UC offers int’l internship, high-paying careers for its tourism students in Taiwan

CEBU CITY – The University of Cebu (UC) has finalized its international internship program in partnership with Dreamark TW, an organization that connects schools and partner hotels for tourism students to train in Taiwan’s hospitality industry, offering not only global exposure but also a promise of competitive earnings and long-term employment opportunities.

UC chairman Atty. Augusto Go told Manila Standard that the initiative builds on the university’s long-standing efforts to bring students beyond local training.   With 300 initial slots set for rollout, the program gives hope to UC’s around 800 graduating students in hospitality and tourism-related courses, some of whom may soon find themselves working in luxury hotels just a few hours away from home,

“This is not the first time we’ve sent students abroad,” Go said, citing previous programs in Europe, the United States, and Southeast Asia. “But Taiwan is even more practical. It is only two to three hours away, and parents can easily visit,” he noted.

That proximity makes overseas training more accessible, not just financially but emotionally, especially for families who want to stay connected while their children gain international experience, Go added.

                                      UC, Dreamark TW internship program

According to Dreamark TW legal counsel, Christopher San Pedro, the partnership allows students to undergo on-the-job training (OJT) in Taiwan for six months to one year, placing them in real-world hospitality environments, from front office operations to food and beverage services, in established hotels across key tourism destinations.

For students currently enrolled in UC’s TESDA-sponsored diploma programs, the opportunity is even more compelling: a direct pathway from free education to international experience, even a potentially stable, well-paying career, Go said.

San Pedro bared that more than the travel and exposure, what would excite many students is the earning potential. Participants in the program may receive a monthly allowance of around NT$29,500, equivalent to at least ₱50,000.

San Pedro added, about NT$5,000 will be deducted for accommodation. Some partner hotels may also provide meals and overtime pay, further increasing take-home income.  For many students, especially those from modest backgrounds, this transforms the internship from a requirement into a life-changing opportunity.

“Filipino students are highly regarded.  They are proficient in English and naturally service-oriented, which are qualities that hotels value. We connect students and schools with partner hotels to provide quality international internships that are now more accessible,” San Pedro said.

San Pedro noted that interns who perform well have a strong chance of being absorbed by their host companies after completing their OJT. A student who begins as an intern could transition into a full-time employee, he pointed out and demand for Filipino hospitality workers in Taiwan remains high, driven by their strong communication skills, facility with English and service-oriented mindset.

This is not just training. Students can actually earn while learning, Go said, expressing optimism about the program’s impact.  Applicants will undergo online interviews with prospective employers prior to deployment to ensure alignment between the student’s skills and the hotel’s requirements.

According to San Pedro, Dreamark TW has already deployed 272 Filipino interns to Taiwan, with hundreds more lined up for future batches through partnerships with institutions in Luzon.  With UC now joining the network, the program is expected to scale significantly, with long-term projections reaching up to 10,000 student beneficiaries in the next few years, San Pedro noted.

The initial batches, however, will begin modestly, targeting 300 to 400 students, allowing both UC and Dreamark TW to ensure quality training and proper support systems, San Pedro said.

For UC students, especially those in the TESDA-funded diploma programs, the timing could not be more aligned.  The scholars, many of whom were previously unable to afford college, are now receiving free education, allowances, and training, and may soon step into international internships that offer both experience and income, Go stated.

Go added that before deployment, the university will conduct on-site inspections and validations of partner facilities to ensure that training environments meet standards of safety, legitimacy, and quality.  “We will make sure that our students are placed in secure and credible establishments,” Go said.

Across UC’s five major campuses -- UC Main, Banilad, Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM), METC Mambaling, and South (Pardo-Talisay), there are currently about 4,000 students enrolled in hospitality-related programs.  For these students, Taiwan is not just a destination but a promise that after years of study, sacrifice, and perseverance, something better is waiting, Go noted. (Photos: UC/Google Images)