As many junior students prepare for overseas exchange programs and international internships, they often encounter ambiguous workplace boundaries and cultural differences when entering multinational companies, translation agencies, or educational settings. To enhance gender equality awareness and promote a safer learning and internship environment, the College of Foreign Languages and Literatures at Tamkang University held a gender equality seminar on June 2 in FL106. The seminar was presented by Assistant Professor Wei-Ting Wang of the Department of English, who shared insights on gender boundaries in cross-cultural interactions, workplace self-protection, and teachers' responsibilities in reporting incidents of sexual harassment.

Wang noted that students working under foreign supervisors or in overseas environments may mistakenly interpret inappropriate behavior as merely a "cultural difference." She emphasized that "cultural differences are never an excuse for inappropriate conduct." Any behavior that violates an individual's wishes or causes discomfort should be recognized as crossing personal boundaries. Drawing on real cases from internship settings, she illustrated how unequal power relationships can make students reluctant to speak up for fear of affecting their grades or performance evaluations. She encouraged students to document incidents by preserving messages, emails, or recordings whenever appropriate, and to seek assistance from their department or the University as early as possible.

Addressing sexual harassment, Wang advised students to communicate their boundaries clearly and respectfully. Practical strategies include responding with clarifying questions, creating physical distance, and expressing discomfort in a calm but firm manner. She also reminded faculty members that when students seek help, they should avoid excessive questioning about the details of an incident and, in accordance with legal requirements, complete the mandatory report within 24 hours to ensure timely support and protection.

In her concluding remarks, Wang stressed that every student has the right to bodily autonomy and personal dignity, whether studying or working in Taiwan or abroad. Students facing emergencies may contact Tamkang University's 24-hour Campus Security Center hotline (+886-2-2621-5656, ext. 2119 or 2110). Those requiring emotional or psychological support are encouraged to reach out to the Counseling, Career Development, and Learning Center (ext. 2221), where professional assistance and resources are readily available.

Jia-Chi Lee, a junior student in the Department of Japanese, who will soon begin an internship at an overseas hotel, said the seminar reinforced an important message: "If I don't like it, I don't like it." She added that the session gave her greater confidence to express her feelings and establish clear personal boundaries whenever she encounters situations that make her uncomfortable.

SDGs #SDG03 Good Health and Well-Being #SDG04 Quality Education #SDG05 Gender Equality #SDG08 Decent Work and Economic Growth #SDG17 Partnerships for the Goals

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