“What is soft power? It is the ability to get what you want through attraction rather than coercion or payments. It arises from the attractiveness of a country’s culture, political ideals, and policies.”
— Joseph S. Nye Jr., Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics
Soft power is not built in government offices or shaped by press releases. It grows in the real world, in the experiences people have and the stories they share. The most influential countries do not force their way into global consciousness—they make others want to be part of their story. The United States did not force-feed the world Hollywood or the Ivy League—instead, people bought into those dreams on their own. France did not need a state campaign to convince people that its food, fashion, and art were worth admiration. South Korea did not make K-pop a global sensation through political strategy; instead, it exploded because people genuinely loved it. The key is making people want to be part of the story.
Taiwan may be locked out of most diplomatic circles, but it has all the tools necessary to define its own narrative: a working democracy, a cutting-edge economy, and a cultural identity blending tradition with modern creativity. Such ingredients can attract the world’s attention on their own terms. Yet, one of Taiwan’s strongest but most underutilised soft power assets is its international student body, thousands of students who come to Taiwan each year and leave with stories that shape its global image. They are all living proof of Taiwan’s openness, innovation, and global reach. Given the right platform, they could be Taiwan’s most valuable voices.
Every year, 130,000 students choose Taiwan as their destination—not because they have to, but because they want to. Some come for a world-class education and to avoid a lifetime of debt. Others see Taiwan as a launchpad for their careers, a place where innovation flourishes and opportunities are growing. But for many, Taiwan offers something even more rare in the region: a society where ideas are debated freely, academic inquiry is not restricted, and a person’s future is not dictated by the state’s control.
For students from countries where political censorship is the norm, where the press is muzzled, or where questioning authority is a risk, Taiwan can feel like stepping into another world. They see democracy in action as a lived reality, with open debate, free speech, and pluralism holding truth to power. And when students leave Taiwan, they take their experiences, changed perceptions, and their stories with them. They go back home carrying a perception of Taiwan not defined by headlines or government accounts—but by what they saw with their own eyes.
But Taiwan is not yet making the most of this. If properly cultivated, the international student body can be a powerful organic soft power network Taiwan has at its disposal—one to counter misinformation, mould perceptions, and introduce Taiwan to parts of the world that know little about it.
Image: International students at National Taiwan University (undated). (Image source: National Taiwan University)
Taiwan as an Alternative to China’s Heavy-Handedness
China has spent billions trying to improve its image: funding Confucius Institutes, expanding state-controlled media, and bankrolling infrastructure projects to win over foreign governments Yet despite these efforts, Beijing’s reputation has not shifted as expected. Influence through economic pressure, political deals, and scripted messaging only works to a point. Loyalty bought or pressured is not loyalty at all—it is obligation, and people recognise that.
Instead of letting culture and ideas speak for themselves, China pushes hard to manipulate narratives. But soft power grows naturally when people are drawn to a country’s values, lifestyle, or achievements. The more China censors criticism and demands deference, the more it distances itself from the audiences it wants to reach. By contrast, Taiwan offers an alternative—where openness, honest exchange, and real human experiences foster connections in a way no amount of money or state direction could.
Students are choosing Taiwan because they are seeking what Beijing cannot offer. They want an education where politics does not dictate curriculums, a place where they can speak freely, and an environment where their future is not shaped by government messaging. Taiwan’s universities give them that space. As China’s academic institutions are increasingly influenced by state ideology, Taiwan encourages students to think for themselves, question ideas, and engage in debates that would be off-limits elsewhere. For many, this is the first time they have been in a system where knowledge is not filtered or dictated.
That exposure leaves a lasting impression. When students return home, they take their degrees with them—but most importantly, their experiences as well. They talk about what they saw, how they were treated, and what life in Taiwan was genuinely like. Personal stories, shared in conversations, on social media, and in professional circles, affect perceptions in a way no government announcement ever could.
A Democracy That Works
Taiwan may be a young democracy, but it is one of the strongest and most functional in the world.
- The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index ranks Taiwan 10th globally, above the United States, Japan, and South Korea.
- Taiwan is first in Asia for press freedom, a distinction that carries weight in a region where independent journalism is increasingly under threat.
- Taiwan has a stable and competitive electoral system, where leadership changes hands through elections, not force.
For many overseas students, especially those from countries with limited democracy, Taiwan is a real-world example of what an accountable, open, and participatory government looks like. They see protests that are not crushed, journalists who can challenge authority, and leaders accountable to the public.
Beyond governance, Taiwan excels in technology, innovation, and global industries, producing over 90 percent of the world’s advanced semiconductors, an achievement that ensures its place in global supply chains. It is making massive strides in renewable energy—notably offshore wind—thereby positioning itself as a leader in sustainable development. And its digital democracy initiatives, such as participatory platforms like vTaiwan, allow for public engagement in policy decisions—something fascinating for students from countries where government transparency is non-existent.
Taiwan’s success is a compelling story, one that deserves a wider audience. And what is the best way to spread that story? Let those who have lived it tell it.
Why International Students Choose Taiwan
Studying abroad is a leap of faith. Students leave their families, their support systems, and their familiar environments in search of something better. When making that decision, they weigh multiple factors: including affordability, safety, quality of education, and cultural experience. Taiwan offers all of them.
- Tuition is affordable, significantly lower than in the United States, United Kingdom, or Australia.
- The cost of living is reasonable, with inexpensive housing, public transport, and healthcare.
- Taiwan is one of the safest places in the world, a major draw for students and their families.
- It is a hub for travel, allowing students to explore other parts of Asia during their studies.
Taiwan is welcoming. International students integrate into society, participate in festivals, and engage freely with local communities. Unlike in some countries, they are not monitored or treated with suspicion. That environment matters, and it shapes how students view Taiwan long after they leave.
What Taiwan’s Universities Can Do
For Taiwan’s universities, embracing soft power is about national reputation as well as building long-term global networks. But to work, universities need to take active steps to support and amplify student voices. The following steps could help:
- Creating mentorship programs that pair overseas students with domestic peers, helping them integrate more easily into Taiwan society.
- Developing digital storytelling workshops where students learn to document and share their experiences through blogs, videos, and social media.
- Hosting alumni networking events to keep former students connected to Taiwan, both socially and professionally.
- Encouraging cross-border collaborations between Taiwanese universities and international institutions.
Recent initiatives—for instance, the US-Taiwan Education Initiative and new partnerships with institutions like Arizona State University, Middlebury College, and the University of Washington—demonstrate how these collaborations are already gaining momentum. These examples ranging from Mandarin centers across the US to joint programs on semiconductors, highlight what can be built upon and scaled up further.
Incentivised measures will give students the means to better share experiences in an authentic, unfiltered way.
The Power of Shared Experiences
Soft power grows through real interactions and lived experiences. Taiwan’s international students are natural ambassadors, carrying Taiwan’s story into parts of the world where its name is regularly misunderstood or ignored. By investing in these students, as storytellers and future advocates, Taiwan can build an influence that is lasting, credible, and impossible to erase. The Japanese JET Program offers an exemplary model of how a state may convert educational exchanges into enduring geopolitical goodwill. Through personal contact and shared experience, soft power is not proclaimed—rather, it is cultivated, gently, organically, and lastingly. Taiwan might similarly mobilize its international students as emissaries of its story and spirit.
The main point: Real power is earned, not seized. Taiwan has already begun earning it through the people it welcomes. Now, it must empower them to share their experiences and amplify Taiwan’s voice globally.
