Host Institution: National ChengChi University, Taipei, Taiwan

Year & Semester on Exchange: Semester Two 2014

Degree Program in HUFS: MA in Chinese Studies

 

I decided to go on an exchange to Taiwan because I was studying Chinese Studies in South Korea. Traditional Chinese culture in Taiwan never fails to capture my attention every time I go there. In the First semester of 2014, I got accepted to study at National ChengChi University in Taipei, one of the top and most prestigious universities in Taiwan.

 

I shall proceed by introducing you to a few practical matters to bear in mind as you organize your exchange.

 

Pre-application

 

If you are considering going to Taiwan for a semester, I would seriously recommend you talk to one of the people who have been there or dean of the department, or get someone in the Chinese Studies department to explain parts of the general applications and studying experiences.

 

Application

 

Once decided to study in Taiwan, you need to contact universities in Taiwan yourself (it does not matter if they are in partnership with HUFS as long as the dean of Chinese Studies Department acknowledge and endorse your application). After receiving the official letter of acceptance from the counterpart university in Taiwan, you can apply for a student visa in the Taiwan office in Seoul. Usually, the good period of visa is for 158 days.

 

Accommodation

 

All international students can apply to live on campus (it is quite cheaper than live off-campus), if your application to accommodation was successful then you would be assigned to live in the newest dormitory on campus called Ziqiang Dorm, but unfortunately it is located on the midway of a mountain which means you need to commute to classroom by shuttle bus or on foot for quite a long time.

 

Local Temperature

 

Taiwan is extremely humid and hot, at least to me, in the summer. But the weather in winter is quite comfortable compared to Seoul, Korea. You dont need to pack too much warm clothes like in Seoul.

 

Classes

 

As a native speaker of Chinese, I deliberately chose courses that were taught in English. But I highly recommend non-native speakers to take Chinese language classes and courses conducted by Chinese.

Finally, the exchange was an amazing experience and has opened up so many doors for my future. I definitely learned many life skills and will always remember my amazing time in NCCU. I really hope other students make the decision I made and decide to do an exchange.