An international internship program finalized between UC and Dreamark TW will open doors for 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.
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.
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.
The partnership will allow 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.
UC chairman Atty. Augusto W. Go told the press in his office on April 16 that the initiative builds on the university’s long-standing efforts to bring students beyond local training.
“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.”
That proximity, he added, makes overseas training more accessible, not just financially but emotionally, especially for families who want to stay connected while their children gain international experience.
Learn & Earn
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, according to a Dreamark TW official.
Its legal counsel, Christopher San Pedro, added that about NT$5,000 will be deducted for accommodation. Some partner hotels may also provide meals and overtime pay, further increasing take-home income, he added.
For many students, especially those from modest backgrounds, this transforms the internship from a requirement into a life-changing opportunity.
“This is not just training. Students can actually earn while learning,” Go said, expressing optimism about the program’s impact.
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.
Demand for Filipino hospitality workers in Taiwan remains high, driven by their strong communication skills, facility with English, and service-oriented mindset.
“Filipino students are highly regarded,” San Pedro explained. “They are proficient in English and naturally service-oriented, which are qualities that hotels value.”
San Pedro clarified that Dreamark TW is not a recruitment agency but a bridge connecting schools and partner hotels, ensuring that students receive structured and meaningful training.
“We connect students and schools with partner hotels to provide quality international internships that are now more accessible,” he said.
Applicants will undergo online interviews with prospective employers prior to deployment to ensure alignment between the student’s skills and the hotel’s requirements.
Dreamark TW, established in 2022, has already deployed 272 Filipino interns to Taiwan, with hundreds more lined up for future batches through partnerships with institutions in Luzon.
TESDA scholars
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.
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, he added.
For UC students, especially those in the TESDA-funded diploma programs, the timing could not be more aligned, noted Go.
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.
University officials said the program reinforces UC’s mission of making education not just accessible, but transformative.
“This gives our students something to look forward to,” one official said. “Not just graduation but a real career path.”
UC assured that student safety remains a top priority.
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,” one official 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.
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