The Start of My Great Journey Past Review
By Yumi J (Business, Trinity University) - abroad from 05/18/2015 to 06/26/2015 with
Tunghai University: Taichung City - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned that even in my everyday life, I remind myself that everyone is different. When I went to Taiwan, that statement was an understatement because the culture itself was so different. I loved learning about Taiwan's culture, and how it is different from China's culture, and also how similar it is to Korea's culture.
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. |
It was such an eye-opening experience overall. I loved discovering the cultural differences between Taiwan and the US. I made some great friends there, and I really hope I get to go again. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I think everyone was pretty nice, but there were still a few miscommunication on a few things--but they were very helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was a very nice apartment. The interior is super nice, but the walk to and back from Tunghai University was a hassle sometimes. |
| * Food: |
Food was awesome! You can pretty much still get any type of food you want, but with a small Taiwanese twist to it! It was great. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt like I got along with everyone I met in Taiwan. The students at Tunghai were so nice and friendly. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Everything is super easy to get there. Antibiotics are easily accessible and going to the doctors here isn't as nearly as costly as going to the doctors' in the US. |
| * Safety: |
I felt like Taiwan was such a safe place to be doing study abroad. Everyone is calm for the most part and very nice. |
| 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) |
Well, for me, it wasn't easy because I wanted to try all kinds of food and go out all the time. However, I think Taiwan is one of the countries where you definitely don't need to spend much money if you don't want to. Some of the students ate pre-made foods at 7-11 for almost every meal (they're delicious by the way), and they got by with their student budget. The meals at 7-11 are so good in Taiwan, it makes me sad when I go to the 7-11s here in the states... |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $250 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Maybe don't eat out as much, and enjoy those food truck/convenient store foods because they're just as good, and you definitely will not be getting those type of foods again back at home. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Our Chinese professor was so nice, funny, and overall great. She taught us so many useful words and statements, while we taught her some of US culture and manners. Her teaching techniques are molded by each student's learning techniques. She was very interactive, and cuts us slack when needed. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | CHIN 1301 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Buy a mini notebook and organize your language notes!! Make a mini emergency language book, so you can use it if you're by yourself or lost. Also, keeping it around, you'll be more proactive in using because if you forget, you'll just look in your book. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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? | I wish there was an overview of the most popular Taiwan spots so I could visit all of them during my study abroad stay. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
