We were proud to join the Asian Studies Festival at Jagiellonian University in Kraków as an official partner. As one of the oldest universities in continuous operation in the world — and the alma mater of Nicolaus Copernicus — it was an incredible place to share our ideas about language learning, community building, and life in East Asia.
Organised by the Far East Students' Association of the Jagiellonian University, the festival brought together students and Asia enthusiasts from and beyond the academic world.
For us, it was also a milestone moment: both co-founders, Dorota and Antoine, took the stage to share their experiences and perspectives.
Learning Chinese Through Social Media and Community
Dorota's talk, Effective Chinese Language Learning Through Social Media and Community Building, explored a topic that has become central to Mandarin Zest's mission.
Speaking in her hometown of Kraków — and for the first time in an academic setting — she shared the story of how Mandarin Zest grew from a simple Substack newsletter into a global community of Chinese learners connected through Discord, Instagram, Substack and other platforms.
Her message was simple: social media is far more than a source of motivation. When used intentionally, platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube can create daily exposure to authentic language, making immersion more accessible than ever before. Just as importantly, they help learners find one another, build friendships, and stay motivated over the long term.
Working and Building a Career in Taiwan
Antoine's presentation, Working in Taiwan: Jobs, Networking & the Reality, focused on another side of engaging with Asia: building a professional life there.
Drawing from his own experiences, he spoke about career opportunities in Taiwan, the importance of networking and language learning, and the realities that professionals and entrepreneurs encounter when relocating to the region. His talk offered practical insights for students and young professionals interested in choosing Taiwan for neither next spot.
Together, the two presentations highlighted different but complementary paths: learning the language and creating opportunities beyond the classroom.
Thank You, Kraków
We're incredibly grateful to the Far East Students' Association of the Jagiellonian University for the invitation and the thoughtful conversations that followed both talks.
Events like the Asian Studies Festival remind us why we started Mandarin Zest in the first place. Interest in the Chinese language continues to grow, and people need spaces where they can explore that curiosity and connect with others.
We loved meeting so many passionate students and language learners, and we hope to see many of you join the Mandarin Zest community in the future.
