Perceptions of Students

Thailand

Aorachorn Jarat


University
Shih Chien University
Major
International trade


I’m from Thailand. I can speak four languages are Khmer, Laos, Thai, and English. I am a junior and currently studying a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Management, major in International Business (International Program) with GPA 3.48 at Mahasarakham University, Thailand. I’m an exchange student at Shih Chien University for only one semester in ETP department.



1. What made you decide to study in Taiwan?



I always ask myself why I decided to study in Taiwan and now I got the answers, Taiwan does not only have good universities but also is a peaceful country with very friendly people to visitors from other countries, high-standard living quality, lifestyle of convenience and easy and safe to go around the country with the availability of trains, buses and taxis. Moreover, the Taiwanese society is egalitarian with the people being warm, making it very easy to fit in, therefore I call Taiwan, ‘my home away from home.’



2. Briefly tell us about the program you are studying. What subjects are you studying? What have you enjoyed the most in your studies?



International business majors learn how to think globally about the business world and also learn how to manage multinational businesses and turn local and national companies into international success stories.



My subjects are studying there are the followings; cross-cultural communication and management, international economic relations and development, international business strategy, intercultural management, international financial management, beginning Chinese, independent studies, Chinese culture and communication, and basic Chinese.



I really enjoyed the Chinese language, it had many activities that I can do with friends. I had the chance to converse with foreigner friends and also practices to speak Chinese at the same time. We teach to each other for some words that we did not know how to pronunciation. I realize that Chinese is very important language and it's not hard to learn. Now I'm falling in love Chinese and I want to speak fluently.



3. How is studying in Taiwan when compared to studying and being a student in your home country? (Teaching Quality、Environment、School Equipment、Laboratory or others)



When compared to studying in Taiwan and Thailand, it has several things that kind of differences. First of all, I think in each country have the teaching quality differently, in Taiwan teachers will emphasize students to learn by themselves, not too strict and pressure on students. But in Thailand, teachers are very strict for teaching, give a lot of homework to do and also have makeup classes on weekend. Second, the environment in Taiwan better than Thailand whether are temperature, cleanness, orderliness, and atmosphere. Last, school equipment and laboratory in Taiwan are pretty modern, easy to use, convenient, and fully equipped more than Thailand.



4. What has been the most difficult part about applying to study in Taiwan? How did you overcome the difficulty?



The most difficult part for me is choosing subjects for study because of some subjects at Shih Chien university pretty differences at my university.  I am very serious because of I want credits to transfer to my university in Thailand if I do not get credits I will not graduate on time.



I can overcome this difficult by always remind myself that even though I do not get credits and cannot graduate on time, it not a big deal though. In the other hand, I get experiences, friends, relationships, and several things that cannot buy with money and it's worth the time to waste.



5. What do you plan to do after you have finish your studies in Taiwan? Would you like to stay in Taiwan?  Why?



After I have finished my studies in Taiwan I have plans to stay here for a week to travel and learn more culture. And after I go back to Thailand I will find scholarships come to learn Chinese in Taiwan in order to can listening, speaking, writing, and reading fluently.



Sure, I would like to stay in Taiwan. My first day that I arrived here I met with culture shock whether are foods, weather, and lifestyle. The first week I cried, and really want to go back home but nowadays I’m falling in love Taiwan. I just love the countryside, places, people foods, atmosphere and everything about Taiwan. I don't want to leave from here if it’s possible I want to stay here forever.



6. How do you think studying in Taiwan can benefit you in your future career?



Since I have been starting study Chinese in Taiwan, I realized that Chinese is an important language in the world and if I have the ability to speak Chinese I will have a good future and also enhance the opportunities to advance in working and doing business with the Chinese people in the future.



7. What do you see as your key achievements when studying in Taiwan?



I think my key achievement when studying in Taiwan are can listening, speaking, reading, writing and communicate fluently in Chinese.  Learning Chinese is like practice meditation and patience because learning any language cannot be learned in a single day. Therefore, I have to rely on effort and patience. By the way, I feel that Chinese is easier than English because Thai and Chinese are very similar.



8. What advice do you have for other interested overseas students who want to come to Taiwan to study?



Taiwan is a mixture of mainland China and Japan. The language was spoken, lifestyle, and culture similar China, but there is discipline, orderliness, and humility similar Japan. It very falls into place. In addition, Taiwan is a city that livable, comfortable, great atmosphere, friendly people and hospitable, and varied with food, culture, and places to sightseeing. If you choose to study in Taiwan, you will not be disappointed. I confirm. And If you have a problem and ask for help from Taiwanese people, they are ready to help you perfectly.



For example, my case I went to shopping at the mall and I do not know how to return my dorm. I decided to ask the guard, he could not speak English but he tried to help me fully. Although he told me the wrong way I was impressed that he did his best.