United States of America
I definitely see a career for myself in Taiwan. Being here has made me want to stay and work, and dive into the professional world here.
Learning Mandarin was one of the biggest influences in coming to Taiwan. Beyond the language, I also loved the natural beauty of the island, as well as the vibrant culture and the warm nature of the people here.
When deciding where to study, I chose Taipei Tech because I had actually done a program with them before and I loved everything about it. The school has a great relationship with my home university, NJIT, which made the transition seamless. On top of that, it is a great technology school, and receiving a scholarship for learning Mandarin was a massive plus that finalized my decision.
My desire to learn Mandarin was the biggest influence in enrolling in this specific program. However, as an information technology undergraduate, I also researched the curriculum deeply and discovered many classes in IT that caught my eye—especially digital forensics.
Balancing my major with language learning hasn't been without its hurdles. I think speaking is the most challenging part of learning Mandarin. Fortunately, the resources provided by the university are exceptional. The Mandarin classes offered by CTCL are a great resource for anyone who wants to learn basic Mandarin. The administration at CTCL, and the staff in general, are very hands-on and supportive. More than just teaching the language, they are very helpful in integrating Mandarin into daily life as well.
If I had to describe Taipei Tech in just three words, I would say it is far more exciting, promising, and life-changing than you might think.
During my time here, I have actively participated in my Mandarin classes and taken part in numerous cultural exchange events. All of the cultural experiences they organize are just great, providing a well-rounded experience outside of my standard IT coursework.
Looking toward the future, the university has offered workshops for international students to find work or other opportunities. Attending these has really opened up my options for where I would want to work post-graduation.
My time studying here has completely shaped my career aspirations. I definitely see a career for myself in Taiwan. Being here has made me want to stay and work, and dive into the professional world here.
