Studying in Taiwan: Pros and Cons Past Review
By Katy Y (Biopsychology, Tufts University) for
National Taiwan University: Taipei - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My study abroad experience was incredibly worthwhile. I learned a lot and experienced a lot while abroad. Even if the classes are challenging, I had plenty of time to do other things like travel. Studying abroad has helped me adapt more quickly to unfamiliar surroundings and I would gladly return again.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes are generally once a week but can last 2 to 3 hours at a time, which means you see your professors less often but have the same amount of work. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They will help you when you ask but their hours always coincided with my classes. The offices are closed during lunch. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
You will not interact much with local students in the dorms but there is a lounge on the first floor. There is a front desk on the first floor as well and they are very strict with security. The dorms are conveniently located near a lot of restaurants, convenience stores and boutiques so if you need anything they are all within reach. |
| * Food: |
There is a large variety of food near the school, all of which is very affordable. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There are a lot of things to do in Taiwan. In the city of Taipei itself or elsewhere. Taiwan is a small place so it's very easy to travel around by bus, train, bullet train or ferry. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never had any issues with safety or health issues. |
| 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? | On average, I spent about $10/day on food. It's much easier to go above that but there was no need to for me. Movies are about the same price as in the US though. Clothes are very cheap depending on where you buy them. In general, everything is cheaper in Taiwan than the US except for vitamins and medicine. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Manage your money well and you won't have any problems. Rent was about $250/month. The program will give you a good estimate of how much money you will need. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Chinese 3 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most people will speak Chinese so there's lots of chances for practicing. You can also opt for a language exchange with a local student to practice your Chinese. Most of your local friends will try to speak English with you to practice their English so a language exchange is recommended. |
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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Get all your paperwork in order because you will have to take care of everything yourself when you are abroad. If you are not fluent in Chinese, make sure you sign up for a program volunteer to help you. |
