Taiwanese Universities Attract International Students

2009/03/11 Taiwan by Lin

In recent years more and more international students come to study in the universities in Taiwan. So, what attracts international students to come to Taiwan to study and what impresses them about classes in Taiwan? The number of National Central University (NCU) international students has increased over the years, and they were interviewed on their decision of studying abroad in Taiwan.

I made a questionnaire to invite some international students in NCU to share their opinions. There are five female and five male students, from USA, France, Uzbek, Paraguay, Guatemala, Mongolia and Haiti. Among them are two special cases. One of the students is Chinese-French and another one is half-Taiwanese who grew up in France.

The reasons that made them come to Taiwan to study are various, such as Taiwan offers great scholarship, good chances to learn Taiwanese culture and Chinese, to meet Taiwanese people, to visit landscapes in Taiwan, the well-known education system and program of Taiwan, the weather is warm, the cost of living is cheap, and “God led me here!” The guy from USA is teaching in Taiwan and his reason is to get a Master’s degree for a better job in the universities of Taiwan. The Chinese-French girl's reason is to improve her Chinese "because more and more people speak Chinese." The half-Taiwanese student's reason is to “explore his mother’s country!”

Besides, they also meet some culture shocks about the classes in Taiwan. The biggest challenge is that many classes are lectured in Chinese. Some classes are taught in mixed way---in both English and Chinese. Courses in Taiwan lack of practical applications and field trips. Students’ choices of taking courses are free. Students come to classes after teacher. Students eat and sleep during classes. Taiwanese students don’t ask questions in classes. All teachers are professors and their classes are based on high quality publications. Professors are not used to being questioned in class. And Taiwanese students are more autodidactic.

Overall, International students are attracted by Taiwanese culture, chances to learn Chinese, great scholarship, and good educational system in Taiwan. After they came to Taiwan, the biggest challenge for them is that many classes are lectured in Chinese, and the culture shock about the different teaching methods, Taiwanese students’ learning style, and the flexible atmosphere and attitude toward classes. Although Taiwanese government continuously offers great opportunities and benefits to attract international students, they can still make improvements and adjustments---especially the language issues in class---to help international students adapt the educational system in Taiwan.