MANILA–At a young age, computer science student Jhev Aron Voluntate has already made history in his school- he is the first Filipino in Taiwan’s Kao-Yuan Vocational High School of Technology and Commerce in Kaoshiung City.
Jhev is one of the handful of students under the scholarship program of the Taiwan government’s Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) and Taipei Economic Cultural Office (TECO) Philippines.
Now on his third year of senior high school, Jhev is graduating in 2025 and plans to continue his course to earn his four-year bachelor’s degree in the prestigious university as part of the 3+4 Study Program.
Apart from his scholarship,Jhev was also among the first group of students bound for Taiwan whose airplane fare and baggage were sponsored by the Taiwan-Philippine Education Development Foundation (TPEDF) head by Mr. Allan Lin – Chief Operating Officer. Seeing potential in Jhev, Mr Lin also stands as his sponsor, mentor, and guardian while in Taiwan.
While Jhev is now thriving in a foreign land, it started out challenging, as he arrived there at the height of the pandemic in 2022 . He experienced quarantine for seven days and tested positive for COVID-19, but with his courage and determination, he recovered smoothly and adjusted well in his new surroundings.
Today, Jhev balances his schoolwork with part-time jobs. He is an intern at a factory as part of their training to apply technical knowledge and acquire new skills; this is a practical and fast way to learn and grow even before students formally join the workforce.
Having jobs makes Jhev realize the importance of hard work and that responsibility and patience will get you through life. Jhev muses, “I am able to pay for my meals and my fees in school and dormitory. I am also capable of helping my family financially and at the same time, enjoy life. During my free time, I go to the mall or bike around Taiwan to enjoy the scenery and bask in its culture. I like living in Taiwan because I am independent and have liberty. Since I am in a foreign country away from my family and childhood friends, I have learned to become more open minded when it comes to other customs and traditions. In school, I am surrounded by students from other countries. All these things helped me become more mature with a wider perspective. I can see myself staying here in the long term.”
Through his immersive education, Jhev has grown to be a well-balanced young adult, who in the future hopes to share the experience and joy of studying in Taiwan to deserving fellow Filipinos.
