My NCCU experiences

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6 Contents 01 Message from the President 02 Message from the Dean 03 NCCU at a glance 04 NCCU internationalization 06 List of story tellers 10 Stories 10 Stories in Korean 25 Stories in Spanish 38 Stories in Bahasa Indonesia My NCCU, My Story is a publication dedicated to the Diamond Jubilee of National Chengchi University (NCCU) in Taiwan, featuring articles in their native languages collected from international students studying or having studied at NCCU. 31 stories are included from authors from 17 countries, written in 10 different languages to share their thoughts on their experiences at NCCU. 45 Stories in English 58 Stories in French 63 Stories in Czech 68 Stories in Polish 73 Story in German 76 Story in Japanese 78 Stories in Chinese 89 Publication information

7 from the President Dear friends: Greetings! 2014 is a significant year for National Chengchi University (NCCU); this is the year we celebrate NCCU 87th Anniversary from establishment in China, and the 60th Anniversary from resuming in Taiwan. The number 60 One Cycle of Sixty Years, has a special meaning to Chinese. Hence, in commemoration of this joyful year for NCCU, we present this book My NCCU, My Story to you. My NCCU, My Story is not just a book or one story; it is a collection of heartfelt voices and testimonies from 31 NCCU international students written in their own mother tongues from 17 countries, who came to NCCU to study, to experience, and to learn Chinese/Taiwanese cultural and social custom, and some of them make life-long friends at NCCU. The value of the book exceeds what it appears to be, the underlining of the stories indicates years of nurturing the vision and mission of internationalization and global mobility by the educators. I am deeply touched and encouraged by the students ability and maturity to appreciate and respect for a different culture and different study environment; a student from Japan wrote I got to learn different cultures at a deeper level it is like a special door that opens my eyes and takes me to a whole new place. I am grateful that NCCU gave me the key to this door, a student from the US wrote I was surprised to find such a diverse group of local and international students well mixed upon arriving here for the first time, NCCU strategic destination ideal for learning about Taiwan, China and neighboring Asian countries;" and a student from Spain wrote I have learnt a lot about the people, about their patience, kindness and generosity towards foreigners. Every day in Taipei has the potential for a new adventure. These are just a few samples of the masterpieces. 01 Cross-cultural experiences have become a precious asset for those who follow the global trend. NCCU has endeavoured herself to develop a multi-culture campus and academic aspect in order to accommodate over 1,500 international students each year, and NCCU has been cultivating and empowering her students to broaden their horizon in global mobility. For this is the age of building civilization to a higher level by continuously providing our youngsters with platforms to experience and accept different cultures and academic methodology. I look forward to continuing working with you to reach the goal in advancing our students to be equipped as elite global citizens. Dr. Se-Hwa Wu President National Chengchi University My NCCU, My Story

8 from the Dean Internationalization is a magic word. It means differently to different people. To us, internationalization is not merely about a few languages or a few focusing dots on the map. Rather, it is about a web and people who are connected with their tastes of lives and adventures to the unknown. What Internationalization does is to make these experiences unique but still accessible to those who are connected, so that they can be inspired and encouraged. Furthermore, internationalization is highly dynamic, indicating that the web is growing and potentially without limit, which provides a channel for us to meet different perspectives, suggesting that things can always be looked at from different angles. When multi-perspectives cross and interact, serendipities emerge, which become the engine of creativity and innovation required for a better and colorful future. 02 The concept of internationalization has become unveiled in recent years, and you can experience it almost everywhere under the sun and moon; and at NCCU, you experience the sun never sets. The volume which we proudly present here are her legends. In a place surrounded by bird songs of the Zhinan Mountain and water sounds of the Drunk Dream River, 31 international students narrate their legends with their mother tongues - Korean, Spanish, Indonesian, English, French, Czech, Polish, German, Japanese, and Chinese. Each heart is voiced authentically. While we humbly present 10 out of hundreds of languages in the world, this multi-language volume presents a spirit of cross cultural appreciation, and a glimpse of multi international faces from 66 countries of 5 continents on NCCU campus. We have decided to publish this volume using the story tellers mother tongues for two reasons. First, semioticians teach us that symbols are the power for life. The readers who are exposed to an international environment may not understand a foreign language, but they are able to watch, feel, and sense their existence. When walking through the pages, you can see how life is beautifully manifested through different symbols. Second, even though no single one can read this book alone, we are quite confident that this conundrum tends to disappear when there will be more readers with language heterogeneity joining our group. NCCU has placed internationalization as one of her agenda. Whatever we have done from building an international campus to enhancing international mobility and consolidating research collaboration, it is constantly in the span of these two underpinnings: the acknowledgment and appreciation of our coexistence. We present this volume as a manifestation of our belief and our devotion. Happy birthday, NCCU! Prof. Shu-Heng Chen Dean Office of International Cooperation My NCCU, My Story

9 NCCU at a glance NCCU National Chengchi University (NCCU) was founded in Over the past 8 decades through re-formation and development, we have been upholding our motto, Harmony, Independence, Balance and Preeminence, and have continued to refine our teaching methods and research in order to nurture talent for our country and society. 03 We currently have 9 colleges excelling in the College of Liberal Arts, Law, Commerce, Science, Foreign Languages and Literature, Social Sciences, Communication, International Affairs, and Education, which comprise 34 departments and 45 graduate institutes (MA programs). There are also 27 of the graduate institutes offering doctoral programs. In addition, in acting upon the school policy of implementing our back-flow education, we have founded 16 on-the-job MA programs. NCCU also provides a series of public facilities including the Center for Public and Business Administration Education, Social Science Information Center, Computer Center, Institute of International Relations, Election Study Center, Center for the Third Sector, Center for Creativity and Innovation Studies, Center for China Studies and Taiwan Studies Center to support instructors and students educational needs. In addition, NCCU also has an affiliated high school, an experimental elementary school and kindergarten, by which NCCU forms a consistent and articulated education system from pre-school level to the Ph. D program. My NCCU, My Story

10 NCCU internationalization 263 Partners at University Level Europe Asia America Oceania Africa International Degree-Seeking Students (2013) Region Country Number USA 59 Honduras 20 Nicaragua 15 Guatemala 13 Canada 12 El Salvador 11 Belize 7 Paraguay 6 Panama 4 America Chile 3 Colombia 3 Ecuador 3 Haiti 3 Mexico 3 Peru 3 Argentina 2 Brazil 2 Costa Rica 1 St. Lucia 1 Subtotal 171 New Zealand 2 Oceania Palau 1 Subtotal 3 Region Country Number Korea 66 Japan 43 Malaysia 43 Vietnam 16 Asia Thailand 14 Pacific Indonesia 12 Singapore 12 Philippines 9 India 3 Subtotal 218 Russia 25 Mongolia 11 Turkey 8 Israel 6 West Asia Belarus 3 Afghanistan 1 Iran 1 Iraq 1 Kazakhstan 1 Ukraine 1 Subtotal 58 Germany 12 Czech Republic 10 Europe United Kingdom 10 Hungary 9 France 8 Region Country Number Europe Africa Poland 8 Spain 6 Italy 5 Austria 4 Netherlands 3 Norway 3 Switzerland 3 Belgium 2 Slovakia 2 Estonia 1 Finland 1 Latvia 1 Portugal 1 Sweden 1 Subtotal 90 Burkina Faso 4 South Africa 4 Gambia 3 Swaziland 3 Kenya 2 Sao Tome and Principe 1 Tanzania 1 Subtotal 18 Total: 558 My NCCU, My Story

11 NCCU internationalization 570 Inbound Exchange Students ( Academic Year) 510 Outbound Exchange Students ( Academic Year) Region Country Number Asia Pacific West Asia Northern America Central & Southern America Europe Africa Oceania Japan 28 Indonesia 1 Hong Kong 28 Thailand 7 Malaysia 4 Singapore 19 Macao 2 Korea 49 Subtotal 138 Turkey 4 Russia 6 Subtotal 10 Canada 15 USA 35 Subtotal 50 Brazil 5 Colombia 1 Mexico 2 Subtotal 8 Denmark 9 Belgium 8 Lithuania 3 Liechtenstei 2 Hungary 2 Spain 25 France 83 Poland 11 Finland 17 UK 6 Norway 6 Ukraine 1 Czech Republic 8 Netherlands 34 Slovakia 1 Austria 5 Ireland 5 Switzerland 7 Sweden 17 Italy 38 Portugal 4 Germany 68 Subtotal 360 Morocco 3 Subtotal 3 Australia 1 Subtotal 1 Total: 570 Region Country Number Asia Pacific West Asia Northern America Central & Southern America Europe Japan 73 India 3 Hong Kong 13 Thailand 6 Singapore 5 Korea 52 Subtotal 152 Turkey 8 Oman 3 Russia 17 Kuwait 7 Jordan 3 Subtotal 38 Canada 6 USA 33 Subtotal 39 Ecuador 2 Brazil 2 Panama 3 Colombia 1 Chile 1 Mexico 3 Subtotal 12 Denmark 6 Belgium 6 Lithuania 1 Liechtenstein 1 Hungry 4 Spain 25 Poland 12 France 62 Finland 10 UK 16 Norway 7 Czech Republic 6 Netherlands 30 Austria 7 Ireland 4 Switzerland 5 Sweden 5 Italy 8 Portugal 3 Germany 40 Subtotal 258 Tunisia 4 Morocco 1 Subtotal 5 New Zealand 2 Australia 4 Subtotal 6 Total: My NCCU, My Story

12 Story tellers Story tellers: 신지현 Shin Ji Hyun Degree student Home country: Korea Language: Korean 송아람 Aram Song Exchange student Home country: Korea Home university: Kyung Hee University Language: Korean 이미림 Mirhim Lee Exchange student Home country: Korea Home university: Dong-A University Language: Korean 06 김미선 Miseon Kim Exchange student Home country: Korea Home university: Sookmyung Women s University Language: Korean 김윤진 Kimu Degree student Home country: Korea Language: Korean 장유진 Yoojin Jang Degree student Home country Korea Language: Korean Даниэль Антонио Гусман Бриман Daniel Antonio Guzman Briman Degree student Home country: Russia and Nicaragua (Dual citizen) Language: Spanish Maryoriet Nicole Rosales Salgado Degree student Home country: Honduras Language: Spanish María del Carmen Fleitas Delgado Degree student Home country: Paraguay Language: Spanish My NCCU, My Story

13 Story tellers Jeny Zheng Lan Degree student Home country: Panama Language: Spanish Juan Diego Prudot Degree student Home country: Honduras Language: Spanish Dita Siti Nurhayati Anastasia Diliani Degree student Home country: Indonesia Language: Bahasa Indonesia 07 Retno Widyastuti Degree student Home country: Indonesia Language: Bahasa Indonesia Ni matun Nasim Chinese Language Center student Home country: Indonesia Home university: Universitas Indonesia Language: Bahasa Indonesia Vittorio Adrianus Degree student Home country: Indonesia Language: English Richard George Mooney Degree student Home country: United Kingdom Language: English Zane Kheir Degree student Home country: USA Language: English Shirley Mak Chinese Language Center student Home country: USA Home University: UCLA Language: English My NCCU, My Story

14 Story tellers María Olmedo Jimenez Exchange student Home country: Spain Home University: Dublin Institute of Technology Language: English Chloé Jabouyna Chloe Jabouyna Exchange student Home country: France Home University: Université Lumière Lyon 2 Language: French Guillaume Emmanuel Gillard William Gillard Degree student Home country: Belgium Language: French 08 Filip Lahoda Degree student Home country: Czech Republic Language: Czech Veronika Tomanova Degree student Home country: Czech Republic Language: Czech Jakub Jatkiewicz Degree student Home country: Poland Language: Polish Karolina Goebel Degree student Home country: Poland Language: Polish Dominik Fischer Exchange student Home country: Germany Home University: Zeppelin Universität Language: German 八木菫 Sumire Yagi Exchange student Home country: Japan Home University: Akita International University Language: Japanese My NCCU, My Story

15 Story tellers 勞汝潔 Rujie Lao Exchange student Home country: China Home University: Zhejiang University Language: Chinese 徐美超 Meichao Xu Exchange student Home country: China Home University: Fudan University Language: Chinese 李卓爾 Thor Li Exchange student Home country: China Home University: Peking University Language: Chinese 09 馮灝 Layla Feng Exchange student Home country: China Home University: Nankai University Language: Chinese My NCCU, My Story

16 Stories 신지현 신지현 Shin Ji Hyun Degree student Home country : Korea Language : Korean 10 I am very happy to study at National Chengchi University (NCCU). I had been dreaming about studying in Taiwan since I graduated from university in Korea. After I got married with a Taiwanese guy and got pregnant, I had to wait until my son went to kindergarten before I could fully prepare for the entrance exam and go to graduate school in Taiwan. Now I study Chinese Literature at NCCU and it has been a very positive experience in my life. 제가고등학교때우연히대만에있는대학교들을소개하는책자를보게되었습니다. 왠지는모르겠는데이상하게그중에서정대가눈에끌렸습니다. 아무래도정치대라는이름에끌린것같습니다. 그래서대학을졸업하고일을하면서언젠가는정치대대학원에들어가서공부를할것이라고다짐을했습니다. 그러고몇년의시간이흐르고, 우연히대만을방문하게되었습니다. 여기서대만남자를만나서결혼하고생활하면서대학원을들어가겠다고생각했습니다. 그래서정치대언어중심에서중국어를배우고, 중문과교수님께부탁하여수업도청강했습니다. 그러던중, 갑작스런임신으로대학원준비를중단해야했습니다. 그렇지만마음속으로는언젠가는대학원에들어가서공부하겠다고다짐을하였습니다. 아이를키우면서생활한 6년의시간이지나고 드디어 2013년 9월정치대중문대학원에입학을하였습니다. 2005년겨울에대만에들어와서지금까지 8년만에정치대대학원에들어가게되었기때문에대학원합격소식만으로너무나기뻤습니다. 그토록가고싶었던정치대대학원에제가들어가게되었던것입니다. 한국의부모님께서는제가나이가많아서지금석사를하게되면언제박사학위까지취득할것이냐고많이걱정을하셨습니다. 우선저는대학원석사과정에입학하게되었다는것만으로도너무나도행복했습니다. 너무나오랫동안학교생활을하지않아서솔직히두려움도있었습니다. 지금한국에서대학원을다니게되어도많이낯설어서걱정을하게될텐데외국에서대학원을다니게된다고하니더많이걱정이되었습니다. 한국어도아닌외국어로공부를하게된다는신선한느낌이있었는반면, 한국어가아닌외국어로공부를 My NCCU, My Story

17 Stories 신지현 After finishing the class, I bumped into a few cartoon characters dressed in cute costumes on campus, probably for some event. I took a photo with one of the cute friends. 11 잘할수있을까라는걱정, 특히제가여기서 8년의생활만해서, 생활상에서사용했던중국어가학교에들어가서도수업을들을때에는다른어려움없을까등등의의구심이저를많이혼란스럽게하고긴장하게했습니다. 그리고너무오랫동안학교생활을안했었기때문에너무긴장한탓에수업을시작하고며칠몸에이상증상이있었습니다. 첫수업을들어갔을때, 그저신기하고즐겁기만했습니다. 다행히도모르는부분은여기저기서물어보면다들친절하게가르쳐주었습니다. 시간이갈수록대학원이대학교와는이렇게다르구나라고느끼게되었습니다. 교수님에가르쳐주는것이아닌혼자서공부를해야한다는것입니다. 저는본국인도공부하기힘든국문과에외국인으로들어와서혼자공부를해야하는거니까솔직히힘든점이많았습니다. 필독해야 하는도서는대여섯번이상이해가될때까지보았기에, 대만학생들보다다섯배이상의노력을해야한다고생각하고있었습니다. 교수님께서는제가외국인으로서중국어로공부하기에많이힘들것을고려하셔서여러모로자세하게안내해주셔서그렇게많이어렵다는생각을하지않았습니다. 정치대에서공부를하면서대만인이아닌다른외국인학생들과도교류를자연스럽게할기회가많이생겼습니다. 그래서시야를좀더넓히게되었습니다. 다양한외국인들을만나같이공부를할수있으니대만에대한다양한생각, 여기의대학과그나라대학들의차이, 다른나라의문화등등의내용을들을수가있습니다. 대학생때, 미국하와이에서언어연수를받은적이있었습니다. 지금생각하면, 그때가 My NCCU, My Story

18 Stories 신지현 인생에서제일행복한시기였습니다. 지금이꼭그때와비슷한느낌입니다. 내가원하는곳에서, 내가원하는것을하고있어서그런것같습니다. 제 2의인생에서제일행복한시기를맞게되었습니다. 등하교를하면서정치대교정을거닐때내가학생이라는행복감을느끼고, 도서관에서책을볼때나만의공간에서내가좋아하는것을할때행복감을느낍니다. 정치대에서대만학생뿐만아니라다른외국학생들과같이공부를하면서인생의또다른성취감을느낍니다. 아직도대학원을들어가지않고있었다면, 생활상에서이러한성취감을가질수가없었을겁니다. 대만에들어와서육아를하다가, 학교에다시들어와서공부하기때문에, 일반학생들과는생각하는목표가다를거라고생각합니다. 석사학위를받고, 할수만있으면박사학위까지받고싶습니다. 지금한국어를가르치는일을하고있습니다. 대만학생들에게한국어를가르치면서정치대에서공부하면서쌓은지식을활용하고있습니다. 중국문학과중국문화를공부하면서한국어를가르치기때문에, 중국문화와한국문화의차이점과공통점을더자세하게학생들에게말해줄수있는것같습니다. 12 대만에학생들은많이순수한것같습니다. 마치한국의중, 고등학생을보는것같습니다. 한국에서대학원을다니면일반성인직장인과같은느낌이드는데, 여기서는대학원을다녀도그냥단순한학생같다는느낌이듭니다. 사제지간도한국의중, 고등학교의사제지간같이순수합니다. 그전에는느껴보지도못한이런느낌들이한편으로는신선하게다가왔습니다. 정치대에들어오기몇년전부터여기서계속살았기에오히려주변환경에는많이친숙해있기에, 정치대주변환경은별로새롭지는않습니다. 그런데근처에살았어도대학원을들어오기전과들어온후의느낌은너무나도다릅니다. 들어오기전에는그냥근처에사는사람으로하루하루를보냈는데, 들어온후는정치대학생으로서살고있으니마음가짐이다릅니다. 석사학위를받고난후, 무엇을할지정확하게는모르겠습니다. 어렵게시작한공부인만큼석사학위를받고난후, 계속해서박사과정까지공부하고싶습니다. 전대학을바로졸업하고석사과정을공부하게된학생이아니고, 대학을졸업하고, 사회에서일을하다가결혼과동시에 My NCCU, My Story

19 Stories 송아람 송아람 Aram Song Exchange student Home country : Korea Home university : Kyung Hee University Language : Korean I had various kinds of experiences when I studied at National Chengchi University (NCCU) in Taiwan. I did language exchange with local students and went on field trips with friends from different backgrounds. I made a lot of friends here, and they are all funny and friendly. This is one of the most unforgettable experiences I have ever had. 13 대만, 정치대그리고나 정치대는대학입학할때에세운나의미래계획에없던일이었다. 정치대가계획에없었다기보다는대만이라는나라를염두에두지않고있었다. 2013년 1월, 중국하남성정주로약한달간전공연수를다녀온뒤로나의계획에변화가일어나기시작했다. 전공연수를통해알게되어내가믿고따르는선배언니가대만의정치대에서 1년동안교환학생생활을했다는얘기를들었다. 더불어개인적으로존경하는교수님께서대만으로교환학생을다녀오기를추천해주셨다. 그언니가정치대에서많은것을배워온모습을정주에서같이생활하는동안내게여러차례보여줬다. 교수님도교수가되시기전의학창시절을대만에서보내셨다고익히들어왔다. 이로써정치대에대한믿음이점차굳어지게되었다. 나는교환학생신청서에정치대를 1순위로적었다. 언어중심이개강하고본격적인교환학생 생활이시작되었다. 언어중심에서같은반이된친구들부터점차친해지게되었다. 여기서발견한내가가장좋아하는사실은한국처럼나이에얽매이면서친구가되는것이아니라는사실이다. 이는매우좋은일이라고생각한다. 나는대학원생과도친구가되었다. 언어중심에서의수업은내가가진친구의개념을바꿔놓고있었다. 언어중심수업은 10명이넘지않는소규모인원으로반이구성되어, 중국어를배우는데에더도움이많이되었다. 그만큼나에게할당되는시간이많아진다는뜻이니까말이다. 진도를빨리빨리나가기보다심도있게가르치는수업방식또한마음에들었다. 많은횟수는아니지만프리코스수업은중국어수업뿐만아니라문화관련수업도포함하고있어다채롭게학습할수있었다. 한국에서해보지못한경험을정치대에온이후로많이하고있다. 그중하나가 언어교환 이다. 언어교환은한국에서잘발달되지못한활동이다. 하지만정치대에서는언어교환을하고싶어외국인 My NCCU, My Story

20 Stories 송아람 These are banana pie and lantern I made with other international students and by myself. Banana pie was a pair effort with other exchange students who attended the event called Baking Fun ( Where banana cake meets bubble tea ) held by NCCU International Youth at the end of The lantern was from another cultural event during which I not only learned more about Taiwanese traditional toys, but I also drew a lantern on my own. It was amazingly beautiful after I lit it up. During these two activities, I made a lot of new friends from different universities. 14 친구를구하는종이도, 파트너를구해언어교환을하고있는모습도어디에서든지자주찾아볼수있었다. 중국어실력을늘리고한국어도알려주고, 남에게설명할수있을정도로공부를하는것은좋다고생각하여나도언어교환을구하였다. 언어교환을할때어떤식으로공부를할것인지, 자체적으로계획을세워하는활동이라서, 처음에는무엇을해야할지고민이많았다. 언어교환을하는친구와나의학사일정이엇갈리는경우가많아서만남도적었다. 오랜시간을언어교환에쏟아붓지못한점이아쉬움으로남아있다. 두번째로내가처음해보는경험들은 여행 이다. 대만을알아보는나만의여행과더불어학교에서진행하는여행도좋은경험이었다. 지난번학교를통해간여행은도자기마을, 잉거였는데, 중간중간설명도친절히해주셔서그냥구경만하고온느낌을벗어나학습과여행을같이한느낌이었다. 정치대을졸업한선배가운영하고있는도자기 가게에도가보고정성스런대접도받아서기분좋은여행이되기도하였다. 단순히박물관을관람하는선에그치는여행이아니라여러프로그램들을준비해주셨었고학생들의편의를최대한배려해주셨던모습을통해학교가교환학생을위해힘써주고있다는감상을받았다. 다음에도여행가는프로그램이공지된다면바로참여할것이고, 매번큰기대를하게된다. 나의교환학생생활은아직끝나지않았다. 교환학생생활의절반은이미끝이났지만, 남은 4개월은아쉬움을남기지않도록최선을다해공부하고한국으로돌아가고싶다. 벌써한국에돌아가고싶은마음이점차사라지고있는데막상그때가닥친다면몹시안타까울것같다. 남은기간동안열심히공부해좋은성적을받고장학금도타보고, 더많은친구들을알아가고싶다. 나의정치대유학생활에예측불허하고흥미롭고즐거운일들이펼쳐지기를소망한다. My NCCU, My Story

21 Stories 이미림 이미림 Mirhim Lee Exchange student Home country : Korea Home university : Dong-A university Language : Korean Although at first I observed many cultural differences and had some hard time adapting to the new environment, little by little, by participating in different activities, for example, Study Abroad Fair and other cultural activities including making banana pies and the famous bubble (milk) tea, I started to enjoy more and more the life here. I also integrated better by meeting a lot of kind people at NCCU. With all these new experiences and the nice local food, now I think Taiwan is a fantastic country and I really hope to encourage more Korean students to study at NCCU. 15 안녕하세요. 저는동아대학교에서교환학생으로국립정치대학에온외교학과이미림이라고합니다. 제가대만정치대학교에교환학생으로온이유는전공수업을영어로들으면서각종영어원서로공부할수있으며, 중국어또한같이공부할수있다는점때문입니다. 사실중어권국가에중국어공부를하러간친구들대부분이공부하러간기간에영어를공부하지못해영어실력이떨어진다며저에게는영어공부를같이할수있는곳으로가라고말했습니다. 또한저의지도교수님께서도수준급의학교인정치대학에서영어수업도듣고중국어공부도하며, 좋은친구들을많이사귀어보라고조언해주셔서이곳정치대학으로오기위해교환학생시험을준비했고, 합격해이렇게오게되었습니다. 저는이곳에 2013년 9월 3일에도착했습니다. 당일갑작스러운관광객들로인해수속시간과짐찾는시간이꽤걸려고생한기억이아직도납니다. 그래서정치대에서픽업하러오신택시아저씨와저의대만인버디친구가아마저를오래기다렸을것같아요. 같은학교에서온언니한명과저는중문과도아니었고중국어를잘하지도않았기때문에처음왔을때너무나힘들었습니다. 음식점에가도음식주문하기가어려워매번같은음식만먹었던기억이납니다. 또한한국날씨에비해상당히덥고습해서벌레를보기일쑤였답니다. 특히나벌레를무서워하던저에게대만의첫인상은그다지좋지않았습니다. 그럼에도불구하고친절한정치대친구들, 따뜻한겨울기온, 정치대의여러활동, 대만의맛있는珍珠奶茶, 牛肉麵등이저를조금씩대만에적응할수있도록도와주었습니다. 우선저의버디를비롯한정치대친구들은정말친절했습니다. 모르는길을물어보면굳이제가갈곳까지데려다주고, 우산을까먹고못챙겨나온날에는친구들이저를우산을씌워다음강의실까지데려다주곤 My NCCU, My Story

22 Stories 이미림 16 했습니다. 사실한국에있었을때중어권, 중어권사람들에대한인상이그다지좋지않았는데, 이곳대만정치대친구들은이렇게친절하고상냥해중어권국가에대한인상이아주많이바뀌게되었습니다. 대만은겨울또한따뜻합니다. 우기에는비가많이와습하고기분마저우울하지만한국에비해따뜻한겨울이라추위를많이타는저에게는정말좋은조건이었답니다. 그중가장좋았던것은정치대에서의활동이었습니다. 정치대에서는다양한종류의활동들이있어서처음공지를봤을때는모든프로그램에다참여하고싶었는데너무많은프로그램이있어서인지하나하나다참여하지못한것이너무아쉬웠답니다. 교내에외국인유학생이많아서인지외국인을겨냥한프로그램도많고, 간단한음악회, 음식만드는행사등정말다양한행사들이있습니다. 그중제가했던프로그램중하나는 Study Abroad Fair입니다. 이는정치대에서모교생에게교환학생준비시외국학교에대한정보나, 그나라에대해궁금한점을현재정치대에와있는외국인교환학생이직접설명해주고소개해주는프로그램입니다. 이프로그램을하면서저는많은대만친구들과영어로, 혹은중국어로얘기할수있어서좋았고우리학교나우리나라한국에대해서도알리면서간접적으로많은정보를줄수있는기회가되었습니다. 또다른프로그램으로는바나나케이크와珍珠奶茶를만드는행사에참가했었습니다. 이는정치대내에 International Youth 라는학생단체가주관하는프로그램으로, 외국인학생에게직접바나나케이크반죽을하고오븐에 At the Study Abroad Fair organized by Office of International Cooperation, attended by more than 100 participants, I (second from left, dressed in blue behind the water bottle) was busy talking with NCCU students who came to our booth to find out more about studying in Korea. 넣고만드는기회를제공하며버블티도직접만들수있게하는활동이었습니다. 평소奶茶를먹으면서내가먹는奶茶는어떻게만들어지는걸까하고궁금해했는데이기회를통해서직접만들어보니더욱색다른경험이었습니다. 또한, 대만에는버블티외에도牛肉麵, 다양한종류의炒飯, 水果들이있어입을아주행복하게해준답니다. 특히九舍에있는自助餐, 滷味집과과일주스집이정말맛있었습니다. 늘산위기숙사에있어서학교앞식당보다교내기숙사식당에서밥을더많이먹었던것같습니다. 잠시김치가그리웠던저에게自助餐의가지볶음만큼저의입을행복하게해주는음식은없었던것같아요! 이처럼대만국립정치대학에는외국인유학생이많아외국인을위한행사들도많고, 다양한국적의친구들과친해질수도있고, 학기마다열리는동아리설명회, 고등학생들을위한대학입학설명회등이열려, 한학기든일년이든이곳에온다면정말값진경험을쌓을수있을것입니다. 이제저는벌써이곳에온지 5개월째가되어갑니다. 빠르디빠른시간을소중한사람들과보낸저는남은 5개월을어떻게보내야할지이글을쓰며다시계획하는시간이되었습니다. 마지막이어떻게될지는아직모르지만남은 5개월도즐거운프로그램과수업등을통해좋은사람을많이만나행복한시간을보내고, 남은시간도잘마무리해서한국에갈수있었으면좋겠습니다. My NCCU, My Story

23 Stories 김미선 김미선 Miseon Kim Exchange student Home country : Korea Home university : Sookmyung Women s University Language : Korean My life at NCCU has been such an unforgettable landmark in my life. With the opportunities and challenges provided here, I have grown so much academically and linguistically (learning Chinese) with the help from my classmates and professors. This has broadened my interests as well as prepared for my future career path. I also built many close friendships thanks to the warmth from the local students. I believe such a valuable experience at NCCU will be an important step in my life. 17 한학기동안제가느낀정치대와경험들에대해이야기해보고자합니다. 이곳에서의지난학기를한마디로표현하자면 스스로성장할수있었던너무나소중한시간들 이라고말하고싶습니다. 우선, 정치대는학업환경이좋습니다. 저는중어중문과를전공하고있어서중문과수업을듣게되었습니다. 정치대의중문과수업과정은국문과인만큼더심도있기때문에결코수월하지않았고중국어가능통하지않아더욱버겁게느껴졌습니다. 하지만중국어실력이어느정도인지를실감하고직접부딪히며중국어를배울수있었고학과친구들도사귈수있었습니다. 수업외에는언어교환을하면서수업에서부족했던부분을채웠습니다. 정치대에는한국어학과가있어서언어교환을구하기가쉽습니다. 서로의언어와문화를공유하면서많은도움을주고받았고, 단순히언어교환이상으로좋은대만친구들을사귀게되어기쁩니다. 또한각국에서온외국학생이많은편이라곳곳에서국제적인분위기를 느낄수있습니다. 그래서영어수업도많고영어관련활동도활발합니다. 저도영어수업을들으면서국제학생들과함께조별발표를준비하는등영어공부도함께병행할수있었습니다. 대외활동도무척활발합니다. 동아리제, 한국어노래자랑대회, 학과제등학과, 동아리마다펼치는활동이다양합니다. 또한 IY, SA, IA와같은동아리에서외국학생들을대상으로여행, 체험행사등을기획하기도합니다. 저도바나나케이크만들기활동에참여해대만학생, 외국학생들과다같이바나나케이크를만들며즐거운시간을보낸기억이납니다. 이렇게각자흥미있는분야에서열정적으로활동하는모습을지켜보면서많은도전이되었습니다. 다음학기에는동아리에가입해열정과도전을배워볼참입니다. 그리고정치대주변자연환경이좋습니다. 주변에산이있어덕분에맑은공기를마시며학교를다니고있습니다. 따뜻한날씨 My NCCU, My Story

24 Stories 김미선 I went to an event called Cooking Banana Cake. I made the cake with an international student coming from Malaysia. The delicious cake was a joint effort and we had so much fun working together and meeting other students. It was a lot of fun. 18 덕분에학교주변하천 ( 景美溪 ) 을따라 NCCU FREE BIKE를타기도하고학교운동장에서걷기운동을하는등운동하는습관을가지게되었습니다. 체육수업 (P.E) 은요가, 수영, 골프, 테니스등다양한데다가 0학점이라부담없이들을수있습니다. 이번학기에골프수업을청강했는데평소에배우고싶었던골프를저렴한가격에배울수있었습니다. 골프채와공이잘맞았을때의짜릿함은정말잊을수없습니다. 이렇게정치대는학업뿐아니라자기가관심있는분야를경험하고자기계발을할수있는기회가많다고생각합니다. 정대학생들, 제질문에귀찮아하지않고답해주었던중문과친구들, 힘내라며북돋아주던룸메이트들, 유학생활의경험을나눌수있었던국제학생들, 학업에많은도움을주신교수님등여러사람들로부터크고작은도움을받았고덕분에잘적응하고한학기를잘마무리할수있었습니다. 앞으로남은두번째학기도최선을다해열심히노력해서좋은결실맺기를바라며정치대에서만났던좋은인연들과경험들이앞으로의제삶에중요한밑거름이될것이라믿습니다. 교환학생을온목적에는여러가지가있지만그중하나는낯선환경에적응하고어려움들을극복하는능력을기르는것이었는데이곳에서만난소중한인연들덕분에힘을얻어낯선환경에서적응하고, 언어의어려움등을잘극복할수있게되어감사한마음입니다. 도착해서부터지금까지너무좋은친구인 Buddy 瑞環언니, 길에서물어봐도친절히알려주었던 My NCCU, My Story

25 Stories 김윤진 김윤진 Kimu Degree student Home country : Korea Language : Korean I first came to Taiwan in 2011, at a time when I didn t know any Chinese at all. Then I studied at the Chinese Language Center at National Chengchi University (NCCU) and had a great time learning the language with many foreign students. After that, I was accepted as a degree student by the Department of Japanese at NCCU. Studying both languages was interesting. I have to say this experience of studying abroad at NCCU is the most priceless thing. 고등학교졸업후, 바로대만으로와서유학을시작하게되었다. 10대시절의나는중국어를배워본적이없었고더더욱대만에대해서잘알지도못하는상태에서유학을결정해혼자대만에오게된것이였다. 지금생각해보면참으로막막한일이아닐수없었다. 중국어를아기가걸음마를배우듯이처음부터하나하나배워나가야하는상황이었기때문이었다. 예를들면식당에서밥을시켜먹고싶어도메뉴를읽을줄몰랐기때문에많이힘들었고, 설령밥과면종류를구별할줄안다고해도수많은먹거리의이름을몰랐기때문에식당에서밥을시켜먹는일은마치모험과도같았다. 정치대언어중심에서중국어공부를처음으로배우기시작했다. 다른대학과달리산으로둘러싸여있는공부환경이마음에들었기때문이다. 커다란운동장부터시작해서학교주위의산책로는괴로움이나걱정거리가있을때늘가곤하는데몇시간씩걷다보면어느정도안정감과문제의답안을찾을수있는좋은 곳이정치대에는많다고생각한다. 도서관에는한국과관련된책들도많이있었기때문에가끔씩한국에대한그리움이커지면도서관에가서책을많이읽곤했다. 정치대언어중심에서나와같이중국어를배우고자하는외국인들과함께차근차근중국어를배워나갔다. 중국어를하나도몰랐던시절이었기때문에배우는재미가있었고, 선생님과외국인친구들과중국어로대화를할수있다는것이뿌듯하면서하루하루더욱유창하게말할수있도록중국어공부를열심히했었다. 정치대언어중심에서중국어를 1년정도배운뒤대학에진학하기로마음먹었다. 4년간대학에서무엇을배울지에대해곰곰이생각한끝에나는 일문과 에진학하기로결심했다. 동북아시아의 3개국어 ( 한국어, 중국어, 일본어 ) 를눙숙하게잘하고싶은욕심도있었고, 중국어로일본그리고일본어를배운다는것이쉽지는않겠지만한번은도전해볼만하다고생각했으며, 한국에서배우지못한일본에대한것들을외국에서제 19 My NCCU, My Story

26 Stories 김윤진 I was so excited to get accepted, becoming a real NCCU Student and was able to attend the Orientation for international new students held by Office of International Cooperation in 자의시선으로배우고싶은바람도있었기때문이다. 열심히대학을준비한끝에장학금을받고내가원하는정치대의일문학과에합격한것이다. 1년간언어중심에서중국어를공부하던시절의나는늘걱정이가득했었다. 언제쯤중국어를잘할수있게될까, 언제쯤대학생이될수있을까. 내가원하는학교와학과에당당히합격할수있을까. 그랬던내가학교에서장학금을받고일문학과에합격했으니홀로 1년간대만에서중국어를배웠던그시절이아득한옛날로느껴져서절로눈물이나왔다. 대만에와서처음으로내자신이이루어낸가장큰성취감이아닐수없었다. 대학은언어중심과는또다른세계였다. 중국어를사용하는수준도굉장히높았고, 레포트, 조별숙제, 발표, 토론등의정말정신없이하루가흘러가고있었다. 외국인유학생인내가다른의미로는대만에서일문과를전공하고있는한국인유학생이라는위치가때로는힘겹기도하고, 수업시간에교수님이말씀하시는내용이어려워뒤쳐질까봐걱정이되기도했다. 시험기간에는내가할수있는데까지최선을다해서시험을준비했다. 어쩔때는대학이라는곳이나에게있어서는하루하루도전을해야하는곳이고, 중국어와함께일본어를같이배워야하는나에게있어서는너무나도힘든곳으로 여겨져서이곳을하루빨리벗어나고싶은생각이간절했다. 그러나언제나스스로가생각하길, " 이또한지나가리라 " 라는마음으로하루하루최선을다해서유학생활에성실히임하자고생각했고, 긍정적인힘으로유학생활의반이넘어가는지금까지의기나긴시간을포기하지않고잘이겨낼수있었던것같다. 정치대에서언어중심 1년그리고대학생활 1년반을넘어가며많은일들이있었다. 가장크게기억에남는일은처음의만남부터지금까지내가어려움이있을때마다주저하지않고힘껏도와준대만언니였다. 간단히식당에서밥을주문하는것부터시작해은행에서통장만들기, 비자문제, 우체국관련, 교통카드만들기, 이사하기등의사소하면사소하다고할수있는그런일들이지만외국인입장인나에게있어서는결코쉬운일이아니었다. 내가대만생활에적응할수있게그러한일들을하나하나도와준대만언니는낯선외국에첫발을내딛은나에게는너무나고마운사람이었다. 한국에큰관심을가지고한국어공부를열심히하고싶어하는것은물론한국에대해여러가지이해를하고싶어하는대만친구들과언어교환을하면서소소한추억도많이쌓아갔다. 서로의나라에궁금한점도묻고, 토론도하며때로는한류문화와좋아하는연예인의이야기를하며한국어와중국어를열심히공부했다. 이러한 My NCCU, My Story

27 Stories 김윤진 만남은훗날나에게있어서한, 중통역과번역에크나큰도움이되었다. 예를들면언어중심에서공부하고경험했던것을토대로나는대학교 1학년때부터사무실보조및열람실관리와정치대언어중심에서중국어를배우러온한국학생들을위한간단한설명회의일을맡고있는데이러한일을할때에는중국어실력은굉장히중요했고또한이것을한국어로매끄럽게풀어서통역하는일은더더욱중요한일이였다. 한, 중통역및번역관련일을맡았을때는긴장도되고사무실선생님이말씀하신중국어를내가제대로알아들은건가긴가민가한적도있었기에처음에는실수도많이있었지만점차적응이되가면서어느정도능숙하게한, 중통역및번역을할수있게되었다. 정치대에서만나는사람들은모두가나의중국어선생님이기때문에매일다양한사람들의중국어를배워나갈수있었다. 대학에서주로중국어와일본어를써야하는특수한환경덕분에나날이발전하고있는기분이들었다. 이러한경험을토대로나는훗날내가어떠한일을하게될지는아직모르지만분명지금경험하고있는중국어와일본어를자유롭게구사할수있는그러한어학관련일을하게될것같다. 사람을만나며통역을하는일, 한국문화를소개하며널리알리는일, 한국문학작품을중국어, 일본어로소개하는일혹은반대로중화권의문학작품과일본문학을번역해서한국인들에게소개하는일등외국어를잘하면너무나도매력이넘치는많은일들을할수있기때문에앞으로도열심히외국어공부를잘하고싶다. 처음외국유학생활을하면서앞으로내가이곳에서무엇을배워나갈지에대한답을찾지못했으나중국어를 1년간공부하고, 대학에들어와서는중국어를토대로일본을공부하며차츰내자신이어떻게살고싶은지, 이곳에서배운것들을가지고어떻게꿈을갖고실현시키고싶은지알게된것같다. 유학은결코쉽지가않다. 올해 3학년이되는나에게있어서순식간에그간의유학생활시간들이지나갔고앞으로의졸업까지얼마남지 않은시간이있기에더욱이유학이라는것은참으로인간을성숙하게만드는과정이라는것을매일깨닫고있다. 유학생활하면서많은것을배웠고, 특히나어학면에서는스스로의부족한점을매일깨닫고있기에노력하지않으면안되었다. 대만내의여행도많이가보았으며좋은사람들도많이만나어려울때도움을받기도하고힘들때위로를해주었다. 때로는내가하는이유학생활에회의감을느껴목놓아펑펑울기도하고, 막연한미래에대해두려움을느끼기도했으나이러한어두운면과함께늘노력한만큼의좋은결과도성취해왔다. 내인생의 20대초반을시작한대만에서나는한국에있었더라면쉽사리경험할수없는것들을매일마주치고있다. 정치대에서아기걸음마수준의중국어를처음으로배워나가며조금은유창한중국어를할수있게되었고, 그리고중국어를토대로이제는일본어를배우고있으니여러모로인생에있어서가장값진경험을하고있다고생각한다. 10대시절의나는혼자서해낼수있는것들이거의없었다. 늘주변인들의도움을받았고무엇을원하는지, 배우고싶은지에대해스스로결정을내리기가어려웠다. 그러나유학을시작하면서무엇이든스스로판단해서결정을내리지않으면안되었기때문에독립심이많이길러진것같다. 중국어를어떻게배워야하는지, 생활속의중국어는어떻게쓰이는지, 대학에서무엇을전공하고싶은지, 대학에서무엇을배우고싶은지, 앞으로내가어떠한일을하고싶은지에대한수만가지의물음과답을정치대에서나는배워나가고있으며앞으로도이러한답찾기는인생에큰도움이되리라생각한다. 마지막으로지금까지유학생활을결코나혼자해온것이아니기에정치대에서유학을시작하며다양한사람들을만나고도움을받았다. 크고작은일들을함께나누며내 20대의시작과과정이늘배우고성장할수있었다는것을느끼며앞으로남은유학생활도최선을다하고자한다. 21 My NCCU, My Story

28 Stories 장유진 장유진 Yoojin Jang Degree student Home country : Republic of Korea Language : Korean 22 NCCU is very different from the universities in Korea in many ways. For example, the relaxed atmosphere, the close relationship between junior and senior students, and between students and the professor. Therefore, after staying in Taiwan for some time, I became more confident and relaxed. Attending various events, like doing language exchange, going to Department Karaoke and attending Turkish Department Night, also enabled me to improve my language skills and increase my cultural knowledge. More than that, the internationalized campus and Taipei city where foreigners from different nationalities are easily accessible has also helped me build my intercultural awareness. 나의정치대학교유학생활 한국에있는대학에입학하여학교를다니고있을때몇달동안외국에가계셨던아버지께서귀국하셨다. 그리고얼마뒤아버지께서중화권에서대학을다녀볼것을권유하셨다. 새로운도전을해보라는것이었다. 엄마역시인생에서몇번의기회가있는데이번이한번의기회일수있다고하셨다. 겁이많아처음에는두려웠지만결심을하고나서는설레임을가지고중국어공부를했다. 대만에서처음엔어학당에서중국어를배웠다. 외국친구들과함께중국어를배우면서나는내미래에대해많은생각을했다. 그리고 중국어를열심히익혔다. 대학을선택해야할시간이왔을때나는또다른언어학과에원서를넣기고결정하고, 정치대터키어과에지원하여면접을거쳐서합격하게되었다. 처음에정치대에다니면서느낀점은한국과대학교문화가많이다르다는것이었다. 선배님들과친구처럼지내고교수님과도친하게지낼수있는문화가마음에들었다. 등교첫날이아직까지도기억에남는다. 모든게중국어로이루어졌고, 어학당에서외국인들과중국어를배우는상황과완전달랐다. 이런상황이굉장히낯설어서힘도들었지만대만친구들이내가한국인인것을알고굉장히많이도와줘서학과공부에잘적응했다. 터키어과는나에게굉장히매력이있는학과로 My NCCU, My Story

29 Stories 장유진 Turkish Night is held every year in my department of Turkish Language and Culture, aiming to familiarize students with Turkish culture and facilitates a closer bond among students. Various performances such as dancing, singing, musical, musical instrument performance and many others were seen at the event last year 2013 and every student was offered the opportunity to go on the stage. Specifically, musicals were performed in Turkish and Chinese subtitles were provided for the students of other majors. 23 다가왔다. 그이유는똑같은수준에서내가대만친구들한테도움을받지않고나스스로의노력으로좋은성적을받을수있는것이었다. 대만친구들도터키어를아예모르는상태에서배우는것이었고나또한마찬가지였기때문이다. 한국에서는공부할때여러가지걱정이많았는데, 정치대에선달랐다. 터키어를공부하면서희미했던나의미래가점점뚜렷해졌다. 학교생활에적응을하고나서는약간의여유가생겨학과친구들과중국어-한국어언어교환을했다. 언어교환을하면서언어뿐만아니라어학당에서배울수없었던대만문화를배웠고, 한국어를가르쳐줄때또한중국어로해야했기때문에중국어가많이늘었다. 학과에서열리는학과가라오케, 터키어과의밤등축제도정말 재미있었고, 정치대에서보내는대학생활을점점즐기게되었다. 정치대학교에는한국유학생회가있는데한국유학생회가여는여러활동을참여하면서한국사람들도많이알게되었다. 특히기억나는활동은 운동회 와 한국유학생의밤 이다. 운동회에서는열심히최선을다해여러상품들을받았다. 1등을하면한국으로가는비행기티켓을받을수있는데, 아쉽게도 1등은하지못했다. 운동회에는정치대한국어학과대만친구들이많이왔었다. 대만생활에서나를도와줬었던착한대만친구들을생각하면서나도그친구들의한국어발음이나문법을고쳐주면서친해졌다. My NCCU, My Story

30 Stories 장유진 한국유학생의밤 은대만의똥취라는중심가에서열렸는데옷을예쁘게입고가서내가베스트드레서로뽑혔다. 덕분에상품도받았고정치대에서다른학과에다니고있는친구들과, 새로입학한친구들그리고정치대를넘어서대만에있는다른대학교에다니고있는한국사람들과알게되었다. 좋은경험이었다. 24 나는내년즈음에터키앙카라혹은이스탄불로교환학생을가고싶다. 정치대에는교환학생장학금제도가있다는것을알게되었다. 정치대에는자매학교가많고장학금혜택까지있어서교환학생을가기좋은환경인것같다. 열심히노력해서장학금혜택을받고싶다. 그리고영어를좀더열심히공부해서영어권에도장학금으로가고싶다. 나는중화권유학을생각하는사람들에게정말대만을추천해주고싶다. 여섯살때에베이징에서 2년동안초등학교를다닌적이있는데, 그때는어린이유도있었겠지만중국문화가참낯설고적응이힘들었다. 반면에대만은한국과일본그리고중국문화를섞어놓은것같아서비교적적응하기가쉬워대만을추천하고싶다. 또한한국의이태원거리처럼대만특히타이베이에는외국인이굉장히많다. 정치대또한마찬가지로외국인학생이굉장히많아서대만친구들뿐만아니라서양에서온친구들과문화교류, 언어교환을할수있어서좋다. 외국학생이많기때문에학교에서도외국학생을잘관리해준다. 정치대에서 3학기동안대학생활을했는데흘러가는시간이정말빠르게느껴진다. 이건여기대학생활이지루하지않고힘들지않고즐겁기때문이라생각한다. 앞으로남은 2년 6개월이기대된다. 물론나는좋은결과를위해많은노력도할것이다. 정치대터키어학과 2학년, 장유진- My NCCU, My Story

31 Stories Даниэль Антонио Гусман Бриман Даниэль Антонио Гусман Бриман Daniel Antonio Guzman Briman Degree student Home country : Russia and Nicaragua (Dual citizen) Language : Spanish Life is all about making choices. Four years ago, I chose NCCU located in Taipei, Taiwan to pursue my undergraduate degree in Business Administration. Despite the fact that I have been living miles away from home in a totally different environment and culture, I do not have any regrets. I can foresee that the whole experience has projected a promising path for my future career. This important chapter is soon coming to an end, and I can proudly say that this is by far the best decision I have ever made. 25 Si alguien me hubiera dicho que estaría hoy en Asia culminando mis estudios de carrera, la verdad es que nunca lo hubiese creído. Se podría decir que toda esta aventura empezó a finales del año 2009 cuando me bachilleré del Colegio Centro América en Managua, Nicaragua. Aunque haya finalizado mis estudios de Secundaria con honores, aún no me sentía preparado para empezar una nueva etapa en mi vida, mucho menos una que afectaría mi futuro de manera tan drástica. Recuerdo haberpasado noches enteras sin dormir preocupado porque no sabía a qué universidades aplicar, ni mucho menos qué carrera iba a estudiar. Tenía tantas metas y sueños dando vueltas en mi cabeza una y otra vez, que simplemente no sabía por dónde empezar. Para mi desgracia en tan sólo un abrir y cerrar de ojos, había llegado el tiempo de decidir qué iba a hacer con mi vida universitaria. Desde niño siempre había querido estudiar en Asia, de hecho muchas veces les decía a mis familiares que un día iba a aprender chino. A lo mejor en ese entonces nadie tomaba mis comentarios en serio, pero yo sí; así que sin perder más tiempo empecé a buscar información en distintas embajadas y consulados. Definitivamente me sorprendió mucho la gran cantidad de becas que se ofrecen cada año en Nicaragua y sin duda My NCCU, My Story

32 Stories Даниэль Антонио Гусман Бриман The Department of Business Administration proudly celebrates its 50th Anniversary ( ). I am proud to be a student of College of Commerce at NCCU, the only one in Taiwan that obtained double accreditation (EQUIS and AACSB) and is highly recognized internationally. 26 alguna me sentí muy apoyado al tener tantas puertas abiertas. Finalmente decidí optar por Taiwán y solicité el programa de becas ICDF para estudiar la carrera de Administración de Empresas en la Universidad Nacional de Chengchi, universidad que escogí por su excelente currículum académico y por la reputación que tiene a nivel mundial como una de las mejores en las áreas de gerencia, mercadeo y negocios internacionales. Escogí estudiar Administración porque me llamó mucho la atención tanto el perfil de la profesión como también sus diversos campos de acción y desarrollo. Siempre he sido un alumno muy activo y esta universidad me ha dado justo lo que necesito: tener acceso a un sinnúmero de oportunidades para explorar y mejorar mis habilidades de liderazgo y trabajo en equipo. Estando acá he hecho de todo, desde ser representante y miembro activo de varios clubs estudiantiles (AIESEC, debate, periodismo, teatro, música, Taekwondo, entre otros), hasta participar en las competencias regionales de barco-dragón con el equipo del distrito de Wenshan. También representé a Taiwán en la sexta competencia anual de cultura e idioma chino mandarín CCTV Chinese Bridge que tuvo lugar en la ciudad de Pekín. Otra de mis grandes motivaciones para cursar mis estudios superiores en Taiwán, como mencioné anteriormente, fue la oportunidad de aprender el idioma chino mandarín (en su forma tradicional), cuya importancia continúa creciendo a gran escala en el panorama internacional. Después de casi cuatro años viviendo y estudiando en la ciudad de Taipei, puedo decir que la experiencia ha sido más que increíble. He aprendido mucho no sólo en el aula de clases con la experiencia y el dinamismo de excelentes docentes, sino también en las distintas actividades extracurriculares que están a mi alcance. Considero que todo el tiempo invertido en Taiwán me dará muy buenos frutos para mi futura carrera profesional. El estar inmerso en un campus tan dinámico e internacional con compañeros y profesores que vienen de todas partes del mundo, me ha permitido conocer distintas opiniones y puntos de vista. Estando acá, al otro lado del mundo, se ampliaron mis horizontes y por fin puedo decir orgulloso que poseo una visión global acerca del mundo y de sus habitantes. La decisión que tomé hace cuatro años no fue en vano, pues me convertí en un líder que abraza sin miedo el multiculturalismo de hoy día y es capaz de entender y respetar distintas culturas e ideologías. My NCCU, My Story

33 Stories Maryoriet Nicole Rosales Salgado Maryoriet Nicole Rosales Salgado Degree student Home country : Honduras Language : Spanish Concerned with the economic, social, and political situations in my homeland, I became committed to finding ways to improve my country s conditions. I decided to strengthen my skills, obtain necessary tools and training to become an agent of change by applying to study at NCCU. My classmates at NCCU are the highlight of my experience due to the variety of their cultural backgrounds, each of them contributing to a new perspective from different parts of the world. Something as simple as daily interaction can inspire, challenge and reassure me. Even though my journey has just started it has greatly influenced my path in life, transforming me into a more tolerant and passionate young professional. 27 Como hondureña he sido marcada por las realidades económicas, políticas y sociales de mi país. Crecí en un país pobre, pero gracias a la influencia de mi madre, una mujer soltera, fuerte y poseedora de una visión clara del futuro, soy parte de las pocas cifras de afortunadas con acceso a una educación. Me desarrollé creyendo en mi país, en el poder de la educación y vi en mi familia las recompensas del trabajo arduo. Influenciada por un ambiente familiar, alejado del núcleo común que presiona la sociedad, fui expuesta a conocer del mundo. Desde pequeña formé parte de proyectos de enfoque mundial, siendo el objetivo principal de mi madre mejorar mi inglés, y tras ese objetivo formé parte de CISV, una comunidad global de voluntarios enfocada en construir amistad global, la cual me dio la oportunidad de comenzar a conocer a personas de todas partes del mundo. Tales experiencias fueron aumentando mi curiosidad, con la esperanza de poder viajar, conocer y hablar con individuos de diferentes My NCCU, My Story

34 Stories Maryoriet Nicole Rosales Salgado 28 Exploring Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, the 20th-century influential political leader, also the first President and permanent honorary President of NCCU. religiones y opiniones, afortunadamente logré hacerlo a una corta edad, lo cual influenció inmensamente mis intereses y forma de vivir. Tras finalizar mi carrera en comunicaciones comencé a trabajar para un gran proyecto de desarrollo en mi país, el cual me expuso a la extrema pobreza que lo ataca. En mi corta experiencia logré conocer comunidades que jamás había escuchado, aprendí a hablar el español de mi gente, experimenté cómo se vive y logré conocer situaciones y todo tipo de gente en el área rural. Logre ver por mi misma los problemas y consecuencias de la corrupción y todos los estados de la pobreza. En cada visita, en cada conversación y tras cada fotografía, que formaba parte de mis deberes, almacené conocimientos, experiencias, conversaciones y objetivos que forjaron mis decisiones de ese punto de mi vida en adelante. De alguna manera, todas esas experiencias, profesionales y personales me llevaron a un mismo interés: el desarrollo de mi país. Siempre valorando el impacto de una buena educación, concluí mi necesidad por más y mejores conocimientos, sabía que aun con la actitud correcta debía prepararme con más herramientas de carácter global. Había llegado el punto en mi vida en donde debía desprenderme de mi ambiente y vivir una experiencia incomparable. Gracias a la ayuda financiera que proporciona el Fondo de Cooperación y desarrollo de Taiwán, logré obtener una beca completa, la cual ahora My NCCU, My Story

35 Stories Maryoriet Nicole Rosales Salgado me permite realizar el programa de maestría de Estudios Internacionales en la Universidad Nacional de Chencghi (National Chencgchi University, conocida por los extranjeros como NCCU y afamada por su especialidad en las ciencias sociales). Enfocándome en la rama de desarrollo internacional, he sido expuesta a las teorías de política internacional, modelos de proyectos de desarrollo y profesionales del gremio que con sus opiniones y experiencias han logrado forjar la mía, contribuyendo a mi deseo de regresar un día a implementar todo el conocimiento adquirido en mi país. El valor de una maestría, que como tal ni siquiera existe en mi país es indescriptible. Tener la habilidad de conocer esta parte del mundo, la cual está llena de tradiciones y una cultura extremadamente diferente a la mía es realmente enriquecedor. La cúspide de mi experiencia es definitivamente la convivencia con mis compañeros, que provenientes de todas partes del mundo han logrado influenciarme, inspirarme y asegurar mis propósitos en este mundo. El poder compartir opiniones y experiencias con ciudadanos africanos, centroamericanos, europeos y asiáticos en una misma aula de clase es verdaderamente poderoso, y las conclusiones comunes, que individuos tan distintos pueden obtener sobre un mismo tema, son realmente impresionantes. precio para la seguridad, y la manera en que con libertad camino por las calles de este país, lo cual contribuye enormemente a mi experiencia. La comunidad taiwanesa me ha recibido con extrema amabilidad. Desde que aterricé me vi expuesta a tener que comunicarme y al no entender el idioma, me fui dando cuenta del verdadero significado de cortesía, porque en cada precio o dirección que pedí encontré a alguien que no solamente se paraba a ayudarme, pero cambiaba su rumbo para mostrarme. Taiwán me ha mostrado respeto, desde campañas gubernamentales que exaltan a los ciudadanos de tercera edad, hasta el poder visitar un templo que alberga varias filosofías y religiones. En tan poco tiempo, Taiwán y esta universidad me han permitido explorar, disfrutar, e influenciarme del desarrollo puro, que sin intención me han convertido en una mejor profesional, ahora más tolerante y con muchas ganas de construir un país asentado en respeto y libertad. 29 Mi experiencia en NCCU ha sido única, ya que el simple hecho de compartir una habitación, salirme de mi zona de confort y crear un ambiente cómodo que acompaña mi nueva rutina me hace crecer como individuo. Hacer amigos de diferentes culturas e involucrarme en actividades extracurriculares es ahora mi definición de calidad de vida. No existe un My NCCU, My Story

36 Stories María del Carmen Fleitas Delgado María del Carmen Fleitas Delgado Maria del Carmen Fleitas Delgado Degree student Home country : Paraguay Language : Spanish 30 People always say Life gives you amazing surprises. To me, life gave me the surprise to live in Taiwan for five years and to study in this beautiful university at NCCU. Here I had the opportunity to learn from the best professors and to make friends from people all over the world. NCCU experience is a new page of my life, and has made me a complete different person in no doubt an amazingly positive way. Cuando era pequeña siempre soñaba en convertirme en una diplomática y representar a mi país, el Paraguay. En el 2009, tuve la oportunidad de realizar mis estudios universitarios en la República de China Taiwán (R.O.C). Al llegar a esta hermosa isla, vine con un objetivo: estudiar en una de las universidades más prestigiosas la carrera de Diplomacia/ Relaciones Internacionales. Desde ese momento, los taiwaneses me recomendaron la National Chengchi University, la cual para ellos, es una de las mejores Universidades en el área de las Ciencias Sociales, debido a su amplia gama de profesores especializados en el estudio de las Relaciones Taiwán-China, así mismo como en el área de Comercio Internacional. Aparte de su buena reputación académica, la NCCU tiene otra peculiaridad la ubicación. La NCCU está localizada en Muzha, cerca del Zoológico de Taipéi entre las montañas, su paisaje es para quitarte el aliento, vivo ejemplo de que Taipéi es una ciudad moderna y a la vez puede conservar hermosos lugares naturales. Ubicada a 15 minutos de Maokong Gondola y a 20 minutos de Taipei 101, la NCCU está situada en una zona muy especial. Por esta razón, decidí solicitar la NCCU, y al ser informada que fui aceptada por el Departamento de Diplomacia tuve una alegría inmensa, sabía que me estaba embarcando a una de las aventuras más memorables de toda mi vida. My NCCU, My Story

37 Stories María del Carmen Fleitas Delgado During the 2012 World Food Festival, one of the biggest annual events organized by NCCU in the middle of second semester aiming to promote various cultures and consolidate internationalization, I (second from left) am proud to make authentic food like chipaguazu, empanada, alfajores at Paraguay Stand. 31 Es el excelente programa de Diplomacia que me ha dado la oportunidad de participar en diferentes actividades que realmente me han ayudado a expandir mis conocimientos académicos. Por ejemplo: el Modelo de las Naciones Unidas (NMUN), que es realizado en Nueva York a mediados de Marzo, fue uno de los eventos más importantes en el que he participado durante mi carrera universitaria. Cabe resaltar que el Departamento de Diplomacia de la NCCU es una de las 3 universidades en Taiwán que envían a sus estudiantes anualmente a dicho evento. Fue una experiencia que si no estaba en la NCCU no iba a poder realizar. Además de abrirme las puertas al mundo, tuve la oportunidad de interactuar más con mis compañeros taiwaneses. Aparte de eso, en la NCCU he conocido a personas ejemplares, personas que han cambiado mi vida y me han ayudado a tener una perspectiva diferente. Nunca pensé en conocer a personas de todas partes del mundo; gracias a ellos puedo decir que me he convertido en una ciudadana del mundo. Pero claro, no hay tiempo que no llegue ni plazo que no se cumpla. En unos cuantos meses me tocará dejar esta Universidad. No obstante, dejaré impregnada en mi memoria hermosos recuerdos y personas que no podré olvidar. My NCCU, My Story

38 Stories Jeny Zheng Lan Jeny Zheng Lan Degree student Home country : Panama Language : Spanish 32 More than being a Temple of Knowledge, National Chengchi University (NCCU) is also my second home. It is here where I met my dearest and most wonderful friends. It is here where I had the most interesting and amazing and not monotonous experiences of my college life. It is here where I got the opportunity to participate several activities with internationalrecognition that enabled me to grow professionally and equipped me with skills to stay competitive in this increasingly interconnected world. Hace cinco años llegué a este hermoso país y desde que pisé tierra supe que me deparaba una vida totalmente diferente al que tenía acostumbrada, una etapa llena de experiencias únicas y nuevos retos, una etapa en donde tendría la oportunidad de conocer a mucha gente, de ser independiente y de aprender mucho para ser una mejor persona y profesionalmente competente. Mis primeros meses en Taiwán fueron muy difíciles, ya que extrañaba a mi familia y amigos, y al estar lejos me hacía muy emocional y melancólica, sin embargo con el paso del tiempo el vacío que había en mi corazón fue llenándose con afectos, cariños, atención y amor de personas que iba conociendo aquí. Siempre he dicho que la vida es como un teatro, en donde cada capítulo es indispensable para entendimiento y desarrollo del próximo capítulo, ninguna obra de teatro es completa si no hay una compilación de diversos capítulos de igual manera. La vida no es completa sin esas etapas que debemos experimentar a lo largo de la vida. Mi capítulo en NCCU empezó hace 5 años, podría describir aquel entonces como si fuera amor a primera vista! Amor a primera vista porque me negaba rotundamente en aceptar que NCCU fuera mejor que la Universidad en la cual estaba estudiando, de tanto escuchar a mi amiga describir lo bueno e increíble que era el Centro de Lenguas de NCCU, decidí venir a visitarla y ver con mis propios ojos lo bueno que era NCCU. Sin duda alguna estaba muy equivocada y me tuve que tragar todas mis palabras y aceptar que NCCU era mucho mejor. No solamente me cautivó la atención que recibí del personal administrativo; el plan de enseñanza que me ofrecía NCCU era mucho más calificado que otras universidades, My NCCU, My Story

39 Stories Jeny Zheng Lan During the photo-shooting day for Department of Diplomacy, in front of the Main Library, I (second from left) was very happy for such an important event, marking the last semester at NCCU. We are grateful for everything we experienced at NCCU and thankful for all the best friendships we made. 33 y eso lo puedo asegurar ya que he tenido la experiencia de haber cursado, aparte de NCCU, en 2 de las mejores universidades de Taiwan. El campus ejemplifica lo que siempre deseaba una universidad el cual además de tener instalaciones nuevas y modernas estuviera rodeada por la naturaleza. Después de culminar mi primer año de curso chino en el centro de lenguas, decidí solicitar para hacer mi carrera universitaria en NCCU y gracias a Dios me aceptaron en el Departamento de Diplomacia. Ya estando en mi carrera, tuve muchas oportunidades de participar en competencias tanto nacionales como internacionales, oportunidades de las cuales no hubiera tenido si no fuera por NCCU. Tuve la oportunidad de representar a la universidad en el NMUN-NY (Modelo Nacional Naciones Unidas), la única simulación reconocida por la ONU, la cual provee un ambiente académico internacional que simula el trabajo que realiza la ONU en sus diferentes órganos, agencias y programas, siendo un espacio rico en educación, cultura e innovación, ya que los participantes por medio de una ardua preparación académica, tienen la oportunidad de reconocer las problemáticas que atentan contra la integridad de la comunidad internacional, y que por medio de la negociación multilateral, el diálogo y el debate, finalmente se llega a un consenso y se emiten resoluciones tras días de debate. Igualmente se me presentó la oportunidad de representar al Departamento de Diplomacia en la competencia de alegatos "Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court." Esta competencia simula un caso entre dos Estados ficticios ante la Corte Internacional de Justicia. Ambas competencias son importantes y extensas de su tipo en el My NCCU, My Story

40 Stories Jeny Zheng Lan 34 mundo, contando con la participación de las universidades más selectas. Las oportunidades que he logrado tener aquí han sido muy enriquecedoras para mi vida profesional, algo que todos los estudiantes desearían tener, en lo personal, siendo una estudiante de relaciones internacionales, actividades o prácticas de este carácter o magnitud es de suma importancia, ya que me brinda la oportunidad de poner en práctica lo que he aprendido en mi rama. Es este lugar, en NCCU, donde he conocido a amigos provenientes de diferentes países, amigos con diferentes culturas, amigos de los cuales no solamente he aprendido mucho sino que también he tenido la gran oportunidad de enseñarles sobre mi cultura mixta de latina y china. Es aquí en donde conocí a unas de las personas que más aprecio y quiero; conocí a mi hermano francés postizo (Chris), a mi amiga incondicional Húngara Kate, a mis queridas amigas paraguayas Mabel y Carmen las cuales amo y quiero un montón, las tres juntas somos las tres mosqueteras, a mis amigos taiwaneses de los cuales no sólo he recibido hospitalidad sino también ayuda en todo lo relacionado con Taiwán. Cada una de estas personas ocupan un lugar muy importante en mi corazón y sé con certeza que aunque pasen miles de años nunca los olvidaré, guardaré en mi corazón cada momento vivido con ellos, cada una de estas personas han dejado huellas en mi corazón y mi vida no sería igual sin ellos, en especial Mabel y Carmen son las dos personas que además de ser compañeras son mis amigas del alma. tiendas. Tendré que despedirme de cada rincón de la universidad, lugares donde de una manera u otra han aportado a este capítulo de mi vida. No quisiera tener que cerrar este capìtulo, sin embargo, como lo he dicho anteriormente, el final de cada capítulo es indispensable para el próximo capítulo, y mi etapa universitaria en NCCU culminará en seis meses, el tiempo de mover hacia otra etapa de mi vida ha llegado, a una etapa en la cual pondré en práctica todo lo que he aprendido aquí. Cabe reiterar que gracias a este templo del saber soy quien soy hoy en día y estoy inmensamente agradecida con mi querida universidad. Este es mi último semestre en NCCU, y me llena de tristeza al saber que en seis meses les tendré que decir adiós a mis compañeros, a los profesores, a las personas de la administración, a los dueños de los restaurantes y de las My NCCU, My Story

41 Stories Juan Diego Prudot Juan Diego Prudot Degree student Home country : Honduras Language : Spanish I had a brief yet meaningful experience last Fall semester in 2013 while participating in an entrepreneurship competition at NCCU. Throughout it, I got to interact with teams of professionals from all around the world, with varied cultural and social backgrounds, prompting a wide range of ideas and visions. Being part of the environment that offers opportunities as well as challenges, and that combines academic aspects with interpersonal growth, has made it easy for me to seamlessly and positively integrate NCCU experience with my current and future life. 35 Escuchaba Wake me up, de Avicci, mientras levantaba mis manos para gesticular como si bailara en un concierto. No era una canción con la cual me identificara o se relacionara con la situación. Es más, apenas dos días atrás había aprendido cómo se llamaba. La escuchaba en ese momento, en el baño del sexto piso de Commerce Building en NCCU, porque me provocaba buen ánimo: sentirme positivo, que en lo que sea que hiciera iba a destacar. Necesitaba esa motivación porque en unos minutos iba a realizar una presentación de un plan de negocios ante un destacado panel de jueces con amplia experiencia en el área. Tenía que vender una idea de negocios en menos de cinco minutos, tan solo cinco minutos! Era algo que jamás había intentado. El evento se trataba de la primera competencia de planes de negocio organizado por estudiantes del programa IMBA de NCCU. Mis compañeros de equipo me escogieron a mí para hacer esta presentación. No estaba seguro por qué, de lo que si estaba seguro era que si ellos creían en mí, lo menos que podía hacer era unirme a esa hipótesis. En la primera etapa de la competencia nos separaron en tres divisiones, cada una con cuatro o cinco equipos y un panel de tres jueces. El mejor equipo de cada división pasaría a competir a la final, donde serían evaluados por los nueve jueces. My NCCU, My Story

42 Stories Juan Diego Prudot To my right and left is my team while I present at the NCCU IMBA first business plan competition at the Case Study Classroom. 36 Vale la pena decir lo fuertes que eran los equipos en nuestra división. Hubo una propuesta orientada a escritores y dos aplicaciones para teléfonos móviles: una que se veía muy avanzada pues analizaba caracteres chinos y facilitaba el aprendizaje del mandarín y otra para que las mujeres puedan organizar su guardarropa, aparentemente un problema común. La que más me impresionó fue una que permitía hacer jugar juegos online, realizar apuestas y a la vez realizar compras. Su presentación era concisa, sin titubeos, se veía el tiempo que habían dedicado en desarrollar un modelo de negocios que fuese rentable y resultara atractivo a inversionistas. Después de ver a los demás equipos recordé lo que les dije a mis compañeros cuando nos inscribimos en la competencia: Pase lo que pase, lo importante es la experiencia de participar. Ganemos o perdamos: siempre ganamos! Era cierto, pero siendo sincero con quien lee esto: no me conformaba con solo participar. En realidad confiaba en que nuestra propuesta de negocios - un servicio que entregaba platillos internacionales y tradicionales preparados en casa - era ganadora. Cuando llegó mi momento de pasar el frente, no puedo mentir, trastabillé al inicio por los nervios, pero después todo fluyó; los reiterados ensayos de la presentación surtieron efecto. Después de la deliberación de los jueces que se sintió eterna, nos comunicaron que habíamos sido elegidos para pasar a la final. Había que sacudir de inmediato el pasmo, pues solo nos dieron quince minutos para analizar si haríamos pequeñas modificaciones y luego pasamos a la última etapa. Al final, quedamos en segundo lugar de un total de trece equipos; una gran emoción compartida. Relato esta historia, pues ha sido la mejor experiencia que he tenido desde que en agosto llegué aquí procedente de mi país, Honduras. Además del aprendizaje que obtuve, las sensaciones nuevas y el proceso de desarrollar ideas de forma colectiva, esta experiencia comprende varias de las razones por las cuales decidí venir a estudiar en NCCU. Antes de inscribirme, cuando veía el panfleto promocional del IMBA de NCCU, me llamaba la atención (además de las acreditaciones del programa) el enfoque internacional que My NCCU, My Story

43 Stories Juan Diego Prudot garantizaba el intercambio cultural del día a día. Taiwán, al ser una puerta de entrada al mercado de China, me permitiría encontrar profesionales ambiciosos, ávidos de CREAR. La competencia fue una pequeña muestra de esto. Hubo personas de todos los continentes, con distintas áreas de especialización, formas de pensamiento y expresión. El jurado estaba formado por empresarios exitosos, miembros de la facultad y reconocidos invitados con los cuales no tendría contacto en una institución sin renombre, y que con una sola pregunta podían poner a prueba la sostenibilidad de todo un plan de negocios. Lo cual me lleva a otra de mis razones: salir de mi zona de confort. Aunque mis estudios y experiencia laboral sean en Ingeniería y Tecnología respectivamente, busqué un programa que me presentase retos, me obligase a romper miedos, socializar, presentar en público y al final obtener riqueza al aprender de personas, además de aprender de los libros. adoptado con toda naturalidad. El ambiente que incentiva relacionarse con todos sin prejuicios y reservas me hace desenvolverme socialmente con más facilidad. El viaje en bicicleta de ida y vuelta del campus ayuda mi salud. Y cada vez que quiero, salgo a correr al lado del río y hacer ejercicio al aire libre en las barras instaladas para ello. Al tener compañeros tan determinados, hay un ambiente que incentiva la auto-superación, el que va mejor marca el paso y nadie se puede quedar atrás. Esto último ha sido clave para no tirar la toalla con los estudios de mandarín que, frustrantes a veces, sé que representan una de las cosas más valiosas que me llevaré de aquí. Mis compañeros, el programa, la universidad y la ciudad, realmente todo me hace sentir estar en el lugar adecuado en el momento correcto. Me lleva a pensar, como dice la canción de Avicci: No puedo decir dónde el viaje terminará. Pero sé dónde comienza. En fin, parece que si me identifico un poco. 37 Aunque procure hacer actividades distintas para no caer en monotonía, he desarrollado algunos hábitos como estudiante de NCCU que he My NCCU, My Story

44 Stories Dita Siti Nurhayati Anastasia Diliani Dita Siti Nurhayati Anastasia Diliani Degree student Home country : Indonesia Language : Bahasa Indonesia 38 For me, NCCU is a campus of encouragement. As an Indonesian student studying abroad for the first time, I do not find any major difficulties adapting to this new environment. The friendly and supportive atmosphere has helped me strengthen my self-confidence by engaging with people from diverse cultural groups with an open mind. It has been one of the most valuable experiences I have ever had. Saya adalah mahasiswa Indonesia asal Aceh. Bersama dengan seorang teman lainnya kami berhasil lolos seleksi penerimaan mahasiswa di NCCU dari 5 orang asal Aceh yang juga mengirimkan aplikasi ke kampus ini. Saya memilih NCCU karena mungkin hanya NCCU yang memiliki program internasional untuk studi S3 di Taiwan. Selain itu, NCCU juga terkenal sebagai kampus terbaik di Taiwan dalam bidang Sosiologi yang mana saya sangat tertarik dengan bidang ini. Sulit bagi saya untuk menceritakan pengalaman yang kurang menyenangkan di kampus ini kecuali saat saya salah memencet tombol peringatan yang saya pikir adalah tombol untuk menyiram toilet. Saat pertama kali menjejakkan kaki di kampus NCCU, saya sudah merasakan bahwa saya akan mendapatkan pengalaman yang luar biasa disini. Dan ternyata perasaan saya benar adanya. Masuk ke lingkungan kampus, orang yang pertama saya temui bukanlah dosen, ketua program atau dekan, tapi staf OIC (Office of International Cooperation). Selama 3.5 tahun menjadi mahasiswa internasional di sini, pelayanan yang diberikan oleh staf OIC tidak pernah mengecewakan. Mulai dari menyebarkan informasi tentang kampus hingga membantu kami dalam pencarian beasiswa dari pemerintah My NCCU, My Story

45 Stories Dita Siti Nurhayati Anastasia Diliani At the NCCU Anniversary Celebration in 2012 after watching the running race on the track and field, I (with hijab) took a picture with my friends Johnny (left in black) from Linguistics; Devi (second from left) from Computer Sciences; Marcella (second from right) from Economics and Rangga (with cap) from International Doctoral Program in Asia-Pacific Studies. 39 kami, mereka melakukannya dengan baik dan profesional. Hal yang luar biasa saya dapatkan dari seorang staf OIC yang saya kenal adalah dia menawarkan bantuan saat saya sedang dalam kesulitan. Walaupun saya menolak untuk menerima bantuannya, namun sampai kapan pun saya akan selalu mengingat kebaikannya tersebut. Memulai perkuliahan, saya harus menyesuaikan diri mulai dari bahasa hingga cara saya berkomunikasi. Seluruh teman kelas saya berasal dari negara yang berbeda. Jerman, Amerika, Jepang, Prancis, Kanada, Taiwan, Brazil, Polandia dan Switzerland. Saat bersama mereka di kelas, saya merasa seperti sedang hadir dalam rapat Perserikatan Bangsa-Bangsa. Saya memiliki keterbatasan dalam menggunakan bahasa Inggris terutama dalam tulisan. Namun, suasana kelas, perhatian dari pengajar dan dukungan dari para teman-teman membuat saya mampu mengatasi keterbatasan tersebut. Seorang pengajar menyadari bahwa saya memiliki kelemahan dalam bidang yang diajarnya. Seperti halnya antara orang tua dengan anak, beliau memanggil saya ke ruangannya dan membahas permasalahan tersebut. Dan tampaknya, semua dosen akan melakukan yang sama apabila dirasa mahasiswanya mengalami keterbatasan dalam belajar. Sungguh suatu hal yang jarang saya temukan di dunia perkuliahan di Indonesia. Fasilitas yang disediakan oleh NCCU My NCCU, My Story

46 Stories Dita Siti Nurhayati Anastasia Diliani 40 untuk mendukung kegiatan mahasiswanya juga menurut saya luar biasa. Mulai dari perpustakaan dengan buku-buku yang berkualitas hingga pusat komputer yang lengkap dengan perlengkapan pendukung lainnya, membuat seluruh kegiatan perkuliahan yang saya lakukan menjadi lebih mudah dan nyaman. Dari cerita yang saya dengar dari teman saya dikampus lain, saya sangat senang ternyata kebijakan perpustakaan NCCU lebih memfasilitasi mahasiswanya daripada kampus teman saya tersebut. Buku di perpustakaan NCCU dapat dipinjam selama 4 minggu bahkan lebih, sedangkan buku di perpustakaan kampus teman saya tersebut hanya boleh dipinjam selama 2 minggu. Sungguh sayang. Saya belum mencoba semua fasilitas yang dimiliki oleh NCCU, misalnya kolam renang dan pusat olahraga. Tapi saya berjanji, sebelum saya lulus, kedua fasilitas ini sudah harus saya coba terlebih dahulu. Itulah beberapa pengalaman menarik yang saya peroleh sebagai mahasiswa NCCU selama 3.5 tahun ini. Pengalaman ini akan menjadi suatu pengalaman berharga yang tidak akan pernah saya lupakan. Dampak yang saya peroleh dengan menjadi mahasiswa NCCU adalah saya menjadi pribadi yang berpikir lebih positif, sabar, komunikatif, percaya diri, kuat dan siap menghadapi tantangan di masa depan. Pengalaman yang saya peroleh di NCCU akan saya bagi dengan teman-teman di Aceh untuk kemajuan daerah kami ke depannya, terlebih profesi saya sebagai pegawai pemerintah tentunya dapat berkontribusi langsung dalam pembuatan kebijakan terkait bidang pendidikan. Suasana kampus NCCU dapat menjadi contoh untuk meningkatkan kualitas universitas negeri yang ada di Aceh tentunya dan saya berharap lulusan yang dihasilkan oleh universitas di Aceh akan berkualitas seperti halnya mahasiswa lulusan dari National Chengchi University. Hal yang menarik lainnya dari kampus ini adalah kegiatan-kegiatan non-studi yang membuat saya lebih mengenal mahasiswa lainnya bukan hanya mahasiswa dari Indonesia sendiri tapi juga mahasiswa dari negara lain, seperti Thailand dan Malaysia. World Food Festival adalah salah satu kegiatan di NCCU yang membuat saya semakin mencintai kampus ini. Di festival ini, saya dapat mencicipi makanan dari berbagai negara dan tentunya dari negara yang standnya berada di kanan-kiri stand kami, Thailand dan Malaysia. Walaupun disini kami bersaing menjual makanan khas negara kami masing-masing, tapi saat makanan negara tetangga sudah habis atau sebaliknya, kami saling membantu untuk mempromosikan makanan yang masih ada untuk dapat terjual habis. Bukankah sesama anggota ASEAN kami harus saling membantu? My NCCU, My Story

47 Stories Retno Widyastuti Retno Widyastuti Degree student Home country : Indonesia Language : Bahasa Indonesia My dream is to be a lecturer and expert in East Asian studies, specifically in terms of its society and culture. I think I made the right decision to choose to study in NCCU in Taiwan especially considering its strategic position as the gate for Asia Pacific region. During my study in NCCU, I found my passion in ethnology and anthropology, learned and experienced in such highly academic environment. It was a rewardingly rich experience for me because Taiwan not only provides a very international environment, but also preserves valuable traditional Chinese culture. 41 Nama saya Retno, mahasiswa Indonesia yang saat ini tengah mengambil studi master di jurusan studi Asia Pasifik, National Chengchi University (NCCU), Taiwan. Alasan saya melanjutkan studi di Taiwan adalah untuk memperdalam pengetahuan dan menambah pengalaman saya terkait kawasan Asia Timur, khususnya bidang masyarakat dan budaya. Adalah mimpi saya, untuk menjadi seorang dosen dan ahli dalam kekhususan ini. Pilihan saya untuk melanjutkan studi di bumi Formosa memang tepat. Saat ini, sudah 1,5 tahun saya menuntut ilmu di NCCU. Di kalangan masyarakat Taiwan, NCCU merupakan salah satu kampus ternama dan paling unggul di bidang studi ilmu sosial, hubungan internasional diplomasi, bahasa serta bisnis. Dalam perjalanannya, ada banyak hal baru dan penting yang saya temukan dan pelajari; saya menemukan passion saya di bidang etnologi dan antropologi, berkesempatan untuk mempelajari budaya tradisional China dan metode penelitian secara mendalam, serta saya juga merasakan suasana lingkungan akademik yang menyenangkan. Posisi geografis Taiwan yang sangat strategis sebagai gerbang benua Asia di kawasan Pasifik, memberi kesempatan saya untuk bertemu orang dari berbagai belahan dunia, My NCCU, My Story

48 Stories Retno Widyastuti It was my great pleasure to celebrate my friend s graduation on the Commemoration Day, June Soon I will be the next one to graduate from NCCU and take such memorable picture in front of the Administration Building, too. 42 termasuk dengan orang dari negara-negara yang belum pernah saya temui sebelumnya seperti negara Oseania dan Amerika Latin. Pertemanan dan jaringan internasional, bisa saya bangun dan kembangkan dengan sangat baik di sini. NCCU memberikan kesempatan untuk saya mengikuti beberapa kegiatan akademik skala internasional dengan mempresentasikan tulisan saya dalam konferensi di Daejeon Korea Selatan, Penghu Taiwan,Quezon City Filipina, Hong Kong dan juga Chiba - Jepang. Dan di NCCU saya juga bisa mengembangkan kemampuan nonakademik seperti leadership skill, dengan mengikuti berbagai kegiatan mahasiswa di tingkat lokal maupun internasional, serta kemampuan Bahasa Inggris dan Mandarin. Tentu, dengan pengalaman saya selama menuntut ilmu di NCCU dan tinggal di Taiwan (baik akademik maupun non-akademik) menunjang rencana karir saya sebagai dosen dan ahli Asia Timur di masa depan. Dampaknya bahkan sudah saya rasakan saat ini, khususnya dalam jaringan Internasional dan lingkungan kerja yang multi-kultur. Hal ini dapat saya terapkan seoptimal mungkin dalam berkontribusi dalam mengembangkan keilmuan dan mempererat hubungan antara Taiwan dengan Indonesia. Terima kasih NCCU. My NCCU, My Story

49 Stories Ni matun Nasim Ni matun Nasim Chinese Language Center student Home country : Indonesia Home university : Universitas Indonesia Language : Bahasa Indonesia My NCCU experience as an international student is an unexpectedly fruitful journey towards many precious gifts: solid knowledge, authentic friendships, and profound wisdom. The big difference in culture and language that I must face every day leads me to a new phase of my life. Tolerance is the most valuable lesson during my stay here. In such environment with diverse cultural backgrounds, I finally come to see a much more comprehensive meaning of being tolerant. I m so grateful to be one of NCCU international students, who can advance understanding not only about Chinese language, but also about different cultures from around the world, including about Taiwanese culture at a broader level. 43 Pada saat memutuskan untuk belajar ke Taiwan, motivasi terbesar saat itu adalah meningkatkan kemampuan bahasa Mandarin yang pernah saya pelajari sebelumnya di Universitas Indonesia. Saya beranggapan bahwa mempelajari suatu bahasa asing akan lebih mudah apabila kita dapat terjun langsung dalam lingkungan bahasa tersebut. Ketika saya mulai mempelajari bahasa Mandarin di Taiwan, tepatnya di NCCU, berbagai macam pengalaman telah saya lalui, mulai dari senang, sedih, bosan, takut, dan sebagainya. Pengalaman terpenting yang saya dapatkan selama di sini adalah Toleransi. Dulu saya meyakini bahwa diri ini sudah menguasai dan memahami apa itu makna toleransi. Suatu istilah umum yang sudah saya pelajari sejak bangku sekolah dasar itu nyatanya baru saya pahami justru ketika saya berada di pulau Formosa ini. Makna toleransi justru akan dapat kita rasakan ketika kita menjadi pihak minoritas dalam suatu komunitas masyarakat tertentu. Menjadi seorang muslim di tengah komunitas non-muslim merupakan pengalaman yang sangat berharga. Pada awalnya tentu tidaklah mudah. Berbagai penyesuaian atau bahkan My NCCU, My Story

50 Stories Ni matun Nasim Wisdom will always appear when we know how to be grateful for life 44 anggapan kurang menyenangkan telah saya alami di sini. Mengapa Anda memakai hijab di cuaca sepanas ini? Lepas saja hijab Anda selama di sini. Agama Anda sangat ketat, ya?! Pertanyaan dan pernyataan di atas adalah halhal lumrah yang saya mesti hadapi di sini. Pada awalnya kedua telinga ini sangat terganggu akan adanya pertanyaan dan peryataan di atas. Namun, seiring dengan berjalannya waktu, saya pun mulai terbiasa akan hal itu dan tidak terganggu dengan hadirnya pertanyaanpertanyaan tersebut. Terlebih lagi ketika ada beberapa orang yang sangat menghargai dan bahkan memaklumi akan keberadaan serta konsekuensi yang saya harus jalani sebagai seorang muslim. Kehadiran mereka inilah yang membuat saya menyadari akan indahnya sikap toleransi yang benar, yaitu ketika kita menghormati kepercayaan orang lain tanpa harus mengeluarkan komentar-komentar yang mengandung makna judgmental. toleransi yang mulai kabur di Indonesia seiring dengan maraknya aksi-aksi vendalisme dengan mengatasnamakan agama tertentu. Ironisnya terkadang aksi-aksi tersebut justru berasal dari suatu komunitas yang mengatasnamakan diri mereka dengan memakai agama mayoritas di Indonesia. Saya sebagai pemeluk agama mayoritas di Indonesia sangat menyayangkan aksi semacam ini. Bagi saya, hal tersebut tidak hanya akan menodai nilai-nilai kebhinekaan yang sudah ada di Indonesia sejak masa kerajaan Hindu-Budha, tetapi juga memunculkan anggapan miring terhadap Islam. Islam bukanlah agama yang anarkis, justru sebaliknya ia muncul untuk memberikan rahmat bagi semesta alam. Bukankah dalam Islam pun kita diajarkan untuk menghormati nilai-nilai keberagaman dan toleransi? Kesimpulannya adalah saya ingin kembali mengingatkan masyarakat Indonesia akan pentingnya toleransi dalam kehidupan masyarakat Indonesia yang terdiri dari berbagai macam suku, etnis, agama, dan kepercayaan. Pengalaman inilah yang akan saya implementasikan ketika saya kembali ke Indonesia. Saya ingin menyerukan nilai-nilai My NCCU, My Story

51 Stories Vittorio Adrianus Vittorio Adrianus Degree student Home country : Indonesia Language : English NCCU provides a unique learning experience for the students. Due to its location away from the city, students get to slow down on their life and enjoy every moment as it comes. I lived a comfortable life prior to studying Masters in NCCU and did not feel the need to change my life, but everybody can use that little bit of inspiration to go beyond what he thinks he can do. NCCU sets up an environment for students to grow, to inspire, and to learn from one another, and gives students reasons to look forward. 45 My story in NCCU is an unfinished story. My name is Vittorio Adrianus and I come from Indonesia. I entered NCCU to study communication for a graduate study, and for those people who know me, that may sound like an odd choice of a major for me to choose. Communication and I are two things that have not always been aligned. In fact, we had always avoided each other in the past. Up to college, my speaking skills (or lack thereof) had always been what defined me as a person. My constant and severe stuttering problems would mean that I would always be the person who sat in the corner, invisible, speaking the least words of all people, and not because I wanted to, but because I wasn t able to; words always escaped me. I would avoid choosing courses that required me to do presentation or public speaking. As a result, I was glad when I finished my bachelor study finished the first time, as the challenges it presented left with it. Upon graduation, I came to China when I was presented opportunity to face my greatest fear: a teaching job. Public speaking terrified me more than anything in the world, so for me to take a job that required me to do so on a regular basis was unthinkable for me at the time. Before I realized, I had been teaching in Tianjin for three years and my courage was climbing up, little by little. By that third teaching year in China, I was in a pretty good place personally. I had a great teaching job in a university with solid salaries, in a healthy relationship with someone, regained a bit of confidence in my speaking too, and consequently, in no great rush to change my My NCCU, My Story

52 Stories Vittorio Adrianus My NCCU friends and I (back row, third from left), celebrating Christmas in Taiwan: It s far away from home, yet it s near perfection. 46 rather comfortable life. One day, I started to realize all the things that I could do in my life, all the dreams that I previously had chosen to bury because of the fear of speaking and socializing. Maybe I could be a journalist, maybe I could do public relations, or I could be a writer, be on a creative advertising team, or anything I want. Such limitless possibilities pushed me to apply for a graduate study that would allow me to explore more things personally and professionally. I had no great expectations entering study in NCCU, and as I had always been socially awkward meeting new people and making friends, putting myself back into social institution was something I approached more cautiously than excitedly. I was recommended to study at NCCU by my Taiwanese friend whom I met in America. Other than the fact that it s near a zoo, my knowledge of the campus was as little as my interest in the zoo itself. My cousin in Taiwan drove me to and around NCCU when I first moved in. As he was driving me off the main gate way, way up to my dormitory up on the hill on the upper campus, I was thinking What am I getting myself into? NCCU does not look like a typical campus; sandwiched in between river, mountain, trees, and far away from city setting, one may be forgiven to wonder whether they re going to see cars ever again, or lights, or people! As it turns out, people have never been far away off my life in NCCU. People in NCCU and in Taiwan in general, are extremely friendly to me, which I can t figure out why other than maybe I was nice to them in my previous life. I couldn t speak Chinese when I first came, got lost around campus several times, but fellow Taiwanese students albeit strangers were always keen to help me. The benches are set up nicely across campus when I want to sit and chat with friends after class over a couple of drinks. When you are given this much space, and time, and away from city life, you start to pay attention to people: their stories, their struggles, their dreams, which can be as much learning as when you learn things off classroom. Speaking of classroom, I quite enjoy how our learning is shaped up in NCCU. For master degree students, NCCU puts most of the focus on the students, where student participation My NCCU, My Story

53 Stories Vittorio Adrianus in classroom is expected, encouraged, and supported. The seating arrangements, though varied, are mostly in face-to-face oval shape, which allows students to look at each other and discuss things rather freely and comfortably. The graduate program I attended, IMICS (International Master s in International Communication Studies) is very active in setting up seminars, and conferences to ensure students would not leave the graduate study short of knowledge. There is a nice mixture of Taiwanese students and international students in this program (as well as across NCCU in general), to bring added perspectives to an already-unique learning experience. People go to work, eat their meals, and are constantly on their phones and computers, then finish their day. These modern, daily rituals are very much evident in our life nowadays, and are largely uninspiring. However, it is the day when we break out of rituals when it often surprises us. One night I met a couple of classmates on my way back to the dormitory. We chatted and as we were walking back, and we heard a noise from the ongoing concert performance at university s theatre in Art and Culture Center. We went in to see what was playing and ended up entering the backstage, and met (and talk!) with a famous Taiwanese singer (Zhang Xuan). We were ecstatic after watching bits of the performance and met with the singer, and decided to talk about it on the benches nearby over a couple of drinks. As we were chatting outside on the benches, meteor showers started shooting up in the sky that we got three, five, or more of our wishes going up in the sky with it. It was a nice break from daily rituals and technology and the only time I used technology that night was to post a message on Facebook: Saw two types of stars today. Amazing day! The environment at NCCU, away from the city center, makes people including me able to take a step back, slow down life and really cherish people and cherish life. I remember having a barbeque for a Mid Autumn Festival, walking around the sea of weird creatures near Taipei 101 during Halloween, gathering with friends over food and acoustic live music on Christmas, the stunning Lantern Festival in Pingxi; from facing unfriendly weather to meeting friendly strangers. I get to enjoy each moment when it comes as a separate, distinct memory. In NCCU, time did not fly; university life did not pass me by, and I certainly did not want it to. I have gained a lot of confidence with my social skills and my future prospects during my one and a half years in NCCU. I feel like my voice is heard, my presence is felt, and my journey is going to reach destination. I have six months left in my master s study; my NCCU story is an unfinished story, but however it ends, it s a story worth telling. 47 My NCCU, My Story

54 Stories Richard George Mooney Richard George Mooney Degree student Home country : United Kingdom Language : English 48 Coming from the UK, and having lived in four countries, I was always curious about East Asia. I wanted to experience this mysterious eastern island of Taiwan and its traditional culture, but I also wanted a Master s Degree as well. Study there? No way, I can t speak Chinese! But then I found out about the English-taught IMICS program (International Master s Program in International Communication Studies) at NCCU. Excited about the possibilities, I applied and a few months later, I was not only accepted and but also awarded Taiwan Scholarship. It s been a fascinating time and valuable experience for me. There are many reasons for me attending NCCU. It is hard for me to write them all here. Though I shall attempt this as a tribute to an institution which has been so gracious to me since arriving in Taiwan 18 months ago in It is my belief that an enriching and beneficial career in media, communications or journalism cannot truly begin until one studies it further, not only for the academic value, but to seek guidance on the best path ahead. I feel my professional experience from working in the United Kingdom and the Middle East has contributed immensely to the IMICS (International Master's Program in International Communication Studies) program and helped diversify it further. While in Taiwan, I have acquired a basic knowledge of Mandarin Chinese. Before leaving next year, I am aiming to improve this to functional proficiency. These are my reasons for applying to the IMICS course at NCCU, as I feel the course has helped to take me to a new plateau in my career and life. My parents always told me that Richard, it s the people who make a place. And this has always been right. From the mountain villages where tea is made, to the friendly locals of Muzha and the NCCU students and faculty, I have never been made to feel like a foreigner in this land. Certainly, I am a foreigner here, I m white and Scottish. I stand out among the local Taiwanese. Though at NCCU I just felt welcomed. My NCCU, My Story

55 Stories Richard George Mooney I attended the conference at NCCU on Telecom and Media in Japan, Korea and Taiwan: Policy and Industry Strategies in December This conference was organized by the IMICS program (International Master's Program in International Communication Studies), one of the leading Englishtaught graduate programs at NCCU. As with anywhere, there is an adjustment period where one takes time to get used to the local customs, people and way of doing things. This can be a testing period for foreigners. At NCCU, Office of International Cooperation really helped me during this time. To note there is Ms. Yu-Fen Su, who is always letting foreign students like me know about what s going on at NCCU and about other initiatives in Taipei. While I never got a chance to experience them all, the ones I did take part in were certainly worthwhile. Then there s also the IMICS office who help organize Christmas parties, orientations and keep their students informed and on the right track. And of course, a university wouldn t be a university without a vivid and colorful student body. This is something NCCU has in abundance. I have worked in international environments, but have never had a platform to share ideas and debate with people of different nationalities and backgrounds. The students at NCCU, both local and international students, provide this platform for dialogue on sensitive issues and, at least for me, it has been enriching. can be examined. The faculty members are all supportive and encourage me to study what I know and care about. Employers and the world are increasingly looking to the East and NCCU is well placed to help Western students like me seeking opportunities in Asia. Not only is the university well known, but it has a unique history that has shaped it and its graduates over time. Whenever a prospective employer, former colleague or friend asks about my time in Taiwan and NCCU, they are always impressed. Lastly there are my friends and my classmates of various cultural backgrounds. The people who I ultimately became close to. We re from all over Taiwan, Europe, Asia and the Americas. It s such an eclectic mix of people, some of whom I am now very good friends with and have even traveled with. I know it isn t going to last forever. Soon, we ll each part ways on the road that is life, but we ll keep in touch and maybe even visit each other in the future. Until then, I m just happy and thankful to have made the choice to study here. 49 Also, the academic freedom I have been allotted in pursuit of my thesis and broadening my mind. I have come up with what I felt were ridiculous ideas, but have been advised on how to take them and make them into a study that As mentioned previously, my parents once told me that it s the people who make a place, and they ve always been right about this. So what s been my highlight at NCCU? You guessed it: the people. My NCCU, My Story

56 Stories Zane Kheir Zane Kheir Degree student Home country : USA Language : English My experience in NCCU so far has been a very eye-opening one. I was surprised to find such a diverse group of local and international students well mixed upon arriving here for the first time. I was also captivated by the beautiful scenery surrounding the campus as it is located at the edge of the city in between the mountains and the downtown areas. The campus facilities are modern and convenient. All in all, I think NCCU is a peaceful environment and strategic destination ideal for learning about Taiwan, China and neighboring Asian countries. 50 My experience in NCCU so far as been a very eye-opening one. I was surprised to find such a diverse group of local and international students well mixed upon arriving here for the first time. I came to NCCU with the intention to learn Chinese and become disciplined in sociopolitical topics in Taiwan, China and East Asian countries. So far, I can say I am pleased with the result. As I am a student in the International Master in Asia-Pacific Studies (IMAS) program, many of my classmates are from other foreign countries. It has been a very valuable experience for me to get to meet such a diverse group of classmates and learn about their countries as well. I most enjoy hearing about my classmates' experiences here in Taiwan and NCCU from their point of view. The most important asset NCCU has is its people. The administrative staff are all very supportive of me as a new student, and have continued to be available any time I need their assistance with registering for classes, getting advice on accommodations, and getting accustomed to life in Taiwan. The professors in my Master's program have very impressive backgrounds, as many of them have studied abroad themselves, speak English proficiently, and can share their personal research specialties with the class. So far, I have learned a great deal from them, and have improved my own research skills as a Social Science student. I feel that I will come out of this program as an expert on China, Taiwan and East Asia and prepared to pursue a full time career here. In the near future I would like to pursue a PhD in Asian/Regional studies and ultimately work as a professor and researcher. By working My NCCU, My Story

57 Stories Zane Kheir together with my instructors at NCCU, I have a more solid understanding of Political Science and Social Science in Asia and the Greater China area. Many of my professors have personally conducted academic research on a broad range of disciplines. Beyond being a professor, this program is great for anyone who wants to pursue a career in an NGO, public administration, or even government jobs. I have also learned that NCCU is among the most prestigious universities in Taiwan that educates some of the Taiwanese government's top officials. Many of my foreign classmates have expressed interest in pursuing a career in their country's foreign service sector to become an overseas diplomat. I believe the IMAS program is an ideal choice for anyone who has the potential to be a foreign diplomat with specialties in Asia-Pacific. NCCU also has a group of volunteer teachers called Campus Caring Group that offer free Mandarin tutorials for foreign students. These volunteer teachers go above and beyond to help students learn Chinese, organize field trips and workshops promoting Taiwanese culture, and are always available to consult students with any problems related to cultural or language barriers that they encounter. I am very grateful for these volunteer teachers as they have helped me gain confidence in speaking Chinese and expressing my opinions and experiences in a Chinese language environment. This is very important to me as learning Chinese was one of my goals upon coming to Taiwan. I stand right in front of the statue of Chiang Kai-shek at the Main Library at NCCU. NCCU has a wide variety of library resources available in Chinese, English and various other languages. Not only that, it is also equipped with a large study room that is open 24 hours a day! 51 I was also captivated by the scenery surrounding the campus as it is located at the edge of the city in between the mountains and the downtown areas. NCCU is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful campuses I've seen My NCCU, My Story

58 Stories Zane Kheir in Asia so far. From the center of the campus, there is an unimpeded view of the mountains leading up to Maokong. From the sports field, there is view of Taipei 101 and the downtown area in the distances. I always enjoy a pleasant stroll through the campus both morning and night. The buildings in the campus are modern, but have a certain Chinese flare to them that is unlike anything I had ever seen in the United States. The campus also has plenty of green to contrast away from the concrete of the city. I am also grateful for the supermarket, convenience store and cafe on campus that offer student discounts for NCCU students and have everything one would need. I rarely have to walk far to get my daily necessities. 52 All in all, I think NCCU is a peaceful environment and strategic destination ideal for learning about Taiwan, China and neighboring Asian countries. I feel that I have changed a lot since I first came here, as well as my outlook on Taiwan and China. Living and studying at NCCU has given me the opportunity to openly discuss political, cultural, and social topics in Taiwan and China and go and experience them for myself outside of class. Being able to study Chinese at NCCU with the help of the volunteer teachers, and then use what I've learned in my daily life has been the best practice one could ask for. By the time I graduate from NCCU, I feel that I would be in a position to teach people in my own country about what kind of a place Taiwan really is, and how unique it is. I would highly recommend Taiwan and NCCU to anyone who is interested in Chinese culture, political science, social science and/or international relations in East Asia. My NCCU, My Story

59 Stories Shirley Mak Shirley Mak Chinese Language Center student Home country : USA Language : English The first time I saw NCCU, I was taken in by the campus rustic beauty but also intimidated by the challenges that it represented, both physically and mentally. Climbing the hill every day to get to class on upper campus isn t easy, similar to learning a new language, whose terrain is unfamiliar and a little scary. I chose to attend NCCU because the peaceful surroundings were tempting, but I soon realized that things are not always as easy as they seem. My journey at NCCU has had its share of challenges, but over time I have grown to cherish each one of them. 53 I remember the first time I stepped onto NCCU s campus. I had landed in Taiwan the night before, in the midst of a heavy typhoon, the wind and rains slamming into the windows of my hostel like the fists of an angry child. Because of the ongoing bad weather, there were only a handful of students around, but one of them took a brief look at the wrinkled map I had in my hand and pointed ahead into the mountains. I chose to study at NCCU because the campus, tucked away into one of the more rural areas of Taipei, promised peace and quiet. After living near Japan s capital for the past year and half, with its neon lights and endless line of bars and clubs, I was hoping for some place to better focus on learning one of the world s most difficult languages. There would be no better place to concentrate, I thought, than in an area surrounded by nature s beauty. As I made my way up the hill that day, I could feel beads of sweat dripping off my back. My only map had dissolved into unintelligible bits and pieces, and I still had no idea where the International Building was. All I saw while trudging along in my wet socks and dripping back were masses of trees and a sign that said: Beware of snakes. Was I at an actual university or alone in the wilderness somewhere? The path along the hill seemed never-ending. After what felt like an hour, I was beginning to feel downtrodden for the first time since I had arrived. As I debated whether to move My NCCU, My Story

60 Stories Shirley Mak My friends and I (second girl from the right) took a picture immediately after finishing the first 10-K race in Taiwan at NCCU s track and field. Despite not winning any special prizes, this marked a memorable moment for everyone, as all four, though coming from various backgrounds, had trained together on routes around campus and encouraged one another throughout the journey. 54 forward or head back, I spotted a lone man walking down in the opposite direction. He told me that I had taken a wrong path and needed to make my way back. Resigned, I resolved to come back another day. A few months later, I entered to run a 10- kilometer race at NCCU with some friends. None of us knew the actual trail route until the day of the event, and we were shocked by how many hills we had to cross within the first half of the race. I found my calves burning as I pounded my way up what seemed like the tenth consecutive hill. As I slowed to a jog to catch my breath, I paused to take in the scenery for the first time. The trees, the gravelly trail, the overcast sky I realized that I had seen it all before, that day I had taken a wrong turn in the rain and ended up far, far away from the International Building. I was back where I had started. It turned out I had come to the right place after all, but perhaps not for the reasons I had originally thought. Over the past few months, my Chinese has progressed significantly since I had first landed, unable to ask a stranger even a coherent question regarding directions. Over time, character by character, I have somehow made some sense out of what seemed like a never-ending path of indecipherable symbols and sounds. Now I could not only ask for directions in Chinese but give them as well, to incoming students as clueless as I once was. But the best part of it all was: I knew I still didn t have all the answers. The more I learned from my teachers, my classmates, and myself the more I wanted to know. Gradually, I realized that I originally came to NCCU for the peaceful surroundings, but in the end the peace I felt came primarily from within me and my willingness to adapt to the environment around me. Peace and knowledge, I realized, were not destinations but journeys. Perhaps the real lesson of attending a school atop a hill is that every day is a journey and therefore an opportunity, even for an action as simple as walking up the hill to your classroom. Some days are harder than others, but personal growth can come from even the smallest of challenges. Thinking back on the past few months at NCCU, I couldn t help but smile as I resumed running, feeling the faint trickle of a breeze tickling my back as I moved forward. My NCCU, My Story

61 Stories María Olmedo Jimenez María Olmedo Jimenez Exchange student Home country : Spain Home university : Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) Language : English My name is Maria Olmedo. I am a 41 year-old mature student who came to Taiwan from Ireland to study at NCCU as part of a university exchange program. I chose a track that includes learning Mandarin, because Mandarin has become one of the most competitive languages in the world of business. After a visit of two OIC (Office of International Cooperation) representatives to my home university in 2012, I decided that I wanted to come to Taiwan, instead of going to China. My experience at NCCU and in Taiwan has been great so far. I consider myself privileged to be learning Mandarin in such great location and environment. 55 My name is Maria Olmedo. I am a 41 yearold mature student, who came to Taiwan from Ireland to study Mandarin at NCCU as part of a university exchange program. I am Spanish, but I have lived in Ireland for the last 14 years. My circumstances in Taiwan are a bit different from those of many other exchange students: I am not only twice their age, but I am also depending on the Irish government for financial aid to pay my way here. This academic year in Taiwan is part of a four year degree on Chinese and International Business, a degree that the Irish government is fully paying or because I became unemployed and was unable to find a new job for a long time. I chose to study a degree that includes Mandarin courses because Mandarin has become one of the most competitive languages in the world of business. After becoming unemployed, I knew that I had to recycle myself. I had lost my competitive edge. My work experience was no longer enough to get me back in the game; education was the only way forward, and globalisation had made mastering several foreign languages a high priority for recruiting companies. As a student in DIT university in Dublin, I had My NCCU, My Story

62 Stories María Olmedo Jimenez the option to study Mandarin through simplified or traditional characters. I chose to learn both from the start as I tried to get a competitive advantage over my fellow students, themselves already at an advantage point given their youth. Learning both sets of characters and getting good results in my exams allowed me to choose my destination for year three of our degree. There were two universities in mainland China, both in Beijing besides NCCU to choose from. Both universities in Beijing had good points about them. There were also advantages and disadvantages on choosing NCCU for my year abroad. NCCU has a very good reputation as a university, but Taipei is quite a westernised city, with a higher cost of living than some other Asian cities, and it is a place where speaking English becomes an easy way out far too often, so I remained undecided for a very long time. 56 At Teacher Xie's Calligraphy Class, I was fully concentrating on the strokes of the character (beautiful), part of my name in Chinese. Calligraphy is one of the many free cultural courses available to international students at NCCU, also a great opportunity to learn more about the Chinese and Taiwanese cultures through the language. Things changed in October 2012, when we received the visit of Caroline Tsai and Kelly Wang, from the Office of International Cooperation (OIC), NCCU, at our home university in Ireland. They prepared a very compelling presentation about Taiwan and NCCU, showing all the beautiful places and amazing food this country has to offer. It also introduced us to student life at NCCU, and I knew at that time that my choice was made--i was going to come to Taiwan. My experience in NCCU has been simply wonderful so far. Everybody working both at the OIC and at the International Building office is incredibly helpful. Buddy Program allowed me to meet the most caring, dedicated Taiwanese girl I have ever known. Li Wen not only found me the best apartment to live in, she has also become a close friend, and I have been privileged enough to spend the Chinese New Year with her and her family. Classes at NCCU are great. The Mandarin teachers I have had in these two semesters have been wonderful. They have always gone beyond their My NCCU, My Story

63 Stories María Olmedo Jimenez obligations as teachers, and have made sure that our learning is not only academic, but cultural at a deep level as well with them often spending their own free time with us. Their encouragement and support have seen me through all my frustrations not being able to master my tones in Chinese as quickly as I would have liked. I can blame no one but myself for that, though. I am too afraid of making mistakes and making a fool of myself. I must try to overcome this fear for the remaining of my stay here. One of the good habits I picked up, encouraged by the teachers, is practicing with a language partner. We do a Spanish-Chinese exchange. It was a big surprise to me that so many NCCU students are learning Spanish as a third language. Our exchange is very relaxed, not at all academic, just two girls going out for dinner and a chat. It is great fun. Coincidentally, my partner's chosen Spanish name is Rosario, which happens to be my middle name, and we were both born on the same day. I certainly wasn't expecting that! I also love the NCCU campus. I walk along the river every day, and then up the hill to the International Building. I enjoy every minute of that walk. The views are breathtaking, and I often come across all these elderly people doing physical exercise first thing in the morning. I love their vitality. One of my favourite pastimes, as I walk to and from university, is watching the local fauna. There are so many animals living around NCCU. I particularly love the herons and the gorgeous kingfisher, cleverly catching the silver fish swimming downstream. Extracurricular activities have been great fun, too. Everything is either free or incredibly cheap, but very interesting and helpful towards making us practice our spoken Chinese more often. I have learnt Bopomofo, created lots of things in the Arts & Crafts Club, learnt about Taiwanese cuisine and I even tried out writing Chinese calligraphy with my left hand! All of them, Taiwan, Taipei, and NCCU have made a big impact in my life. I have learnt a lot about the Taiwanese people in the past five months: about their patience, kindness and generosity towards foreigners. Every day in Taipei has the potential for a new adventure. Apart from visiting temples, attending exhibitions and musical performances, I have had the best time taking part, together with many other students from NCCU, in the LGTB Pride parade. I was also proud to represent my own university, DIT, at the Study Abroad Fair organised by OIC. More recently, and thanks to my buddy at NCCU, I was part of the audience at the TV singing competition series Super Star. During the recording of the show, I was asked to comment in English on one of the performances. The whole thing is now uploaded on YouTube, so I guess I have had my 15 Minutes of Fame, which was really fun. In the last week, I have also met lots of new people outside NCCU circles because I have finally managed to start training with a local Dragon Boat team. This was my main goal other than learning the language and culture when I arrived in Taiwan. Training with a Taiwanese coach who doesn't speak English is challenging, but it helps me brush up my Chinese a lot. Hopefully the next four months are going be filled with a lot more learning, travelling, new adventures and of course, plenty of Dragon Boat paddling practice! 57 My NCCU, My Story

64 Stories Chloé Jabouyna Chloé Jabouyna Chloe Jabouyna Exchange student Home country : France Home university : Université Lumière Lyon 2 Language : French 58 I knew very little about Taiwan and National Chengchi University (NCCU) before I came. Encouraged by one of the students at my university who visited NCCU before, I embarked on my adventure in Asia. All the differences I noticed between Taiwan and France, culturally and academically, and various experiences I had here, helped me become a more independent and flexible person, who can not only adapt to a new environment more easily, but also work as a team. These are all important qualities developed in me to facilitate a promising professional path in the future. «Mes motivations pour venir à NCCU?», c'est drôle, car c'est l'une des premières questions que l'on pose quand on rencontre quelqu'un. Après les questions habituelles bien sûr, d où viens- tu?, qu'est-ce que tu étudies?, et s'en suit logiquement pourquoi es-tu venue à Taïwan et pourquoi NCCU? Je suis toujours un peu confuse et gênée lorsqu on me la pose. Mes amis ont tous des réponses très précises pleines de convictions, la mienne est un peu plus vague et rigolote. En effet, dans mon université en France, un forum a été organisé pour nous présenter les différents pays et universités partenaires. Au stand de Taïwan il y avait de jolies photos donc je m'y suis arrêtée et j'ai discuté avec une étudiante revenue de NCCU. Mon problème était l'anglais: je cherchais un pays agréable dans lequel je pourrais améliorer mon anglais sans que l université me demande un test de niveau. L étudiante, en me racontant son expérience, tous les bons moments qu elle avait vécu à NCCU, m'a convaincue de postuler et j'ai bien fait: c'est le seul pays dans lequel j'ai été acceptée. Je sais, ce n'est pas une de ces histoires où la My NCCU, My Story

65 Stories Chloé Jabouyna 59 personne est déterminée coûte que coûte à venir, mais c'est mon histoire et j'aime son début un peu hasardeux. Du coup, j'ai commencé à me renseigner sur Taïwan et NCCU et à ma grande surprise en tant qu élève en politique, NCCU a des cours vraiment intéressants et Taïwan est un cas tout à fait fascinant de mon point de vue politique, mais j'apprends aussi à découvrir la culture asiatique même si certains points m échappent encore. Je pense que la France aurait certaines leçons à prendre sur le mode de vie Taïwanais. Maintenant que je suis ici je me Behind me is the water fountain that no one will miss once entering the main gate of National Chengchi University (NCCU). This water fountain is where I usually meet my friends. As I am so proud of being an incoming exchange student at NCCU, I have to take a picture in this School Hoodie, which at that time was sold by a Student Club helping to raise money for education in under-developed countries. My NCCU, My Story

66 Stories Chloé Jabouyna 60 rends compte que l étudiante avait raisons, la vie ici est vraiment agréable, peut être juste un peu trop de pluie. Les personnes sont vraiment gentilles, dès que je demande de l aide que ce soit dans Taïwan ou sur le campus tout le monde est prêt à m aider. On se sent vite bien ici. Ce qui est impressionnant à NCCU, ça peut paraître futile, mais c'est la taille des bâtiments, quand j'ai découvert que mes cours se déroulaient au 12eme étage et que le bâtiment en contenait 16, j étais comme une gosse. En effet dans mon université ils ne vont pas au-delà de 3, même si en soit cela n'a aucun impact sur les cours, j'ai quand même toujours le sourire aux lèvres quand je vois défiler les chiffres dans l ascenseur. Je l'ai même noté sur «Facebook». Un autre de mes moments clés: c'est quand j'ai reçu mon maillot de l équipe de basket marqué «NCCU», je suis fière de le porter, je marche la tête haute et j'ai envie de dire à tout le monde et oui le numéro 13 de l équipe d économie de NCCU c'est moi. En France, on a de vieux maillots pas très jolis, ici on choisit tout: la couleur, le style et, le plus important, le numéro. J apprécie tous les équipements et l'engouement sportif qui règne à NCCU. Ce sont des détails insignifiants mais ce sont ces détails qui rendent une aventure, mon aventure, particulière, et qui fait que l'on se sent bien à NCCU. Mon année n étant pas finie j espère bien passer encore d excellents moments dans ce campus. D'un point de vue purement pragmatique, mon expérience ici m'apportera de devenir bilingue en anglais (si tout se passe bien), de parler un petit peu chinois, et d étudier concrètement les politiques asiatiques. Mais cette aventure ne se limite vraiment pas à cela. En effet, ici je me découvre moi-même, j'apprends à vivre seule loin de ma famille et de mes amis, à m'adapter dans un monde où je ne connais rien, où les enfants me regardent comme une extraterrestre. Je m'ouvre à une nouvelle culture, mais aussi à de nouvelles méthodes d'enseignements. C'est cela que je mettrais en avant dans mon avenir professionnel, grâce à cette expérience je suis capable de m'adapter, j'ai appris différentes façons de travailler qui, combinées, donneront de très bon résultats et me permettront de répondre à différentes demandes. Même si je dois l avouer, au début, la façon de travailler a été un peu déroutante, mais les nombreux travaux de groupe m ont vite fait assimiler les méthodes et maintenant je peux combiner les deux. À NCCU on apprend aussi l'entraide et le partage: dans chaque conversation, même anodine, les cultures se confrontent et s'apprivoisent. C'est un point très important, surtout pour moi qui veux travailler dans la communication ou le travail en équipe est de rigueur. Il faut savoir écouter les autres, accepter les idées, les façons de travailler et de voir. J'apprends tout ça à NCCU, que ce soit pendant les cours, mais aussi lors des matchs de basket ou bien pendant les nombreuses activités organisées par NCCU et les clubs étudiants. Je suis contente d avoir été prise ici, et j espère bien continuer au prochain semestre à vivre une aventure pas comme les autres. My NCCU, My Story

67 Stories Guillaume Emmanuel Gillard Guillaume Emmanuel Gillard William Gillard Degree student Home country : Belgium Language : French There was a caterpillar on a Taiwanese Campus. There it met ideas. The caterpillar grew, the ideas connected and together they flew and made of a mess, a man and of dreams, a future. It might have happened close to you. 61 Papillon qui papillonnent en papillonnant nous menèrent en une île pas tout à fait inconnue il y a déjà trois ans. Je ne sais plus où cela a commencé, mais il fut un temps où Taïwan, belle Formose, devint la prochaine étape logique de ma vie. Était-ce en ces jours de chômage, égaré dans la nuit et cherchant un chemin? ou plutôt durant ces jours de pluies à ne rêver que d'une chose, revoir Kenting et ses plages? Les paysages me manquaient, et, bien plus, des amis attendaient mon retour. Je suis revenu sur la verte Formose et ai revus ses nuages mauves huileux en 2011, intoxiqué mais heureux je me trouvais là bien aise. Les péripéties du sud passèrent passagères et les papillons papillonnant toujours m'emmenèrent vers le Nord, sa culture, ses montagnes, sa mer,... ses hivers... Par un jour ensoleillé, je fus déposé par les vents sur une esplanade de pierres blanches, devant moi s'élevait un édifice que nous connaissons bien, une forteresse du savoir où nul ne me dit alors combien de temps il allait me falloir pour tenter de comprendre ce qu'il s'y passait. La douce machinerie humaine qui égrène le temps, quoi de tel pour enseigner la patience au plus affolé et aux affairés la douceur de l'attente. En ce lieu, je fis mon lit d'idée pendant un an. J'appris plus sur la terre et sur les gens qui font de ce pays ce qu'il est. Ses richesses humaines sont insoupçonnées, cachées tant dans les livres que dans les passants. Et ainsi, me perdant dans un ouvrage ou dans une rue, m'asseyant près de Chiang Kai-Shek, bonhomme, dans la grande bibliothèque et de lui demander, "Et ça, camarade, comment l'aurais-tu fais?", chevaucher à travers My NCCU, My Story

68 Stories Guillaume Emmanuel Gillard Journey to the sources of knowledge 62 la campagne à la recherche d'un ouvrage perdu, je découvris ce pays, cette ville et cette institution. Ainsi passa le temps jusqu'à ce que... Une petite Chenille s'éveille d'un rêve où elle était un homme de la vie fort gourmand, se demande si c'est bien un rêve, lève ses petits yeux poilus et voit un barbu souriant qui la prend en photos. Les humains sont-ils tous aussi fous? La petite chenille s'enfuit bien vite construire sa chrysalide sur un beau fil noir qui se trouvait là. Un lit d'idée comme tout bon lit est un refuge pour le repos, la méditation ou l'amour, mais vient toujours un jour où il faut en sortir et contempler le monde et le jour qui vient. Un homme regarde une chenille qui fait sa chrysalide, lit sur de nouveaux produits qui peuvent changer notre manière de consommer, apprend à se connaître loin des ombres du passé. Elle ne fut pas passagère, cette nouvelle idée, née d'une chenille de son câble de PC passagère. Ce jour là sur le campus de NCCU, il pleuvait à drache, ma moto refusait de démarrer, mon cerveau avait cessé de travailler. Il restait cette clé, le cadenas de mes casques et d'un grand "Danran la!"(! bien sûr!), vers mon avenir je me suis envolé. Merci à NCCU pour tout ce qu'elle m'a donné, amis et opportunités principalement. Merci de m'avoir donné le temps de choisir mon futur, enfin, sans contraintes ni pressions. Je ne finirais probablement pas mes études actuelles, et probablement ne serais-je plus étudiant de NCCU dans quelques mois mais il restera toujours un souvenir spécial en moi quand je penserais à NCCU. Ce n'est pas la pluie qui restera, ni le froid, ni la paperasse (quoique ce soit toujours une bonne excuse pour une conversation au 8ème étage de LA forteresse), ce seront les savoirs, les débats et les possibilités offertes et donc, ceux qui les apportent. Plus de papillonnant papillon papillonnant de fleurs d'idées en fleurs de rêves, mais de fleurs de rêves s'en vont fleurir des fleurs de réalité. La chenille sur son câble, endormie, ne pense plus à l'imparfait passé ou au futur simple, mais bien au passé antérieur et au futur très composé. Pour les rencontres, pour les possibilités, pour avoir pu apprendre Taïwan par Taïwan et pour Taïwan, pour le temps, pour les conseils, pour les mains tendues et les soutiens, pour m'avoir rendu un rêve, à vous tous, de passages ou partie du paysage, merci. My NCCU, My Story

69 Stories Filip Lahoda Filip Lahoda Degree student Home country : Czech Republic Language : Czech To go to NCCU was a clear choice for me because I was determined to study IMBA at NCCU, the university that offers the best IMBA program in Taiwan. At the time when I made the decision, I didn't know how lucky I really was. After some time, I started to appreciate the various efforts NCCU puts into supporting the studies and personal needs of the students. What was especially important for me was the support and attention given to the Students Clubs. Thanks to these clubs, I could keep developing all my personal interests and meet new friends all over the world. 63 Když jsem se rozhodoval na jaké škole bych rád studoval management, NCCU pro mě byla jasná volba. Jednak proto, že jsem chtěl studovat na Taiwanu, který jsem si při své předešlé návštěvě zamiloval a jednak proto, že NCCU zde nabízí nejlepší mezinárodní MBA program. V době kdy jsem učinil tuto volbu jsem ještě netušil, jaké mám vlastně štěstí. Ze studijního hlediska program IMBA naplnil veškerá má očekávání. Kromě nasazení celého týmu podílejícího se na jeho realizaci musím ocenit podporu, jíž se zde studentům ze strany univerzity dostává. Nejedná se pouze o vytvoření vhodného zázemí pro studium, ale rovněž o podporu rozvoje dalších osobních aktivit studentů. Pro mě osobně byla zejména významná podpora studentských klubů, účast v nichž mi dovolila rozvíjet mé osobní zájmy a vyzkoušet nové. Studentské kluby mi rovněž dovolily poznat spoustu nových přátel a všude se mi dostalo velmi vřelého přijetí. Nejvýznamnější pro mě pravděpodobně byla účast v rock and roll hudebním klubu, díky kterému jsem měl možnost pět krát týdně cvičit na bicí. To je něco co pro mě bylo v dřívější době jen obtížně realizovatelné. Někdy si jen přeji, abych nemusel do školy dělat tolik domácích úkolů a mohl se tak ještě více věnovat uvedeným aktivitám. Když už zmiňuji domácí úkoly a projekty, přál bych si rovněž, aby i mí taiwanští přátelé dostávali méně těchto zadání, neboť v důsledku jejich vysokého počtu jsou často natolik vytíženi, že je velmi obtížné se s nimi setkat. Každopádně je nutné říci, že díky pestré My NCCU, My Story

70 Stories Filip Lahoda Learning Chinese New Year tradition and calligraphy (character means Year of Horse ) at an event called "Buddy With You" organized by Taiwanese students in their free time. 64 nabídce uvedených aktivit jsem měl někdy pocit, že ani nežiji v Taipei, ale pouze na území univerzity. Další věcí, která se mi na NCCU líbí je její poloha. Ačkoli je centrum města relativně hůře dostupné, jakmile se člověk zorientuje v jízdním řádu autobusů, které kolem školy staví, není to až tak hrozné. Na druhou stranu je ale škola na úpatí hor, kam je možné si velice snadno zajít na menší výlet, či vyjet lanovkou a kochat se výhledem na město pod sebou. Vzhledem k tomu, že jsem dříve žil v rušné části Taipei, kde byl vzduch díky vysokému provozu vozidel poměrně znečištěn, dokáži ocenit klid a poměrně čisté ovzduší, jež poloha NCCU nabízí. Čas strávený na NCCU byl pro mě skvělou zkušeností a těším se na další skvělé zážitky a další skvělé přátele jež tu potkám. Program IMBA nabízí poměrně široký výběr předmětů vyučovaných na vysoké úrovni, umožňující mi se profilovat směrem, jakým si sám přeji. V současné době se zaměřuji zejména na studium finančních trhů a marketingu, neboť v jedné z těchto oblastí hodlám po ukončení studia nalézt své uplatnění. Již nyní pociťuji přínos mého studijního programu, neboť studium na NCCU mi pomohlo rozkrýt mnoho procesů a principů ze světa businessu a umožnilo mi tak lépe profilovat a vytvářet své inovační, investiční a další obchodní plány. My NCCU, My Story

71 Stories Veronika Tomanova Veronika Tomanova Degree student Home country : Czech Republic Language : Czech Studying in Taiwan is not an ordinary option for students in Czech Republic. Once you try it, there is so much to discover. I found a new home on the campus of National Chengchi University (NCCU). Probably the coolest thing about studying at NCCU is that one is surrounded by so many different cultures. It would never happen in Czech Republic to have a roommate from Nicaragua or Turkey. Furthermore, my schoolmates in the IMICS program (International Master in International Communication Studies) come from various parts of the world: Ukraine, Russia, Indonesia, Philippines, USA, China and Taiwan. Each discussion, lecture or chat comes along with intercultural learning. We observe and experience differences, but we learn to respect them at the same time. Soft skills gained during the two years here in Taiwan will be one of the most valuable assets one day when I enter job market. 65 Ráno jako každé jiné. Probouzí mě paprsky sluníčka, které se prodírají skrz žaluzie mého pokoje ve čtvrtém patře dívčích kolejí. Zatímco studenti v Evropě mají ještě noc, tady v Asii se už musíme popasovat s ránem. V pyžamu přeběhnu přes liduprázdnou chodbu do společné kuchyně, abych si uvařila kafe. Se šálkem v ruce vyjdu na balkon. Příjemných 25 stupňů mi dává zapomenout, že je podzim. Dvou a půl milionové velkoměsto mám odsud jako na dlani. Město, ve kterém se nachází druhá nejvyšší budova světa. Město, ve kterém jsem se po dokončení studia na Masarykově univerzitě rozhodla pokračovat. Tchaj-pej. Spolužáci z celého světa O možnosti studovat na Taiwanu jsem se dozvěděla prostřednictvím Centra zahraničních studií MU. Přihlášku lze podat jak ve zmíněném centru, tak i v Tchajpejské hospodářské a kulturní kanceláři v Praze, která stipendisty vybírá. Stipendium pokrývající školné a další náklady jde z kapsy Tchajwanského ministerstva školství a je určené pro ty, kdo se na ostrově v srdci jihovýchodní Asie chystají vystudovat jeden celý studijní program. Protože mé dosavadní studium i zájmy se točí kolem žurnalistiky, komunikace a sociologie, hledala jsem nějaký magisterský program, My NCCU, My Story

72 Stories Veronika Tomanova I found my best friend Ruby Liu at NCCU during my first month in Taiwan. After a year and a half, we still like to walk around the river on campus, do projects and discover more of Taipei together. 66 který by tato témata dále rozvíjel. Z desítek oborů, které jsou sice atraktivní, avšak často vyučované pouze v čínštině, jsem si vybrala dvouletý program International Master in International Communication Studies vyučovaný na National Chengchi University (NCCU). Spolužáků mám celkem dvacet jednu polovinu tvoří místní studenti, druhou ti zahraniční. Ze zemí je zastoupena je Anglie, Indonésie, USA, Rusko, Ukrajina a Honduras, což dává dohromady zajímavý mix, na jehož pozadí se zformovala mimo jiné i malá skupina rusky mluvících. Vyučující jsou místní a všichni, které jsem doposud poznala, spojuje jedno svá studia absolvovali v USA. Stydliví, ale nápomocní Tchaj-wanci Budovy univerzity včetně kolejí a dvě menzy se nacházejí v areálu kampusu asi hodinu cesty z centra města. Jako studentka, které cesta do školy trvala plus mínus hodinu si tedy kampus nemůžu vynachválit (pohodlnosti místních studentů, kteří tuto krátkou cestu neabsolvují jinak než připravených v minibusech, se jen směju). Dalším společným rysem Tchajwanských vrstevníků je přehnaná stydlivost. Místní kluci se v přítomnosti holek ne vždy cítí sebejistě, se svou výškou 176 cm (tedy o dvě hlavy vyšší než většina z nich) je uvádím do rozpaků téměř permanentně. Vlastností, kterou bychom se v Česku od Tchaj-wanců mohli učit je ale ochota pomoct a poradit cizinci. Stačí pár zmatených pohledů do čínsky psaného jízdní řád a hned se na zastávce autobusu objeví někdo, kdo se ptá: Potřebujete poradit? Můžu vám pomoct? Znalost angličtiny není u místních vždycky pravidlem, ale jejich snaha a trpělivost to kompenzuje. Krásný ostrov Ostrov, který má rozlohu poloviny České republiky, pojmenovali Portugalci Ihra Formosa neboli Krásný ostrov. Je tu od každého trochu: příjemné pláže, klidné hory i rušné večerní trhy. Tato místa se snažím o My NCCU, My Story

73 Stories Veronika Tomanova víkendech navštívit a o zážitky se pak dělím na cestovatelském blogu. Zatím nejdobrodružnější výlet jsem podnikla sólově. Po 14 kilometrech túry po stezkách lemujících Pacifik jsem dorazila ke chrámu v horách. Pojďte dál, přespíte tady. Už se stmívá, autobus už nejede a další stavení potkáte až za tři hodiny chůze, vysvětlil mi lámanou angličtinou a posunky starší pán, který se o chrám stará už 20 let. Nabídl mi jako pravému pocestnému jídlo a nocleh. V šest hodin ráno hned po ranní modlitbě mne pak na cestě domů doprovodil oranžově oděný buddhistický mnich. Studium na NCCU, které za měkolik měsíců ukončím, mi rozšíří možnosti na pracovním trhu. Během studia jsem vybrousila angličtinu (anglicky například zvládku i prezentovat, čeho jsem se dříve obávala), získala znalosti z oboru komunikace v mezinárodním kontextu a také jsem získala soft skills, které mi usnadní práci v kolektivu a zefektivní naplování mích cílů. I přesto, že pobybovat se v mezinárodním prostředí a řešit všechny radosti i starosti deset tisíc kilometrů od domova není vždy nejlehčí, rozhodnutí studovat v zahraničí nelituji. 67 Studium v zahraničí na dosah Magisterské studium na Tchaj-wanu je celkem třetím programem, do kterého jsme se přes Centrum zahraničních studií MU dostala. Ze všech pobytů jsem si zatím vždycky přivezla nové zkušenosti, znalosti a vzpomínky, které si sebou nesu životem a které mi už nikdy nikdo nemůže vzít. My NCCU, My Story

74 Stories Jakub Jatkiewicz Jakub Jatkiewicz Degree student Home country : Poland Language : Polish 68 One day in Poland I met a Taiwanese girl who told me about her country and her university National Chengchi University (NCCU) in Taiwan. A few months later she became my good friend I decided to continue my education in Taiwan. I am really impressed with NCCU and its Chinese Language Center, not only for academic reasons but simply the whole experience is a magical thing--in the past, to me studying was not a pleasure. Thanks to NCCU, the high quality courses offered here and the individual attention the students get relight my passion for studying and academic pursuit. Pewnego słonecznego dnia, w kilka dni po obronie pracy magisterskiej, siedziałem sobie na ławce w centrum Krakowa. Kontemplowałem piękną pogodę i zastanawiałem się, co dalej robić w życiu, gdy nagle zobaczyłem pewną dziewczynę. Pojawiała się w zasięgu mojego wzroku, po czym znikała i znowu wracała. Od razu przykuła moją uwagę, gdyż była zdecydowanie inna niż reszta ludzi w tłumie. Zdawała się lekko zagubiona i wyraźnie było widać, że szuka drogi. Nikt nie chciał jej pomóc, a i ona wydawała się strasznie nieśmiała, zbyt nieśmiała żeby poprosić o pomoc. Zebrałem się na odwagę, wstałem z ławki i podbiegłem żeby z nią porozmawiać. Jak się później okazało, była to studentka z Tajwanu. Dzięki tej znajomości, która później przerodziła się w przyjaźń, usłyszałem nie tylko o Tajwanie, ale też o National Chengchi University. Po miesiącu wiedziałem, co robić dalej ze swoim życiem zdecydowałem się wyjechać na Tajwan i kontynuować studia. Do najważniejszych momentów związanych z NCCU zaliczam bez wątpienia pierwsze zajęcia na uczelni oraz pierwsze zajęcia z języka chińskiego w tutejszym centrum językowym. Myślę, że większości ludzi spodoba się okolica NCCU jest pięknie położone i sama styczność z tutejszą kulturą jest bardzo interesującym doświadczeniem, ale NCCU jest ciekawe także z akademickiego punktu widzenia. Moje pierwsze zajęcia, w których uczestniczyłem, celowo pomijam ich nazwę oraz nazwisko prowadzącego, uświadomiły mi jak daleko Polsce do tutejszego poziomu prowadzenia zajęć, a także kultury osobistej kadry akademickiej. Pomimo ukończenia My NCCU, My Story

75 Stories Jakub Jatkiewicz This is one of my favorite art work on NCCU campus, part of an Art Project from 2011 Very Fun Park. This is also one of the many magical places at NCCU because it reminds me of my childhood and summer evenings which I spent in the mountain village. NCCU at night becomes like another world. It's quiet, mystical and totally different from Taipei City. Sitting here at night is a splendid experience. najlepszych uniwersytetów na świecie tutejsi nauczyciele akademiccy są nie tylko profesjonalistami w swoich dziedzinach, ale cechują się także niespotykaną w Polsce kulturą osobistą i życzliwością. Bez względu na to czy problem studenta, a w moim przypadku doktoranta, dotyczy kwestii naukowej czy też nie, drzwi są zawsze otwarte. Nie potrzeba do tego wyznaczonych konsultacji, (na które w Polsce nauczyciele akademiccy dziwnym trafem często nie docierają), zawsze można liczyć na szybką odpowiedź poprzez . Sam system zarządzania uniwersytetem również pozytywnie mnie zaskoczył. Nigdy nie zrozumiem, dlaczego mój uniwersytet w Polsce wciąż stosuje papierowe indeksy, pamiętające jeszcze czasy Marco Polo. CLC (Chinese Langauge Center), gdzie uczę się mandaryńskiego, zapewniło mi z kolei powrót do czasów młodości, kiedy nauka wydawała się przyjemna, pełna radości i pozbawiona stresu. Nauczyciele z CLC, pomimo tego, że są wymagający i profesjonalni, są też świetnymi pedagogami i zapewniają niespotykaną atmosferę. Jak studiowanie na NCCU odbiło się na moim życiu? Zobaczyłem jak daleko polskim uczelniom i wykładowcom (oczywiście nie wszystkim, ale pozwolę sobie generalizować) do poziomu tych z Tajwanu. Utwierdziłem się tylko w przekonaniu, że w Polsce potrzeba reform. Jednocześnie odzyskałem wiarę w naukę i uniwersytety. W Polsce studiowanie było dla mnie drogą przez mękę, koniecznością wynikającą z przyszłej potrzeby znalezienia pracy. Na NCCU studia są po prostu przyjemne. Nie umiem tego wyjaśnić w prosty sposób, prawdopodobnie jest to składowa wielu czynników. Nauka tutaj to pozytywne przeżycie, codziennie z chęcią chodzę na zajęcia, które zawsze są interesujące i zachęcają do rozwoju zarówno osobistego jak i naukowego. Dodatkowo, zaangażowanie i profesjonalizm tutejszej kadry naukowej zmienił moje myślenie o edukacji już nie uważam jej za zło konieczne. Dopiero teraz uświadomiłem sobie, że nauka i chęć zdobywania wiedzy może być wspaniałym przeżyciem. Wiem również, że uniwersytet może nie tylko kształcić szwadrony bezrobotnych, ale także rozwijać osobowość. 69 My NCCU, My Story

76 Stories Karolina Goebel Karolina Goebel Degree student Home country : Poland Language : Polish I decided to study in Taiwan after my first visit to Kaohsiung, southern part of Taiwan, studying Chinese in Here I noticed many differences from the education in Poland --the possibility to choose from a variety of courses, less formal contact with professors, easy access to libraries and study rooms, and the variety of Chinese courses offered by Chinese Language Center at NCCU. I learned both English and Chinese, how to better adapt to different contexts and attended courses of diversity not offered in Poland. The experience will no doubt be fruitful for my future career. 70 Pomysł studiowania za granicą zrodził się w mojej głowie już w 2011 roku, kiedy po raz pierwszy odwiedziłam Tajwan. Zafascynowana kulturą i językiem, po powrocie do Polski od razu zaczęłam przygotowywać się do podjęcia studiów magisterskich właśnie na Tajwanie. W 2012 roku ukończyłam studia na Uniwersytecie Opolskim na kierunku Dziennikarstwo i Komunikacja Społeczna, i wiedziałam, że chcę kontynuować naukę właśnie w tym zakresie. Po wielu konsultacjach z moimi tajwańskimi przyjaciółmi, zdecydowałam się ubiegać o miejsce na kierunku International Master s Program in International Communication Studies (IMICS) na National Chengchi University (NCCU), który słynie z najlepszego wydziału komunikacji i dziennikarstwa w kraju. Nie wiem czy znajdę odpowiednie słowa na opisanie tego, jakim wspaniałym przeżyciem są dla mnie studia na Tajwanie, ale podejmę tę próbę. Podczas pierwszego semestru na NCCU doświadczyłam wielu różnic w formie studiowania. Dano mi wolną rękę w wyborze zajęć, całodobowy dostęp do wydziałowych bibliotek oraz pokojów do nauki. Zaskoczył mnie nawet sam kontakt wykładowców ze studentami, mniej formalny niż znany mi z polskiej uczelni. Wszystkie zajęcia prowadzone są w języku angielskim, więc zauważyłam znaczną poprawę w moich zdolnościach językowych. Uczelnia oferuje także bogaty wybór kursów języka chińskiego na różnym poziomie, a wielu tajwańskich studentów zainteresowanych jest wymianą językową nawet w języku polskim. My NCCU, My Story

77 Stories Karolina Goebel Two of my Taiwanese classmates, Jamie (left), Sylvia (right), and I celebrated Christmas together. To make our classes during Christmas more memorable, we agreed to follow a special dress-code and prepared a special gift-exchange event. 71 Dodatkowo, co zasługuje na pochwałę, cały system jest skomputeryzowany i na bieżąco aktualizowany. Uzbrojona w numer legitymacji, otrzymałam nowy adres , na który wysyłane są wszelkie informacje dotyczące bieżących wydarzeń na uczelni, wiadomości od wykładowców, a także informacje o wolnych etatach w tajwańskich firmach. Studentom, którym nie udało się uzyskać stypendium, uczelnia oferuje prace dorywcze w biurze, bibliotece, gazetce szkolnej, itp. Niestety, by podjąć się większości z nich, wymagana jest biegła znajomość języka chińskiego. Ale bez obaw, praca dla tych, którzy języka nie znają też się znajdzie. Co więcej, osoby zatrudnione w biurach są bardzo miłe i staną na głowie, by rozwiązać nawet najdrobniejszy problem i odpowiedzieć na każde pytanie. Choć przede mną jeszcze kilka semestrów na NCCU, już teraz jestem przekonana, że studia te zaowocują w bogate CV oraz wrażenia, które będę wspominać do końca życia. Marzę o pracy w międzynarodowej firmie, łączącej ze sobą różne kultury, nie ukrywam więc, że pokładam nadzieję w IMICS oraz bogatą ofertę praktyk zawodowych w różnorodnych firmach na Tajwanie. Wierzę, że to, czego nauczę się tutaj, będę mogła przedłożyć na warunki panujące w Polsce. Bezpośredni kontakt z obcą kulturą poskutkował odkryciem nowych umiejętności do podejmowania nowych wyzwań i rozwiązywania obcych mi dotąd problemów. Poszerzyło to także mój My NCCU, My Story

78 Stories Karolina Goebel światopogląd i zrozumienie dla innych kultur i narodów, które będę mogła wykorzystać w mojej karierze zawodowej. Przyczyniła się do tego także możliwość współpracy z osobami z najdalszych zakątków świata. Dzięki temu doświadczeniu, wiem już, jak pracować z ludźmi reprezentującymi różne kultury, i nawiązałam przyjaźnie, które, mam nadzieję, przetrwają długie lata. Nauczyłam się także szybkiej adaptacji do nowego środowiska. Ta umiejętność z pewnością przyda mi się podczas procesu aklimatyzacji w nowej firmie oraz w innych miejscach, w których będę miała możliwość się pojawić. 72 Dodatkowo, możliwość brania udziału w różnego rodzaju kursach i zajęciach fakultatywnych, których nie oferują uczelnie w Polsce, zwiększy wartość mojego dyplomu. Przyczyni się do tego także znajomość języka chińskiego, którego nauka w kraju, w którym jest on powszechnie używany, jest samą przyjemnością. Myślę, że podjęcie studiów za granicą, na prestiżowej uczelni, było jedną z najważniejszych decyzji w moim życiu, która zaważy na mojej przyszłości i karierze zawodowej. Choć studia w kraju oddalonym od rodzinnego miejsca zamieszkania o tysiące kilometrów to niejednokrotnie ciężka praca oraz szereg wyrzeczeń i poświęceń, to korzyści, które z pewnością zyskam będą znaczące. My NCCU, My Story

79 Stories Dominik Fischer Dominik Fischer Exchange student Home country : Germany Home university : Zeppelin Universität Language : German My stay at NCCU in Taiwan has been the most valuable experience I have ever had. At first I planned to stay for 3 months, but I extended it to 8 months in the end. Thanks to numerous highlights for my stay at NCCU, everything I experienced has so much positively influenced my future life. Mit diesem Essay möchte ich noch einmal fast 2 Jahre nachdem ich Taiwan das erste mal besucht habe die Zeit ein wenig Revue passieren lassen und mich an die Zeit in Taiwan zurückerinnern. Ich kann mich noch genau erinnern, als ich an einem morgen im International Office der Zeppelin Universität saß und auf eine Weltkarte blickte. Ich habe mich gefragt, wo nur mein Austauschsemester stattfinden sollte. Ich kannte Nord Amerika und den afrikanischen Kontinent bereits durch Reisen. Aber Taiwan? Wo war das überhaupt? Ich habe zwar den Namen schon ein paar Mal auf Elektrogeräten gelesen aber ich kannte Taiwan nicht wirklich. Auf der Suche nach einem Studienort, der viele neue Herausforderungen bereit hält und zudem zahlreiche neue Einblicke bietet habe ich mich dann schnell für Taiwan entschieden. Zur Vorbereitung auf meinen Taiwanaufenthalt habe ich 2 Bücher von deutschen Expats gelesen. Kaum in Taiwan angekommen habe ich dann aber bemerkt, dass meine persönlichen Eindrücke viel stärker sind. So habe ich dann auch wieder schnell die Bücher vergessen. Sofort nach meiner Ankuft begann der Orientation Day, an welchem alles genau erklärt wurde. Ich war sofort begeistert von der Offenheit und Freundlichkeit der Leute in Taiwan gegenüber uns Fremden. Wir wurden mit großer Neugierde und Interesse überall begrüßt und uns wurde stets Hilfe angeboten. Ich fühlte mich bald heimisch. Der Übergang von Ankunftsphase hin zu den Vorlesungen verlief reibungslos. Bald erkannte ich, wie viel Spaß es mir bereitet hat, in dieser neuen Kultur zu leben und kurz darauf hat mich mein Buddy Carol mit zu sich nach Hause nach Tainan eingeladen. Ich war fasziniert von der 73 My NCCU, My Story

80 Stories Dominik Fischer I-house, a very modernized accommodation for NCCU international students and scholars within walking distance to campus, was a key place during my stay in Taiwan. I really found a second home here during my stay of 6 months. I also got to meet many friends from different cultural backgrounds. It was a moment when my girl friend (in the middle) and I (left in white T-shirt) had to say good bye to a friend of mine (right in plaid shirt). 74 Fahrt mit dem THSR. Vorbei an Reisfeldern, Fischfarmen und Industriegebieten. Ich verbrachte dort ein Wochenende mit ihrer Familie. Die Eindrücke waren sehr schön. Später waren dann die Highlights die Ausflüge von den Student Ambassadors und IY. Diese gingen zu abgelegenen Orten und Sehenswürdigkeiten im Süden und an der Ostküste. Die NCCU ist wunderschön gelegen. Der Maokong Mountain ist direkt nebenan. Ich hatte die Gelegenheit zu zahlreichen Ausflügen zu diesem wunderbaren Berg und durfte dort einige schöne Stunden verbringen. Von dort aus hatte ich auch einen wunderschönen Blick auf den Taipei 101. Der Taipei 101 ist das faszinierendste Bauwerk, das ich je gesehen. In jeder anderen Stadt vermisse ich heute diesen Turm. Auch das akademische Leben an der NCCU hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Meine Heimatuniversität war zu diesem Zeitpunkt sehr klein. Die NCCU empfand ich zu Beginn als eigene und sehr lebhafte Stadt. Besonders gut gefallen hat mir die Social Science Library. Hier verbrachte ich zahlreiche Stunden während ich Aufsätze verfasste und für Klausuren lernte. Ich wählte nicht nur Wirtschaftskurse, sondern auch einen Kurs, welcher sich mit der schaffenden Kunst in Taiwan beschäftigt und durch diesen Kurs konnte ich die taiwanesische Kultur noch besser kennen lernen. Die anderen Kurse gaben mir zahlreiche Einblicke in das Land. So besuchten wir zahlreiche Produktionsstätten für Elektronik und andere Geräte oder auch Museen, um die Kunst zu bestaunen. Ich plante ursprünglich nur 3 Monate in Taiwan zu bleiben, um mein Semester abzuschließen. Im Anschluss an meine Zeit an der NCCU habe ich dann noch 2 Praktika absolviert. Somit konnte ich nicht nur in Taiwan lernen, sondern auch versuchen mein erlerntes Wissen umzusetzen. Ein weiterer Höhepunkt war ganz am Ende. Die NCCU war die Partneruniversität des Harvard Projects for Asia. Ich bewarb mich schon früh für diese Konferenz und erhielt einen My NCCU, My Story

81 Stories Dominik Fischer der begehrten Plätze. Gemeinsam mit Studenten aus aller Welt diskutierten wir eine Woche und hörten zahlreiche spannende Vorträge. Anschließend war meine Zeit in Taiwan an der NCCU vorüber. Nun möchte ich darauf zu sprechen kommen, wie sich die Erfahrungen an der NCCU auf mein weiteres Leben ausgewirkt haben. Vorab kann ich nur sagen, dass die Auswirkungen sehr positiv und stark waren. An der NCCU konnte ich zahlreiche neue Freunde finden. Dies geschah sowohl unter den Austauschstudenten als auch unter den lokalen Kommilitonen. Dies ist während meiner weiteren akademischen Laufbahn sehr fruchtbar. Als ich wieder in Deutschland zurück war, habe ich erst gemerkt, wie mich die dortige Kultur verändert hat. Viele Dinge sehe ich heute aus einer zusätzlichen Perspektive, welche ich damals an der NCCU kennen gelernt habe. Natürlich ist Taiwan etwas Besonderes, das weit ab von den typischen Besuchsländern liegt. Viele Menschen reagieren neugierig. Auch habe ich mein weiteres Studium auf die Asien-Pazifikregion ausgerichtet, da ich mir gut vorstellen kann in dieser Umgebung zu leben. Besonders die Praktika, welche ich in Taiwan absolviert habe, haben sich sehr gut auf weitere Tätigkeiten ausgewirkt. Taiwan gilt eben als etwas Besonderes. Heute studiere ich im CEMS Masterprogramm an der University of Sydney Business School und der London School of Economics. Nebenbei versuche ich meine chinesisch Kenntnisse auszubauen und hoffe eines Tages eine Arbeitsstelle in Taiwan zu finden. Mein Kontakt nach Taiwan ist sehr eng. Ich skype jeden Tag mit Kommilitonen, welche ich in Taiwan kennen gelernt habe. Taiwan ist für mich nicht mehr wegzudenken. Dreimal habe ich Taiwan noch besucht, nachdem ich an der NCCU war und die nächste Reise dorthin wird sicherlich noch in diesem Jahr stattfinden. Bis bald! 75 My NCCU, My Story

82 Stories 八木菫 八木菫 Sumire Yagi Exchange student Home country : Japan Home university : Akita International University Language : Japanese 76 My NCCU experience had a huge effect on me. Among the most important factors were various Student Clubs I attended; Buddy Program where I met helpful local students, and friendly roommates; and solid Chinese courses offered by Chinese Language Center at NCCU. Both local and international students I met motivated me to work harder on my Chinese and English. With noticeable progress in these two languages, I got to connect with people from different backgrounds and learn different cultures at a deeper level. To me, it is like the ドラえもん s どこでもドア (a special door that can take you to wherever you want to go in Doraemon ) that opens my eyes and takes me to a whole new place. I am grateful that NCCU gave me the key to this door and I am now even more motivated to see what could be behind this door or can t wait to open more doors. 私がなぜ政治大学を留学先に選んだかというと 以前私の大学から留学に行っていた先輩から NCCUの学生はとても親切で 学生のモチベーションが高く また キャンパスも勉強に集中しやすい環境である ということを聞いていたからです また 私の大学に留学に来ていた政治大学の学生と仲良かったのもひとつの理由です 政治大学では いろいろな人との出会い 授業に対する真剣な姿勢などとたいへん貴重な体験をしました 全ての経験が様々な形で私のモチベーションの向上につながりましたが その中でも特に 大学の学生団体 バディー ルームメイトなどに大きく影響されました 自分の大学でも中国語は勉強していたので 不安はさほど大きくはありませんでしたが やはり 新しい大学生活というのには期待も大きい半面 不安もありました 日本人は何人かいるものの 他大学と比べれば少なく 英語と中国語を使って意思疎通を図らなければならない状況に少し戸惑いました しかし 政治大学には Student Ambassadorsなどの学生団体があり 留学初期にはNCCUの学生がグループに分かれて大学を案内してくれて そこでいろいろな留学生と友達になったり 学生やサポートしてくださる方々皆さんが私の話す内容を一生懸命に理解しようとしてくださったりしたおかげで 留学生活をなんとかうまくスタートすることができました また そのStudent My NCCU, My Story

83 Stories 八木菫 Ambassadorsなどの学生団体が たとえ中国語を話せなくても台湾の文化に触れ合うことのできる機会を用意してくれました 政治大学にはそのような機会がたくさんあり 一学期だけでも充分留学生活をたのしむことができました 私は初期 語学センターに通って毎日中国語を勉強していたため 大学の授業との両立が大変だと感じていました しかし 語学センターのクラスメイト達が応援してくれたこと そして台湾でしか経験できないことだという思いのおかげで頑張ることができました さらに 政治大学では 交換留学生一人につき最低一人は政治大学での生活をサポートしてくれるバディーがいます 幸運にも 私は二人のバディーがいて 二人とも新聞学科で忙しい時期にもかかわらず 私が履修登録などで困っているときにはすぐに手助けしてくれたり 合間を縫っては遊びに連れて行ってくれたり 食べたりと 二人は日本語が話せるわけではありませんでしたが 私の下手な中国語を一生懸命聞いてくれて 政治大学での留学生活をサポートしてくれました もっとも私を成長させてくれたのは ルームメイトとの出会いです 私は大学の学生寮で 日本人 香港人 ブラジル人の計 4 人で一緒に暮らしました 香港人とブラジル人のルームメイトは 一学期だけで帰国しなければならず 本当に短い間でしたが みんな本当にいい人たちで 毎日部屋に帰るたびにたくさん笑っていました 二人が帰国してからの部屋には 次のルームメイトたちが来るまで私と日本人のルームメイト二人しかいないのでとても寂しくなりました しかし そう思えるのも 素敵なルームメイトに出会えていたおかげだったと思います 英語も中国語も下手な私ですが 国籍の違う人と一緒に住んで 考え方や文化の違いも学べ 違いがありつつも自分から積極的に話しかけて行動すれば その違いを乗り越えられるのだと学べました また 英語と中国語を話さなければならなかったので 相手に自分の意思を My friends and I (on far right with gray long dress) had pizza and Brazilian food in the common room of our dormitory. At NCCU, there are many places where students can gather, have fun, and learn from one another. ちゃんと伝えられない時の悔しさが 私の言語学習への意欲になりました 言語がわからなくても ボディーランゲージなどを使えばコミュニケーションはとれるという人もいます しかし 私は 言語の違いを通して 多言語を習得するということは 就職などのためだけでなく 人と人とのコミュニケーションにおいて非常に役に立つことだと思いました 言語がわかるようになれば その人の国のこと 考え方 文化等いろいろなことが学べます 普段の政治大学での授業でもそうです 自分の母国語を話さない人と もっと仲良くなりたい その人が何を考えているのか知りたい と思ったときに 自分の言語を通してではなく相手の言語を通すことによって思いをわかりあえることもあると思います また 話せる言語が増えれば友達も増える 異文化に触れることができる そういったことを改めて実感することができました 今現在留学生活の半年が終わって 中国語の伸びがまだ足りないなどと悔しく思うこともあります しかし この半年政治大学での生活は 私にたくさんの試練と成長と出会いを与えてくれました 残りの半年も 政治大学での出会いを大切にして 後悔のない留学生活を終えたいと思います そして ここでの留学が 知識だけではなく人間的にも成長させてくれると信じて頑張ります 77 My NCCU, My Story

84 Stories 勞汝潔 勞汝潔 Rujie Lao Exchange student Home country : China Home university : Zhejiang University Language : Chinese 78 After returning from NCCU for half a year, I would feel the overlapping of time and space at times. Whenever I'm in class, in conversation or in my stroll, the similar scenes spent in NCCU would come into mind. It has endowed me with knowledge, different perspectives to look at the world, ways to learn and attitude towards life. These would always help me timely to go through the crises in my life, like an interview, one mire of depression and other problems. I strongly believe that, I am fated to be rescued by these one day, in a certain way. 它存在過 My NCCU, My Story

85 Stories 勞汝潔 79 PPT GPA My NCCU, My Story

86 Stories 勞汝潔 80 On June 21st, 2013 during the graduation season at NCCU, I was dressed in baccalaureate gown, feeling ready to move on to the next step and contribute to the society. My NCCU, My Story

87 Stories 徐美超 徐美超 Meichao Xu Exchange student Home country : China Home university : Fudan University Language : Chinese When I came to Taipei, there was no doubt that my expression, face, and accent revealed my identity as an outsider, but I felt comfortable and I didn't attempt to disguise myself to escape from reality. After I traveled around Taiwan, I can clearly feel that Taipei is a fast city, which made me have the illusion of being in Shanghai. Although on the school shuttle bus, I would still hear thank you and you're welcome, occasionally saw some hurrying passersby, tired faces on the MRT, or quarrels on this gentle land, unlike in Shanghai, I naturally know all this is very natural. 81 何須風月來醉人 2009 My NCCU, My Story

88 Stories 徐美超 I took the famous ride, Makong cable car, not far from NCCU to Maokong Mountain. Sitting in the car looking at the scenery from different perspectives, the view varies. However, what does not vary, no matter from which perspective you approach the face of a local person here, is their wholehearted smiles. My NCCU, My Story

89 Stories 李卓爾 李卓爾 Thor Li Exchange student Home country : China Home university : Peking University Language : Chinese Life in National Chengchi University was the most fabulous experience I ve ever had. People I was surrounded by at school, my friends and even just strangers were very inviting and warm. I always call Taipei as the Miracle City. Being here and experiencing a different lifestyle has changed my perception of life. It has allowed me to widen my perspective and become self-sufficient. The quality that I value the most is the gentleness I found in the local people in Taiwan. This memorable NCCU experience would propel me to pass on this gentleness to more people and to be a better person. 83 My NCCU, My Story

90 Stories 李卓爾 Rome Square at NCCU is one of the popular places on NCCU campus where people picnic, discuss, listen to concerts and public talks My NCCU, My Story

91 Stories 李卓爾 My NCCU, My Story

92 Stories 馮灝 馮灝 Layla Feng Exchange student Home country : China Home university : Nankai University Language : Chinese As an exchange student to NCCU, this trip is not only an academic trip in my life, but also a trip of growth that brought me new changes and left me with feelings of love and nostalgia. In order to meet you, my dear NCCU, I have walked a long way. Though now I have to leave, I know I will think of you every step along the way in my life. Happy birthday, NCCU! 86 My NCCU, My Story

93 Stories 馮灝 Before leaving NCCU, I visited NCCU Archives with some of my friends from mainland. I held up the magnet of my home university, Nankai University, in my hand, realizing how lucky I am to benefit from this partnership with NCCU that actively facilitates academic exchange and cooperation. I have obviously learned much more than I had expected. 87 My NCCU, My Story

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