Taiwan: An Insight To Asian Culture Past Review
By James R (Commuication, Illinois State University) for
National Chengchi University (NCCU): New Taipei City - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Best Semester of my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There was less assignments and it really made a difference. You had to keep up with the work on your own and there was no busy work. I liked it better then my home university because it really helps you manage your time and become a mature individual. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I loved everything. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I thought the International House was very nice. They had everything you wanted in a place to live. It was clean and beautiful. The only problem was there was no kitchen, and one of the neighbors complained that we were to loud so we could not talk outside at anytime during the day. Also, we could not use the TV room past 11 which was ridiculous because we could watch movies on our laptops and be as loud as we wanted in the study room, which is right next to the TV room. Some stupid rules but overall a much nicer place to live then the dorms. |
| * Food: |
All the food was delicious and I was very pleased. The best food however is in Taipei which is only a 20 minuet bus ride away. B&O burger was a great way to have an American burger any time you are home sick. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Being with the locals everyday and seeing how similar and different we are. Going on trips around the country and world. I learned a Chinese instrument and having my teachers and classmates that were very supportive. I will never forget anyone I met over in this country. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Taiwan is one of the safest places I have ever been to. You can walk the streets of Taipei alone and feel 100% safe. There was never a moment that I felt in danger or threatened. Also, they have an English speaking doctor on campus. If you have trouble understanding him you can always bring a local or have Dr. Bierman come and help you. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Taiwan is less expensive then America. Meal $2-3 dollars, Clubs $20, Transportation $20 a month, single room in the I-house $406 a month, Dorm room is $406 a semester. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Everything is very manageable here but at the beginning don't just think everything is cheap or else you might spend a lot of money without realizing it. Happened to some people on the trip. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | none |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You will not regret coming to Taiwan. The people are friendly, Taipei is a major city, and the country is beautiful. It will help broaden your aspect of the world. |
