle for national independence in the past.Photo reproduced from 東南亞新視野 FacebookRead more: The World Fairy Tale Exhibition has been launched at the Taichung City New Immigrant Arts Center[Thailand]The 12th of August, which is also Queen Mother Sirikit's birthday, marks Mother's Day in Thailand. The previous monarchs of Thailand, Bhumibol and Sirikit, are adored and respected by the Thai people. As a result, Thai Father's Day is celebrated on King Bhumibol's birthday, while Mother's Day is celebrated on Queen Sirikit's birthday.Thailand's Mother's Day is August 12th, which is Queen Mother Sirikit's birthday.Photo reproduced from 東南亞新視野 FacebookRead more: Overstayers self-report for reduced penalty! Let NIA help you home!Furthermore, Mother's Day is observed as a national holiday in Thailand. People will display the national flag and blue flags on that day to commemorate Queen Mother Sirikit's birthday since blue is the color that symbolizes Queen Mother.Jasmine is the official flower of Mother's Day in Thailand, and the country also has songs dedicated to the occasion.The representative flower of Thailand's Mother's Day is jasmine.Photo reproduced from PixabayMother's Day is celebrated on the last Sunday in May in France. Children cook macaroni noodles in a variety of forms and make and wear noodle necklaces for their moms. The day after Mother's Day and Father's Day, May 8, is observed as Parents' Day in South Korea.There are different flowers representing Mother's Day from different countries, and lily of the valley will be sent in Hungary.Photo reproduced from Tajvan Magyarországon Facebook Many people believe that the carnation, a symbolic flower, is the best flower for moms. Hungary will send lilacs or lily of the valley on Mother's Day. Although Mother's Day is observed on various days and in various ways, the sentiment of gratitude for moms remains the same. Make moms feel joyful on Mother's Day with a thoughtful present, whether it's for your mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, or any other special mother.

Foreign students participate in Matsu Pilgrimage to experience Taiwan's religion and cultural event

Bilingual Learning

The Taipei Language Institute (TLI) takes international students on Matsu Pilgrimage throughout Taiwan so that more of them can get a chance to learn about traditional Taiwanese culture. Many students were quite curious about the fireworks and firecrackers set off along the Pilgrimage, and deeply experienced the unique Taiwanese religion culture. Taipei Language Institute also invited the well-known host Belle Yu (于美人) to introduce the legends of Matsu and the culture of Matsu Pilgrimage to foreign friends.Read more: Overstayers self-report for reduced penalty! Let NIA help you home!Foreign students participate in Matsu Pilgrimage to experience Taiwan's religion and cultural event.Photo reproduced from TLI YouTube ChannelWe can see from the interviews in the video that while many foreign friends are unfamiliar with Taiwan's deities, however, they are highly interested in learning more about Matsu and pilgrimage traditions.Read more: Emmy-winning host Erica Olsen experiences the beauty of TaiwanTaipei Language Institute also invited the well-known host Belle Yu (于美人) to introduce the legends of Matsu and the culture of Matsu Pilgrimage to foreign friends.Photo reproduced from TLI YouTube ChannelAccording to Discovery, one of the "Three Major Religious Events in the World" is the Matsu Pilgrimage of Dajia Jenn Lann Temple in Taiwan. Matsu once symbolized the faith and fortitude of fishermen. With more believers, Matsu gradually became an officially recognized goddess. In addition to being rich in historical and cultural significance, Matsu Pilgrimage is also a way for believers to fulfill their vows.What surprised the Japanese students was that fireworks are usually set off on the beach in Japanese festivals, but they are set off on the road in Taiwan.Photo reproduced from TLI YouTube ChannelThe foreign students experienced the enthusiasm and power brought by the Matsu belief on the way of the Matsu Pilgrimage. The foreign students said they liked the lively atmosphere and energetic people very much. What surprised the Japanese students was that fireworks are usually set off on the beach in Japanese festivals, but they are set off on the road in Taiwan.Read more: Kaohsiung's beautiful scenery featured on the cover of Hungarian travel magazine, attracting European touristsForeign students participate in Matsu Pilgrimage to experience Taiwan's religion and cultural event.Photo reproduced from TLI YouTube ChannelMany students expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to participate in such a unique experience after the event. Even if you are not a believer of Matsu, you may still get new insights and understandings from this cultural event.

NIA Tainan City Service Center gathers new immigrants to make rolled paper cards for Mother’s Day

Further Reading

Overstayers self-report for reduced penalty! Let NIA help you home!

New immigrant mothers from all over the world share how Mother's Day is celebrated in their hometown

Foreign students participate in Matsu Pilgrimage to experience Taiwan's religion and cultural event

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Taiwan 我來了

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