New York, NY — August 22, 2025 — On a bright summer day in New York City, sixty members of the Formosa Association of Student Cultural Ambassadors (FASCA) from three chapters—Albany, New York, and Princeton—embarked on a cultural journey blending sightseeing, reflection, and art appreciation. Their day in Manhattan culminated with a guided tour at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), one of the world’s most celebrated institutions. The visit gave members not only the chance to encounter iconic artworks but also to reflect on identity, heritage, and the role of culture in society.
Before stepping into MoMA, the group explored the lively stretch of Fifth Avenue, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of New York’s commercial and cultural core. Students marveled at storefronts of the NBA Store, Adidas’ global flagship, and the newly opened HOKA store—symbols of the city’s global influence in sports, fashion, and design. Along the way, members paused to admire the striking window displays of Eden Gallery, where bold contemporary art sparked conversation about how creativity exists not only in museums but also in everyday spaces.
The group also stopped at landmarks. At Rockefeller Center, they admired the art deco architecture and imagined the plaza bustling with skaters in winter. Just blocks away, the spires of St. Patrick’s Cathedral offered a serene counterpoint to the city’s constant motion.
“I’ve seen pictures of Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, but being there in person made me realize how diverse New York’s culture really is,” said Sophie Jian, a FASCA Albany member. “It felt like history, architecture, and modern life were all coming together on one street.”
At MoMA, the students joined a guided tour through the museum’s fourth and fifth floors, encountering works that challenged artistic traditions. The tour encouraged them to look beyond surface beauty and consider the deeper questions posed by artists—about society, identity, and the human condition.
From the swirling skies of Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night to the bold geometry of Pablo Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, students saw the power of art to stir emotion and provoke thought. They also admired masterpieces by Claude Monet, Salvador Dalí, and other figures who shaped modern visual culture.
For many, the highlight was seeing The Starry Night in person. “I’ve studied Van Gogh in school, but standing in front of the real painting was completely different,” said Emily Wang, FASCA New York member. “It almost felt alive, like you could feel his emotions through the brushstrokes.”
For second-generation Taiwanese Americans in the group, the abstract and experimental nature of much of the art resonated as a metaphor for their layered cultural journeys. “Seeing these artists combine different ideas and perspectives made me think about how I balance my Taiwanese roots with my American life—it’s like art reflecting our own identities,” noted Tessa Liu, a FASCA Princeton member.
The experience underscored how art can act as both a mirror of society and a spark for innovation. By challenging convention, modern art invites curiosity and critical thinking—qualities that align with FASCA’s mission to foster leadership, culture, heritage, and service among Taiwanese American youth.
“I never thought art could connect so closely with leadership,” said Rohit Barua, a FASCA Princeton member. “But the way these artists challenged norms made me realize that leadership also means being willing to try new things, even if they seem uncomfortable at first.”
Beyond individual insights, the visit fostered dialogue among chapters. Members reflected on how the reinterpretation evident in modern art could inspire their own roles as cultural ambassadors—bridging traditions and reshaping heritage in a new American context. Just as artists reimagined traditional forms to express contemporary ideas, FASCA members see themselves reinterpreting Taiwanese culture for a global audience.
By the end of the day, participants left MoMA feeling inspired, enriched, and more connected—not only to art but also to one another and their shared journeys. The combination of exploring Fifth Avenue’s landmarks, pausing at Eden Gallery’s vibrant displays, and immersing themselves in MoMA’s galleries gave them a holistic perspective on how creativity manifests in many forms, from public spaces to timeless masterpieces.
Reported by FASCA Princeton — Clara Risso (陳艾琳)
