2014_02_Iris Huisman

* Full Name: Iris Huisman
* University/ Institute: Netherlands Asia Honours Summer School (NAHSS)     
* Nationality: Netherlands

The day we arrived at the airport the first thing I noticed was the humid temperature and the clean environment. The next day we met our buddies, and how I would have expected they would be somewhat shy, they proved the opposite. All of the buddies are so friendly and helpful like you would not even see in China. Also, the university area is so clean, really amazing how they do this here. I also love the little eat shops on the streets. You can get almost anything if you want it fried. The usage of the public transport is quite similar to our western system, although it seems not mentioned for foreigners, as everything is in chinese and not quite readable for us. Another thing I noticed is that everyone is making selfies all the time, not even feeling a bit ashamed.

We also visited some touristic sights like the national palace museum. The strange thing is that you see almost no tourists, only chinese. I am still amazed by the organized traffic in comparison with other countries in Asia.

This weekend we went to Sun Moon Lake, which was a beautiful experience. I found it really odd that you should even bargain about the price of your hotel. Here as well, all people go cycling, which I just love. I do find it kind of strange that the youbikes are such a success but there is almost no place in the road for cyclists.

I learned here that there is a big difference between Taiwan and China, and that still the people are searching for their identity and everyone has a different opinion. I also learned about this in class which was really interesting.

Overall , I have had an amazing week, of which I loved meeting new people and exploring Taipei most. This is a city in which you feel at home quite fast.

2014_01_Maaike Wit

* Full Name: Maaike Wit 
* University/ Institute: Netherlands Asia Honours Summer School (NAHSS)     
* Nationality: Netherlands

Through the Netherlands Asia Honours Summer School (NAHSS), I had the unique opportunity to study at NCCU and experience everything Taiwan has to offer in the summer of 2014. Together with twenty other Dutch student I have tried to learn and see as much as possible. The buddy's from the university were very helpful and showed us a lot during the cultural excursions in and around Taipei.  Because all the international students are staying at the International House, it is very easy to meet new people from all over the world. On every floor there is a common living room and the area around the campus is small enough to run in to each other every now and then. In the weekends, we have visited Fulong Beach and the Sun Moon Lake. Company visits were also part of the NAHSS program. It was a great experience to see how Taiwan has economically grown and has become a word player in for example the bike industry. I can recommend a stay at the NCCU and the island of Taiwan to everyone, it is a chance of a life time!

The Photo Gallery of 2014 NCCU ISS

Please feel free to click the following links to browse the photos about 2014 ISS activities:

1. 2014.06.29: NCCU I-House Accommodation Check-In

2. 2014.06.30: Morning Orientation

3. 2014.07.03: Taipei Excursion (1) - Yangmingshan National Park, Shilin Official Residence & National Palace Museum

4. 2014.07.10: Taipei Excursion (2) - Longshan Temple, Chiang Kai-She Memorial Hall & Museum of Cake and Pastry

5. 2014.07.17: Taipei Excursion (3) - Presidential Office Building of R.O.C., Botanical Garden, and Yingge Ceramic Museum 

6. 2014.07.24: Taipei Excursion (4) - See-Join Puppet Theater & Puppet DIY

7. 2014.07.09 & 16: Workshop of Chinese Calligraphy

8. Class Photos:

(1) Sustainability in Taiwan and East Asia (9 a.m. – 12 p.m./ Mon. – Wed./ Jul. 01 – 09)

(2) Knowledge Based Economy and Multiculturalism (9 a.m. – 12 p.m./ Mon. – Wed./ Jul. 01 – 09)

(3) Culture, History, and Politics of Art in Taiwan (2 p.m. – 5 p.m./ Mon. – Wed./ Jul. 01 – 09)

(4) Cross Strait Enterprise Development (2 p.m. – 5 p.m./ Mon. – Wed./ Jul. 01 – 09)

(5) Globalization and National Development: Its Social, Economic, and Political Perspectives in Asia (9 a.m. – 12 p.m./ Mon. – Wed./ Jul. 14 – 23)

(6) International Business – Merging the Western and Eastern Perspective on Doing Business Internationally (9 a.m. – 12 p.m./ Mon. – Wed./ Jul. 14 – 23)

(7) Political, Social, and External Relations of East Asian Countries (2 p.m. – 5 p.m./ Mon. – Wed./ Jul. 14 – 23)

(8) Principles of Management (2 p.m. – 5 p.m./ Mon. – Wed./ Jul. 14 – 23)

2014 NCCU International Summer School (ISS)

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 2014 NCCU ISS provides you with both intensive Mandarin Chinese learning and 8 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 as well; you will be taken to the most significant cultural and historical attractions in the Greater Taipei areas. So make your 2014 summer meaningful and unforgettable, come to NCCU to enhance your knowledge in international business, culture, economics, politics, history, 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.

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/14summerschool/

The Photo Gallery of 2013 NCCU ISS

Please feel free to click the following links to browse the photos about 2013 ISS: 

1. 2013.06.30：NCCU I-House Accommodation Check-In
 
2. 2013.07.01：Morning Orientation

3. 2013.07.04：Taipei Excursion (1) - Yingge Pottery Town, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, etc

4. 2013.07.11：Taipei Excursion (2) - National Palace Museum, Shilin Official Residence, etc

5. 2013.07.10 & 17：Workshop of Chinese Calligraphy

6. 2013.07.18：Taipei Excursion (3) - Office of the President, Huashan 1914 Creative Park, etc

7. 2013.07.25：Taipei Excursion (4) - Taipei Zoo, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, Taipei 101, etc

8. Class Photos:

(1) Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship (9 a.m. – 12 p.m./ Jul. 2 – 10)

(2) Sustainability in Taiwan and East Asia (9 a.m. – 12 p.m./ Jul. 2 – 10)

(3) Cross Strait Enterprise Development (2 p.m. – 5 p.m./ Jul. 2 – 10)

(4) Introduction to Supply Chain Management (2 p.m. – 5 p.m./ Jul. 2 – 10)

(5) Foreign Policy and Society in Taiwan and East Asia (9 a.m. – 12 p.m./ Jul. 15 – 24)

(6) Modern Art in Taiwan and East Asia (9 a.m. – 12 p.m./ Jul. 15 – 24)

(7) Knowledge Based Economy and Multiculturalism (9 a.m. – 12 p.m./ Jul. 15 – 24)

(8) Principles of Management (2 p.m. – 5 p.m./ Jul. 15 – 24)

(9) Globalization & National Development, Its Social, Economic & Political Perspectives in Asia        (2 p.m. – 5 p.m./ Jul. 15 – 24)

2013_04_Julia Maria Kern

* Full Name: Julia Maria Kern
* University/ Institute: Leiden University    
* Nationality: Netherlands  

My name is Julia Kern and this summer I joined the NCCU summer school in Taipei, Taiwan. I barely can describe what a beatiful and wonderful experience this is. This is for sure the best decision I’ve ever made and I will shortly share some of myexperieces with you.

The first moment I arrived at the I-house, the dormitory where al the international students stay this 6 weeks, I immediately felt welcomed. The crew is really friendly and kind. Already the first day I met somany new people! Everyone is in the same situation and that really creates a strong connection. On monday we had our introduction day, and I really want to compliment the organisation. Everything was planned out so well, and the crew really wants us to feel like at home. In the afternoon I made a placement test for my Chinese course, so I’m with people in class who have the same level of Chinese.

Every week in the morning from 9 a.m. till 12 p.m. I have a business course. In the afternoom from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. I have Chinese Class. The subjects are really interesting, and the professors are really friendly and kind. Also, Chinsese class is a lot of fun! We only have courses form Monday to Thursday, wich give us a 3 days a week free to spend!

I did a lot of great things in the weekend. For example, me and a couple of friends shired motor bikes and went to Hualien and Taroko National Park. That was definitely one of the highlights during my stay. Another weekend we went visiting all the museums and memmorial places of Taipei, a must see.

But not only during the weekends, also after classes we went to Taipei to visit for example of a night market, or went on top of Taipei 101. The public transportation in Taipei is really convenient and that makes it even easierto go to a lot of different places.

I am really happy that NCCU gives us enough free time to discover Taiwan. In my eyes, Taiwan is so far the most beatiful country I’ve ever been to. Not only nature, but also culture. The people here are extremly kind. Even though some of them can’tspeak English, they will find a way to help you .

Going to Taiwan is the best decisionI’ve ever made. I can’t believe this is already the last week and thinking about leaving makes me sad. But it also motivates me more to travel the world and discover new places, people and culture. I would like to thank NCCU for this beautiful opportunity and organisation. Especially toAllen Chen, the project coordinator.

Wonderful excursion organised by NCCU ISS

Eating diner at Taipei 101

Beautiful view of Taipei from Elephant mountain

With my friends at Taroka National Park

With my friend and buddy at Yangmingshan National Park

2013_03_Iva Adamová

* Full Name: Iva Adamová
* University/ Institute: Masaryk University   
* Nationality: Czech Republic 

AMAZING TAIWAN EXPERIENCE

If somebody had told me half a year ago that I would spend my summer in the lovely island on the other side of the globe, I wouldn’t have believed him. However, since I found out that there was a possibility to participate at Summer School at NCCU which was the partner university of my „alma mater“ in Brno, Czech Republic, I have immediatelly fallen in love with the idea about studying, travelling and broadening my horizons in Taiwan. Few months went by and here I am!

I had never been to Asia before so I was very excited about my „Taiwanese adventure“. And after three weeks of my stay in Taipei I must say that the reality is even better than all my dreams and expectations. I have so many experiences to share, so many stories to tell, so many impressions to describe that I could write a book! But even though I have always wanted to be a writer, it is actually quite difficult to make other people understand what we are living here – it is a pure enthusiasm for exploring this wonderfull place and its culture. And much more than that! Gaining experience. Developping oneself.  Meeting amazing friends and living in a multicultural environment. Hanging out with the Taiwanese buddies who are the kindest people on the planet, sharing, studying, travelling. Seeing the world from the different point of view.  I am amazed every day and I cannot fall asleep at night because of excitement. The time passes so fast here but on the other hand, I have already seen so many places, tasted so many kinds of food and met so many new friends that it feels much longer. I think you could spend a half of your life in Taiwan and still have a lot of places to see and things to do. This stay has been actually very inspiring and motivating for me: I am thinking about learning Chinese because I would love to understand local people and their culture. I am sure that travelling is the best kind of education you can ever get and I believe that I will return back soon.

I would like to thank you for the possibility to participate at NCCU Summer School in Taiwan. Special thanks for the smooth organisation and kindness belong to the project coordinator, Allen Chen. Coming here has been one of the best decisions I could have made. Hope to see you all soon again!

Our group of international students in Din Tai Fung restaurant

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

   Elephant Mountain and its beautiful view

Wulai waterfalls