Studying in Taiwan – applications now open

Although studying for a degree in Taiwan is a constant cross-cultural academic challenge for myself and the international students I study with, I think Taiwan has great potential and is generally heading in a positive direction. For those among you considering to do a degree in Taiwan, this is probably the right time to go look into things as most application deadlines are about to end.

Since I received a few emails with questions about studying in Taiwan, I’ll just point out that this blog includes some posts with background information about the topic that might help in making a decision.

(Disclaimer – I pass the information as is. Since coming here to do a full degree is usually a serious decision – I can’t say whether I support such a decision or not. I recommend reading as much as possible and talking to as many people as possible before making such a decision)

Check out the following:

• The Top Universities in Taiwan (ROC)
• Seeking information : Cost of studying in Tainan @ Taiwan scholarship
• Scholarship information for international students interested in the Taiwan scholarship and studying in Taiwan
• International students stats : NCKU, Taiwanese universities and Taiwan scholarship
• Taiwanese universities : NCKU vs. NCTU
• Asian academic research and the top research universities in Asia

INCKU, the student portal for international students in NCKU, is a good place to look for some  3rd party information about NCKU in English : “INCKU : An online community and directory for NCKU and Tainan“.

And something a bit less formal :

• Visiting Tainan and NCKU
• Visiting Hsinchu and NCTU
• The gorgeous international students at NCKU
• NCKU’s Welcome Aboard day for international students
• Merry Christmas from the NCKU IIM PhD students
• Goodbye friends – Intense summer Chinese course is over

Here are some of the latest shots of NCKU I took at the beginning of this semester from the new NCKU ISAD-OIA office at the 8th floor of Yun-Ping building, if you’re still wondering what NCKU looks like :

Here’s a recent letter from the NCKU International Affairs VP :

March 3, 2008

To Whom It May Concern,

With the proclaimed aim of globalization and internationalization in academic institutions, higher education in Taiwan is reverberated with efforts to be to connected with the world. To raise our international profile, National Cheng Kung  University (NCKU) is currently promoting the recruitment of international students and improving the bilingual environment of the Campus. By doing so, NCKU hopes to expand the global vision and develop cross-cultural interactions for students and faculty in the University.
The application deadline is only a month away (April 9,2008), and we hope that current students can assist in spreading the news along creatively through methods such as mails, blogs, emails, or by phone to all of your foreign friends.
“2008 NCKU Application of Admission for International Students” is now available (http://www.ncku.edu.tw/~ooia/eng/ ). It is most appreciated if you could assist in passing along this information.

Thank you very much for your help.
Yours sincerely,
Huey-Jen Jenny Su, ScD
Vice-President for International Affairs
National Cheng Kung University (NCKU)

Good luck in your academic quest. Good luck to Taiwan with bringing in good quality international students and improving the academic standards here.