08/28/2026
📌 ▎ #教育 ▎
為深化國際交流、拓展青年國際視野，佛光山達拉斯講堂自6月29日起，接待來自台灣宜蘭佛光大學產品媒體設計系陳仕哲（Jason）及外文系李孟翰（Leonard）兩名學生，展開近兩個月海外實習。期間除參與達拉斯講堂學習與服務，也前往洛杉磯佛光山西來寺支援短期出家活動，並赴休斯頓中美寺參訪，在道場生活與文化交流中累積海外學習經驗。
詳細報導：https://www.lnanews.com/news/179793
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗙𝗼 𝗚𝘂𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀-𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗙𝗚𝗦 𝗗𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲
To promote international exchange and broaden young people’s global perspectives, Fo Guang Shan Dallas Temple has welcomed two students from Fo Guang University in Yilan, Taiwan—Jason Chen from the Department of Product and Media Design and Leonard Lee from the Department of Foreign Languages—for nearly two months of overseas internship experience beginning June 29.
During their stay, the students participated in learning and service at FGS Dallas Temple, assisted with a short-term monastic retreat at Hsi Lai Temple in Los Angeles, and visited Chung Mei Temple in Houston. Through temple life, service, and cross-cultural interaction, they gained valuable experience in learning and working abroad.
Jason Chen applied his design skills under the guidance of Venerable Huiren, Superintendent of FGS Dallas Temple. He assisted with the layout of Annual Dharma reports, online design projects, and the production of travel guides. Each Sunday, he also helped arrange the Main Shrine and plan the learning spaces of the Sunday Chinese school.
Jason shared that his internship taught him that design is not simply about making something visually attractive. More importantly, it requires understanding users’ needs, organizing information, and using visual communication to make content clearer and easier to understand.
This was also Jason’s first experience living abroad for an extended period. In addition to his work, devotees at the temple introduced him to Texas culture, local life, and food. He said the experience helped him understand that going overseas is more than simply “being in another country”; it is an opportunity to observe the world from a different perspective and rediscover oneself.
He believes his greatest gain was not only the improvement of his professional skills, but also learning to step outside his comfort zone. Facing different cultures, languages, and ways of life required him to communicate proactively and adapt. “There are some things you only discover after taking that first step—you never know how far you can go until you step out,” he said.
Leonard Lee, meanwhile, put his foreign-language skills into practice at the Buddha’s Light Private School (BLPS) Daycare operated by the temple. Through daily interaction with the children, he learned about food allergies, activity safety, and other aspects of childcare. He also introduced the erhu, which he had learned through a university club, to the classroom. Before returning to Taiwan, he performed two pieces spontaneously, adding a joyful touch to the sharing session.
Leonard originally planned to complete his internship in Taiwan. After receiving encouragement from a teacher and a former student who had previously interned in Dallas, he decided to seize the opportunity to experience life abroad. Although his application process was delayed several times because of missing documents, and he briefly considered giving up, he persevered and ultimately opened the door to a meaningful overseas learning experience.
Both students also became part of temple life, assisting with the design and preparation of the offerings area for the Emperor Liang Repentance Dharma Service, venue setup, and logistical work. They also traveled to Hsi Lai Temple to support the short-term monastic retreat, accompanying participants throughout the program and learning firsthand about communication, coordination, and responsibility through service.
Jason expressed his deep appreciation to Fo Guang Shan for providing the overseas internship opportunity, as well as to the monastics and devotees who accompanied and supported them throughout the journey. He said the experience gave them more than completed projects and internship experience—it became a meaningful memory of truly “stepping out into the world” and growing through the experience.
Nearly two months of learning and service not only broadened the international perspectives of the two students, but also demonstrated the role of Fo Guang Shan’s overseas temples as platforms for youth, cross-cultural exchange, and practical learning. Through learning, service, and exchange, young people are encouraged to broaden their horizons, engage with the world, and discover a better version of themselves.
