2013_01_Ariana Da Costa Gomez

* Full Name: Ariana Da Costa Gomez
* University/ Institute: Leiden University  
* Nationality: Netherlands

A couple of weeks ago I arrived in Taiwan, not knowing what to expect of this yet to be discovered island off the coast of China. As I stept out of the plane, I remembered the moment Dani (my classmate and good friend back home) asked me if I was interested in going with her to this summer course. I instantly agreed, but in the back of my mind I thought it was all still so far away. Now, I was walking out of the airport and felt the notorious hot air of Taiwan brush against my face and I instantly knew that this was going to be a trip to remember.

Before I came to Taiwan, I already studied Mandarin for a year at Leiden University in Holland. It’s the only place in the Netherlands where you can get a higher education in Chinese culture and language and I must say I feel lucky to be one of the few that are following this very interesting and challenging course. Naturally, when I got here I was itching to practice my Mandarin skills and in a way show off what I had learned this past year in school. Boy, was I in for a surprise! Right away I got my first reality check when I tried to explain to the cab driver at the airport where our dorm was. He didn’t understand a word I was saying and I didn’t understand anything that came flying out of his mouth with a speed of a hundred miles an hour. After hearing “shenme” (meaning “what” in Mandarin) for the so manias time, I gave up and showed him a piece of paper where we had to be. At that moment I knew I still had a lot to learn.

After a long hour of dosing off in the back of the cab we finally arrived at the I-House, the place we have been calling home for the past six weeks. Everybody has been so nice here and is always ready to help with anything. Even after long study sessions till 3 am in the morning, every time while walking back to my room I got to hear “Wan’an” (goodnight) with the nicest most genuine smile from the night guard. And after coming back from a long hot day of strolling through the streets of Taipei, it’s always been a relief hearing the beeping sound of my room unlocking and being able to turn on the air conditioning and relax in a very peaceful environment It’s the little things that count! The I-House has definitely become a home away from home to me.

When Dani and I settled in that day, we both fell asleep almost instantly. After a thirteen hour flight and the cab drive it has been a long travel and naturally we both were very tired.  The next morning we woke up, it felt like it was the first day of school all over again. We had our first introduction to the courses and on that same day a placement test to see on which level you could speak, write and read mandarin. I was a bit nervous, but it turned out to be fine. We both placed in the intermediate class and got to meet our new classmates the next day.

The Mandarin classes here are way more challenging than those back home. We have a very energetic teacher and the only language spoken in class-yep you guessed it- was Mandarin. While you might think “well of course, that’s what you came to learn here right?!”, I can assure you those three hours of class where the most intense hours of concentration I’ve had during my whole year of University. Coming out of that class I felt a bit insecure about the coming weeks, but also motivated. I was determined and eager to learn.

The course consisted of four classes a week, three hours a day of constant speaking, reading, writing and listening exercises and I’m not going to lie it was hard at times. But now that the course is over, tomorrow we have our big final test, I have definitely noticed progress in my language skills. Speaking and listening, especially understanding, have been the biggest challenge but I feel that after a few bumps in the road and a lot of practice it’s been worth my while coming here to NCCU.

Of course, while I was here I didn’t only study. Taiwan has so much to offer in every aspect.  The title of this essay, as you might have noticed, is a pretty cliché one but it’s the truest to what I’ve experienced here on this beautiful Island. Let me explain. While I was in Lugang, an urban township in northwestern Changhua County, I stayed in a very charming hostel called Tai17. Dani and me decided to go away for the weekend and explore this little town and see how a smaller city was different from the always busy Taipei. This little town is known for it’s old  preserved architectural structures, many temples and delicious Baozi( a type of steamed filled bun, of a bread like texture). There is no other way to describe Lugang, but quaint. Every corner you turned (trust me Lugang has a lot of them)  there was something new to see, but always true to its old traditions. For example, we happened to stumble upon an old shop were the owner has been making Chinese lanterns in every size and form for seventy years. Traditional professionalism at its best.

As we walked the streets of Lugang for a whole day, going from temple to temple through little alleys and walking on the market we ended up eating at a little food stand on the side of the road. The people were so nice and welcoming and even though we had a bit of a language barrier, we ended up eating a nice bowl of Chinese noodles with delicious pork and steamed veggies. A full stomach makes a happy heart, is a well used proverb back home and it couldn’t have been more true at that moment.

The next morning the very nice owner of the hostel we were staying at had made breakfast for us. While we were sitting at the breakfast table enjoying our sandwiches, I happened to notice a book in the book shelve. It was Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and it all fell into place to me. This trip, not only the one to Lugang but also everywhere else we have been to, was defined by those words.

First of Eat. Taiwan has a rich food culture, everywhere you turn there’s a little restaurant, food stand, juice bar or night market. You can get everything from squid nuggets to traditional dumplings all in just one street. And everything tastes as good as it looks! The night markets are my favorite place to try strange new things like “stinky tofu”, but fancier restaurants like Din Tai Fung (famous for its delicious dumplings) are also on my favorite list. One thing is for sure, for every taste there is something to find here.

Pray. The second thing you will see the most here in Taiwan, except for the many restaurants, are temples. Everywhere you go you will stumble upon one. From small ones in an alley to really big ones like Longshan Temple, they are all well visited by locals here. The bigger temples are always very busy, and there is a lot going on. Every temple has it’s gods, that can help you in a specific area like love, school, work, health etc. Walking through temples and feeling the presence of belief  of the prayers offering essence and other goods to the gods for good fortune, you can’t help but also start to feel a sense of belief. I always stood in awe looking at all the detailed work put into the architecture, every temple has something special.

And last but not least, Love. This is the easiest one to explain to someone that has been to Taiwan, because it is almost impossible to not fall in love with this place. The people, the culture, the food, nature, everything is just amazing on its own. I guess you will just have to visit this special island, to understand what I mean.

Before ending this essay I would like to tell something about the best experience I’ve had here. It was a couple of days ago, on the 5th of August 2013. I went up to Zhinan temple and it was absolutely breathtaking. I've never seen such a beautiful place in my life, I just felt really small and everything else seemed so unimportant. When I was watching the sunset and the frogs and crickets were chirping, I actually got overwhelmed with a very sad feeling. The day was coming to an end and it made me really realise that this amazing trip to Taiwan was also coming to an end and that I wouldn't see this beautiful place anymore. On the other hand I felt this feeling of infinite beauty and happiness, I'm just so happy I came here and got the chance to see all of this. I’ve experienced things I have never experienced before, from jumping of cliffs in Taroko National Park to visiting the world’s second largest building, it has all been a great adventure.

Taiwan has really captured a piece of my heart and I think it’s safe to say that when I leave in a couple of days, it won’t be a goodbye but a see you later.   

The International Building where NCCU Chinese Language Center located

The sunset scenery taken at the Zhinan temple

The food stands of the night market

Taipei 101 Building 

    

NCCU International Summer School 政治大學國際夏日課程

Interested in Taiwan and its connections to Asia?

Start here to learn about Taiwan with an Asian and global outlook at National Chengchi University (NCCU). The 2013 NCCU ISS provides you with both intensive Mandarin Chinese learning and 9 Academic intensive courses in the fields of Management, Social Sciences, and Humanities, focusing on the aspects of Taiwan, China, and East Asia. In addition to the academic and language benefits, the program provides you with several well designed excursions; you will be taken to the most significant cultural and historical attractions in the greater Taipei areas. So make your 2013 summer meaningful and unforgettable, come to NCCU to enhance your knowledge in business, economics/ politics, art, Mandarin Chinese, and give yourself an opportunity to meet and interact with international students from all corners of the world with diversified cultural and social background. Our website and online application link will be available in early February.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us: 

Office of International Cooperation (OIC), NCCU
Tel: +886-2-29393091 ext. 62026
Fax: +886-2-29399850

E-mail: nccusummerschool@gmail.com
Website: http://oic.nccu.edu.tw/13summerschool/
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/319176984855264/

有興趣認識台灣與亞洲的連結嗎？

國立政治大學絕對是您海外進修的最佳選擇！2013年國立政治大學國際夏日課程(ISS)除了提供華語文學習，更分別開設9門相關人文社會、商學管理的密集課程，課程主軸含括台灣、中國大陸、東亞等議題。此外，我們將安排充滿人文、知性的校外參訪，行程以台北著名的景點為主。因此，就讓政大帶給您一個難忘又具有意義的暑假，密集的課程規劃將提升您的華語文能力，並進一步學習、累積相關藝術、商管、政治、經濟等知識，並藉由這樣難得的機會，與來自世界各地不同背景的學員交流。相關資訊網站與報名連結於二月初開放。

※如有相關問題，歡迎與我們聯繫：

國立政治大學國際合作事務處

Tel: +886-2-29393091 ext. 62566

Fax: +886-2-29399850

E-mail: nccusummerschool@gmail.com

Website: http://oic.nccu.edu.tw/13summerschool/
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/319176984855264/

The Photo Gallery of 2012 NCCU ISS

Please feel free to click the following links to browse the photos about 2012 ISS: 

* 2012.07.01: Accommodation Check-In

* 2012.07.02: Morning Orientation 

* 2012.07.06: A Visit to the National Palace  Museum

* 2012.07.12 & 19: Chinese Calligraphy Workshop

* 2012.07.13: A Visit to Taiwan's Northeast Coast & Jinguashin Gold Museum

* 2012.07.20: A Visit to Puppet Theatre Museum

* 2012.07.26: Chinese Handcraft Workshop

* 2012.07: Class Photos

 

2012_01_Amy Frances Latimer

* 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)

2011_03_Xiao Li

* Full Name: Xiao Li
* University/ Institute: Purdue University, West Lafayette
* Nationality: China

My Thoughts on Cross-Strait Relations after Studying in Taiwan for a Month

      For a full-time college student, it is fair to say that I travel often. My passports usually get stamped a few times a year, but visiting my best friend Shawn’s home province Taiwan had always been wishful thinking up until this summer. Whether you like the term Taiwan Province, or you would prefer making a distinction between “People’s Republic of China” and Taiwan (Republic of China)”, we will probably have to settle with agreeing to disagree.

     Apart from an epic summer shuffling every night, I actually went to Taipei to study Cross-Strait Relations at National Chengchi University (NCCU) – one of Purdue’s sister schools in Taiwan. NCCU excelled in dazzling visiting students with interdisciplinary and opposing views on the seemingly revived cross-strait relations. This perfectly rendered the complications and contentions embedded in the question: if Taiwan should reunify with mainland China.

     First, a bit of propaganda from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). According to Dr. Joseph Wu, former Director of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the US (a de facto Ambassador to the US), 10% of residents in Taiwan want immediate reunification, 20% prefer seeking independence, and 70% would like to maintain the status quo with mainland, as well as leaving the options up to future generations. Dr. Wu also explained that the bulk of the population hesitates to choose now, because Anti-secession Law passed by Beijing’s congress authorized the People’s Liberation Army to reunify Taiwan by force upon declaration of independence, and also because they value Taiwan’s current democratic political system.

     Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist Party) – current ruling party of Taiwan – believes that the Republic of China founded in 1911 by the party lives on in Taiwan and Fujian Provinces, notwithstanding loosing mainland China to the Communist Party in the civil war and the consequential establishment of People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 1949. According to Dr. Chang, a former think-tank member for the Kuomigtang President Lee Teng-hui, elderly members of Kuomintang and its veterans make up the majority of population in Taiwan that wishes to see immediate reunification of mainland China and Taiwan. Those educated middle class and younger generations are mostly indecisive, while supporters of DPP are pro-independent.

     There is no doubt on whether reunification will bring Taiwan prosperity, but resistance arises because Taiwan will not trade a transparent and democratic political system for just  more money. Indecision emerges because breaking the status quo could invite a bitter war. Across the strait, Beijing would not promise to refrain from taking over Taiwan (R.O.C.) by force, because it deems itself as the successor of Republic of China, and as the sole legal representation of China. Taiwan, being a former province of ROC should be automatically translated into a province of PRC. Things seem to be in a deadlock, and brinksmanship is prevailing.

     Political conflicts arise because people care about things. The only way to unravel the situation is to promote convergence on what we value. Reunifications always trumped the uproars of secessionists. China had seen it all in the past 5000 years. Things will only get straightened out with sincere conversations. Where future cross strait relations might hold is not even a question. Real question remains as how to facilitate the process of mutual understanding and appreciation after more than half century of separation and hostility.

British Simon refuses to do the Peace sign in the Yankee way.

Do the peace sign on the top of the hill near Taiwan's northeastern coastline.

2011_02_May Phatsorn Leelasuntaloet

* Full Name: Phatsorn Leelasuntaloet 吴美光
* University/ Institute: University of Nottingham 
* Nationality: Thailand 

        My two months in Taipei has gone by really fast, and it is soon nearly the time to go back. I had registered for Taiwan Global in Context Course and Chinese Language Class, and also had participated in the Cultural Workshops and Field Trips organized by NCCU. Everything is so interesting and it will be an unforgettable memory in my life! During my stay, I also made many good friends from the summer course and we had a good opportunity to make some exciting trips during the weekends to the East Coast and the South of Taiwan. 

        We aim to see the most of Taiwan during our stay. We went Rafting in HuaLian and RuiSui, swimming in HengChun and KenTing, and sightseeing in GaoShiong, and if possible we might be going to the Central Taiwan next weekend for the Sun-Moon Lake and off to the Western region of Taiwan to PengHu Island.

        All the trips were great experience, and we have gained the life-last knowledge that can’t be learned from any text books. We also met many nice people everywhere we gone, and all the Taiwanese we have met are so kind and warm-heart that they always willing to give you their hands if you needed one.

       
        One day we went for a walk on the mountain behind the campus and we were not so sure which path to take, there was a lovely old lady who we accidentally met on the path happily accompanied us along the way and talk to us as if we were her grandchildren. Another day we were at Beitou for the Hot spring, on our way back it was quite late and we were looking for a supermarket to get some snake, there is a family with 3 young kids nearby helped us to get to Careful, walked with us and talked as if we were their old friends.  Once again, during our trip to the south, we were walking to KenTing national park, but a big truck stopped by and the driver open the container to let us sit there on the way to the national park. On our way back to the hotel, we were also lucky enough to meet another generous man, he has an old empty van with no air-conditioning, but he offer us to hop on and take us back to the hostel we were staying. I believe that Taiwan is one on the very few countries in the world that you would find these kinds of scenario.

        I would love to come back to Taiwan again in the future, either for a visit or for my further study. It is a very nice country to stay. I am sure you will love it!

2011_01_Christopher Robertson Nixon

* Full Name: Christopher Robertson Nixon 

* University/ Institute: University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign

* Nationality: U.S.     

        The NCCU Summer School was a really great experience for me.  Even though I had already been to Taiwan three times before, I still learned and saw lots of new things.  I was especially interested in the class on "Taiwan in the Global Context."  As I have lots of Taiwanese friends, I have heard a lot about Taiwanese politics and cross-strait relations before, as well as learning about it in high school history class, but this course really helped me to better understand the situation, as well as the KMT's and DPP's reasonings and philosophies.  The professors were very knowledgeable, and most of them were very interesting to listen to and speak with.  The trips organized by NCCU were very good also.  I especially enjoyed the trip to Taiwan's north coast, and the visit to the Gold Ecological Park.  The accommodations at I-House were far nicer than I expected from a university dorm.  The staff were so helpful to all of us.

        The Mandarin Chinese course was also very good.  The small class size of 7 or 8 made the classes so much better, as we could spend most of our time actually speaking with each other, rather than just listening to a teacher.  My Chinese got much better this summer, through the combination of this class, and just attempting to speak Chinese as much as possible in Taipei (and through the help of the friendly Starbucks staff, who taught me new words every day).

        The one thing I would change about this summer school is to make it longer.  We were going out every day after class to see and do things, but by the last week, we still felt that there was so much more in Taiwan that we wanted to see.  Last summer, I attended a summer school at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, which was six weeks long.  I think if possible, extending the NCCU summer school to six weeks would be a great improvement.  This would allow us to cover more topics in more depth in the class, as well as allow us time to go to a city other than Taipei on our own time.  We all wanted to see more of Taiwan, especially after the lecturer from the Kenting aquarium told us how beautiful the southern beaches were.

        I am considering attending the program again next summer, if the topic of the cultural class is interesting to me.  I have made many friends both in Taiwan and around the world through this summer school.  It was an amazing and exciting four weeks!  We were all sad to go home.