What is “International Liberal Arts Honors” (ILA Honors)?

International Liberal Arts Honors creates a space for curious minds from diverse backgrounds to engage with fundamental questions together.

We’re a community of students who find joy in ideas, value different perspectives, and believe education should transform how we see the world – not just prepare us for a job.

How is ILA Honors “International”?

  • The students in ILA are from many different countries and continents.
  • ILA is an immersive English environment. All courses, activities, and social interactions are in English.
  • While we accept students from any academic department of Tunghai, ILA is hosted in Tunghai’s International College, which has faculty and students from over 40 countries.

What is “Liberal Arts”?

  • The “liberal” in “liberal arts” is about freedom (liberal as in “liberty”): liberal arts is the “art” of being a free person.
  • The liberal arts equips students with thinking skills that deepen and enrich their studies and future careers.
  • Liberal arts education encourages us to step back and see the bigger picture, connecting individual experiences to broader human and social concerns.
  • Liberal Arts students develop the ability to consider issues from multiple perspectives and genuinely understand others’ viewpoints.

What is the “Honors” in ILA Honors?

“Honors” represents our commitment to students who approach education as a meaningful journey. Our program is designed for those who genuinely love learning, ask deep questions, and seek understanding for its own sake. Tunghai’s ILA provides these curious minds with:

  • Small discussion-oriented classes (capped at 16 students in a course).
  • An environment of like-minded students interested in asking and addressing important questions.
  • Forums with renowned visiting scholars.
  • An individualized capstone research sequence for each student.

In Taiwan, ILA Honors is unique: only Tunghai, founded in 1955 as Taiwan’s premiere liberal arts institution, offers this kind of learning opportunity.
 
If you think you might be a good fit for ILA Honors, you can apply here.