* Full Name: Amy Frances Latimer
* University/ Institute: University of Leicester
* Nationality: UK
The program run by the International Summer School has allowed me to spend six weeks studying and learning about topics which I hadn’t before considered, or even had the option to explore. Coming to Taiwan, I had very little knowledge of its history or culture, but the Taiwan In Global Context programme helped to fill in the gaps in my knowledge, and even taught me how my own country’s history was linked with Taiwan’s. The different topics covered by the programme also made me think differently about some aspects of my own study at home. After learning about Taiwan’s turbulent past with the PRC, I took a slightly different point of view towards the world around me, and this aspect of the course made me not only appreciate Taiwan’s past, but also Taiwan in the present.
Before I arrived at the Summer School, as a beginner, I found the prospect of learning Mandarin for six weeks to be quite daunting. In fact, the whole experience has been quite the opposite. All of the teachers conduct lessons in a level of Mandarin appropriate for their group, and the lessons are often so relaxed that you forget that you’re actually learning. If you’ve never learned Mandarin before, everything you learn in your lessons becomes immediately practical for your adventures around the island. I’ve enjoyed Mandarin at the Summer School so much that I plan to continue learning the language at my home university.
Not only did the Summer School provide a comfortable learning environment, but the accommodation offered by the International House (I-House) exceeded my expectations. I had checked out the facilities on the NCCU website before arriving and was quite pleased with what I saw, but it’s hard to convey just how comfortable it is. Having air-conditioning in the rooms provides that much-needed relief from the heat outside, and helps with getting a comfortable night’s sleep. All areas of the I-House are kept really clean, and it’s just as relaxing to settle down in the lobby, TV room or study room as it is in your bedroom. Though the kitchen facilities are quite limited (there is still a microwave and small oven), you can always pick up food and drink from the I-House cafe, but most importantly I believe that the proximity of the I-House to so many different restaurants encourages students of the Summer School to try new things from Day 1. One thing which becomes apparent very quickly is that food is everywhere in Taiwan, and it’s important to try everything once! As well as the facilities provided by the I-House, its location is brilliant for getting into the centre of Taipei. The fact that you can see Taipei 101 from the Mandarin classrooms gives an indicator for just how close you are to everything, and as such you should never complain that there is nothing to do. Buses to the city run often, as do trains from Taipei Zoo (which is also just around the corner!), and the directions for the use of public transport is helpfully given on the first day.
I would also stress that people shouldn’t be put off applying for the Summer School simply because of the word School. When it comes to exploring Taipei, you’re no more than an hour away from any of the ‘must-see’ sights, so it’s possible to fit a lot into your evenings after classes. Alongside this, the free weekends give you plenty of time to visit the rest of the island, and even though it’s pricier than visiting Taipei, it is very much worth it. Often prices for travelling look more expensive than they actually are, so keeping a currency conversion guide handy is quite helpful. If I have any advice to offer on planning trips around the island, it would be to find anyone from your home school who is also going and book trips for the first few weekends with them in advance in order to hopefully reduce the cost. This leaves the last few weekends free for you to book any trips with the friends you make at the ISS!
Studying in Taiwan has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I would absolutely recommend the International Summer School to anybody considering it. I often find myself forgetting that I don’t actually live here because the locals are so accommodating and the surroundings are so comfortable. An appreciation for Taiwan has been inspired in me that will hopefully see me continuing my Mandarin studies and, ideally, returning many times in the future.
Chinese Calligraphy Workshop (1)
Chinese Calligraphy Workshop (2)
The Field Trip to the Jinguashin Gold Museum (220-kilogram golden brick)
Taiwan in the Global Context Program (group picture)
The Field Trip to the National Palace Museum (group picture)
The Field Trip to the Historic Site of Jinguashin Gold Mine (group picture)
