Bridging Cultures, Building Relationships: the Fulbright Program’s Legacy in Taiwan

Abstract Following Professor Hsin-huang Michael Hsiao’s induction into the Fulbright Taiwan Hall of Fame in 2023, this report explores the history and purpose of the Fulbright Program and examines the role of educational exchange in US–Taiwan relations. It analyses the programme’s goal of fostering mutual understanding and the mechanism of intergroup contact. Drawing on archival research carried out at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville and the National Archives in College Park, Maryland, this report traces the development of the US–Taiwan Fulbright Program, highlighting its contribution to building meaningful interpersonal connections that promote mutual understanding and international goodwill. As we celebrate Professor Hsiao’s achievements, this reflection situates the programme within the broader historical context of educational exchange and public diplomacy.