Knowledge Is Boundless Overseas Exchange Sharing WorkshopHeld by the Department of Communication and Technology of the National Chiao Tung University
Reported by Li Hsuan Huang
In this era of globalization, many college students in Taiwan usually consider short-term study abroad experience as a way to expand their horizons and accumulate new knowledge. Such overseas experience allows students to understand and see the world through their own authentic observations. Seizing on this growing interest among its student population, Department of Communication and Technology at the Liujia Campus of the National Chiao Tung University (NCTU) conducted an overseas exchange sharing workshop on October 4th.Ms. Chiu Yi Chou from the Office of International Affairs at NCTU was invited to provide detailed explanations for the application process of the overseas exchange program. Several students from the department also attended the workshop and shared their exchange experiences. Almost forty people attended the event.
Among one of the participants, Dr. Ching Jung Huang, the new Chair of the Department of Communication and Technology, said that sheen courages the students from the department to enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to apply for the overseas exchange program. She also said that studying abroad is a journey which can make people grow into another person during a short period of time. In addition to learning how to live independently in a totally strange environment, studying abroad allows us to experience the local culture, and learn to how to appreciate, respect, and accept other ethnic cultures that are different from ours. She encouraged students to set foot outside Taiwan to experience different cultures when given a chance. She even made the promise that she would like to send half the students from the department abroad for this exchange experience in the future.
Ms. Chiu Yi Chou from the Office of International Affairs at NCTU, explained the application process of the overseas exchange program. (Photo source / photographed by Li Hsuan Huang)
Chiu Yi Chou said that there are several ways to apply for the exchange program, such as through the university, the college, or the University System of Taiwan. The Office of International Affairs will announce a list of sister schools that provide overseas exchange programs in mid-to-late October. After applicants pass the pre-specified criteria, they can rank order up to ten hosting universities. Applicants also need to prepare the required documents by the sister schools to which they apply. In general, the applications need to apply two semesters ahead. After they are accepted by the program and start the exchange experience, they have to submit reflection papers regularly. After they come back from the overseas program, they will be invited to attend sharing workshops, which help other interested students to understand more about overseas life.
Ms. Yu Ju Cheng, who is a graduate from the Department of Communication and Technology, went to Seoul National University of South Korea as an exchange student. When giving advice to the enthusiastic students present at the workshop, she cautioned that even though the overseas experience was full of fun, it is equally important to learn how to protect oneself. She also advised that everyone should learn the local language. For example, she said one time her Korean classmate introduced her as someone from China. Because she understands Korean, she immediately corrected her classmate.
Min Tzu Liu (the girl below) attended the workshop through video chat. (Photo source / photographed by Li Hsuan Huang)
Ms. Min Tzu Liuis going to Germany as an exchange student this year.She joined the workshop remotely through video chat. She said that studying abroad is indeed a challenge. People will develop the strong feeling of isolation and marginalization while living in a foreign country. People need to make adjustments in such a totally strange environment. She would like to use this exchange opportunity of to test the water and see if the academic environment in Germany meets her expectations as a place to pursue her graduate studies in the future.
So far, there is a total of 28 students from the Department of Communication and Technology joining and completing the exchange program. The destinations include the neighboring countries in Asia, as well as those in coveted Western Europe and the Nordic countries, such as Sweden and Finland. Dr. Ching Jung Huang, the new Chair of the Department of Communication and Technology, values the overseas learning experience .As a result, the department organized this first ever overseas exchange sharing workshop, through which she hopes students will have a better understanding of the exchange program. Additionally, the University also offers different types of scholarships worth tens of thousands of dollars, which can help support students’ overseas expenses to some extent.After the workshop was concluded, several students gathered around the podium and showed great interest by asking questions. Chiu Yi Chou and several other female senior students mentioned that they are pleased to help and welcome any inquiries.