My name is Dave, I am the youngest child in my family. I came from a city in Indonesia called Manado which is located in the North Sulawesi province of Indonesia. I am a Chinese Indonesian. I am 19 years old this year. My hobbies are playing musical instruments especially drums and do some sports activities.

1. What made you decide to study in Taiwan?

Because Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for us who really want to learn Mandarin, and also Taiwan has a good standard of education. We also can see that Taiwan has developed so much such as in its technology, environments, and especially its education.  In addition, one of the significant reason of why many foreign students who want to study in China prefer Taiwan for them to either study mandarin or even universities is that Taiwan has better environment [less pollution] than the Mainland China, and also Taiwan is safer than the Mainland China.

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

I am studying in the Department of Food Science. In the present, we are studying about several basic sciences and basic food science.  I really enjoy to eat and do some culinary activities. That is why  I really enjoy learning about foods, such as what ingredients or materials that are present inside the food, and how is the process of certain foods and much more.

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)

Studying in Taiwan requires us to deal with mandarin in every aspect of our education; while, in my country, we use our own language. The teaching quality is better than the one in our own country, it is because of several factors such as the quality of the teachers, Taiwan’s standard education, etc. Most of Taiwan’s   teachers are graduated from good schools with at least graduated from masters or doctoral degrees; in the other hand, some of the teachers in my country are only graduated from bachelor degrees. The environment also has a specific different especially in group studies because you will need to use mandarin, and also in some cases is the different culture between the two countries. However, the equipment is almost the same with the one in our country including the laboratory and sports hall, even though it depends on which school or universities and whether it is own by the government or private.

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

I think the regulations for foreign students such as the completion of some health vaccines is one of the most difficult parts about applying to study in Taiwan. Because the vaccines should not be taken in some random clinics. They should be taken in certain clinics that have been assigned by the Taiwan representative government in Indonesia. I overcame the difficulty by following their rules and regulations even though it was a big deal for me since I need to go to other cities in order to fulfill their health requirements.

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

Actually, I have no any specific plan yet since I am still new in Taiwan, however, I might consider it as soon as possible. After I finish my study in Taiwan, I would stay in Taiwan only if I get any good opportunities in Taiwan such as a good job or other things.

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

I think things that I got when studying in Taiwan that I will not probably get if I study in other countries are the benefit for me in my future career, such as the language ability [Mandarin]. I think it would make me easier when I engage with some Chinese people in my future career because I can communicate with them in Mandarin.

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

I think HARD-WORKING is the key achievement when studying in Taiwan.

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

My advice is that they should prepare themselves for several changes, especially in their social life. Since in Taiwan they should know how to speak Chinese; therefore, I suggest them to take several Mandarin Classes before they will come to Taiwan. Also, they should be hard-working students so they can get good results in their studies in Taiwan.