歡迎光臨高雄市新聞局

　　If you see a western man jogging along the banks of Love River on a bright, sunny morning, take a second look, as it could well be Mr. Forden from the American Institute in Taiwan (A.I.T.), Kaohsiung Branch Office.
　　Mr. Forden has been working as chief of the A.I.T. for two years and says that Kaohsiung has definitely changed a lot within that time. His favourite spot in Kaohsiung is Love River, where he frequently goes jogging. He especially likes the atmosphere in the mornings, as the riverbanks are busy with people exercising.
　　Mr. Forden feels that Kaohsiung is a very energetic city, which has changed in the time he has been here, but also continues to change rapidly.

He admits that it's not uncommon to see several different shops built and replaced on the one block of land within the space of a month. Rather than exploring Kaohsiung by car, Mr. Forden thinks the best way to see this interesting city is by foot - "despite the complaints from my family", he laughs.
Promoting and exchanging between Taiwan and U.S.A. with enthusiasm
　　The main goal of the A.I.T. is to improve the understanding between Taiwan and the U.S.A, thus providing the opportunity for the two countries to cooperatively work together.
　　In the past, A.I.T. worked together with National Sun Yat-sen University in sponsoring and also contributing the textbooks for the course - "Introduction to the United States of America". Furthermore, A.I.T. also sponsored many other projects with a range of universities, colleges, institutions, and government organisations. The sponsoring of projects includes recommending, planning, offering assistance in any necessary activities, or simply providing related information. Sponsoring projects such as those mentioned above enables A.I.T. to facilitate the exchange of culture and education between the United States and Taiwan.
　　In addition to the previously mentioned activities, A.I.T. also conveys media information about the U.S.A to Taiwan, and likewise sends Taiwanese political and economic news back to America. This exchange of media information allows American individuals as well as enterprises to learn more about Taiwan (especially southern Taiwan), to ultimately improve Taiwanese-American enterprise.
Free and fascinating life in Kaohsiung
　　Due to the nature of Mr. Forden's high position in the company, it means that he is on call almost twenty-four hours a day. However, in the times when he's not working, he enjoys exercising, reading, going to the night markets, or going to the beach. Going to the night markets is a regular weekend activity for Mr. Forden and his children, and being born in Southern California, means that Mr. Forden loves being close to the water, making places like Sizihwan and Kenting favourite spots in the Forden family. Mr. Forden and his family have also travelled around Taiwan three or four times and they are impressed and attracted by the east coast.
　　When friends from America come to visit Mr. Forden in Kaohsiung, he admits that a trip to the night markets is a must. Mr. Forden thinks sunny days in Kaohsiung are very beautiful, and therefore, won't pass up the opportunity to take friends to the former British Consulate to enjoy the ocean scenery and the view of the boats on the harbour. Visiting the lighthouses of Kaohsiung and also the 85-storied skyscraper are also highly recommended sights in Mr. Forden's opinion.
　　Mr. Forden's children have travelled regularly and also lived in many different countries, and have proved to have no trouble adapting to their new environments. Rather than judging countries on their differences, instead they enjoy the experience of learning about different cultures. Mr. Forden is very happy about this and thinks that growing up in different environments allows children to have a broader view of the world.
　　On the whole, Mr. Forden is at ease and comfortable with the lifestyle of Kaohsiung, and remember; next time you visit Love River, say hi to Mr. Forden in either English or Chinese.

　　天氣晴朗的早晨，如果你在愛河邊看見一位正在慢跑的外國朋友與你擦身而過，那很可能就是美國在台協會高雄分處的處長傅德恩(Mr. Forden)！
　　傅處長任職A.I.T.高雄辦事處處長已有２年的時間，他很肯定的說高雄有了很大的轉變；傅處長在高雄最喜歡的地方就是愛河，尤其早晨時，他會從住家慢跑到愛河邊，沿著河邊跑步時，看著許多人一起在河邊活動，那種平靜的感覺相當好。
　　他說，高雄是一個相當有活力的城市，改變的速度相當快，即使同一個地方，隔一個月可能就已經換了不同的店家、有了不同的樣貌，而認識這個城市最好的方式並非透過車窗，而是用雙腳走在大街上；走路對他來說，不但是一項運動，只有走在街上的時候，才能仔細地觀察一家家的店面、路上的景象、身邊的人，並且感受這個城市的脈動，甚至發現一些有趣的事情。因此他酷愛走路，甚至到了同行的家人略有抱怨的地步了，他笑著說。
積極促進台美交流的AIT
　　前一陣子，ＡＩＴ美國在台協會就與中山大學美國中心合作，贊助「美國通論」課程並且捐贈書籍。事實上不僅中山大學，美國在台協會與高雄的許多大專院校，像是高雄大學、文藻學院、高雄師範大學等，以及許多機關團體，都有各種不同的合作與贊助案，經由引薦、策劃、協助各種活動，或是單純地提供相關素材，以各種不同方式，介紹美國各層面文化，達成文化與教育交流的目的。
　　另一方面，ＡＩＴ也透過媒體傳達美方的訊息，並且將台灣的政治、經濟等等相關的訊息傳回美國，讓更多的美國企業與人民也能及時了解台灣的人事物，尤其是南台灣的狀況，促成台美雙方企業的合作。
　　同時ＡＩＴ為了服務南台灣各地的美國公民，還推出行動辦公室，每月一、兩次巡迴各縣市，讓當地的美僑可以就近申辦相關事項。
自在有趣的高雄生活
　　幾乎是24小時待命工作的傅處長，一旦有一點空閒時間，除了運動、閱讀，充滿各種有趣玩意兒的夜市，以及漂亮的海邊風景，也是傅處長的最愛。每個週末，他都會陪著孩子逛夜市，順便散散步；而生長在南加州的他，特別喜歡親近海灘與河邊，因此西子灣、墾丁，也就成為傅處長最喜歡和家人一同出遊的地方，更曾經開車環島旅行三、四次，對於美麗的東部海岸相當著迷。
　　而如果有美國朋友造訪高雄，除了一定要去的夜市，他認為晴天的高雄相當美麗，因此會帶朋友到前清英國領事館，看看海、船和港，燈塔也是很棒的看船地點，八五大樓的高雄市全景也相當不錯。
　　而傅處長的小孩跟著他一起旅居過許多國家，對於各種不同的環境有著超強的適應力，對於多元的文化，也以包容欣賞的角度取代批判的眼光，傅處長對此感到很高興，這樣的成長環境讓孩子的世界變得更寬廣。
　　整體而言，住在高雄對於傅德恩處長來說，是相當自在的事情；下回在愛河邊遇到其實也會說中文的他，別忘了打聲招呼喔！