Taiwan
Summer 2025
Through Clemson University, I had the opportunity to study abroad at Chung Yuan Christian University in Taoyuan, Taiwan. Located just outside the capital city of Taipei, the university offered my classmates and me the chance to travel frequently and explore on weekends. The summer program was divided into two sessions. In the first session, my mornings began with individual tutoring, followed by a language lecture taught by a Taiwanese professor from Chung Yuan Christian University. In the afternoons, I attended a Chinese business communication course led by one of my professors from Clemson University. During the second session, I spent the first half of each day working for Shuang-Lian Pears Corporation (see Internship tab) in the university’s business building. In the afternoons, I took a cultural studies course with another Clemson professor and continued meeting with my tutor once or twice a week.
Outside of class, I explored various cities across Taiwan, including Taipei, New Taipei, Kaohsiung, Kenting, Tainan, Taichung, Longtan, and Miaoli, my favorite trip being to Jiufen. I engaged in a range of cultural activities such as releasing lanterns, visiting temples (notably Fo Guang Shan), attending the Dragon Boat Festival, hiking, exploring museums, taking a boat ride on Sun Moon Lake, and even cliff jumping in Jiufen. I also enjoyed sampling diverse regional cuisines, visiting both modern and traditional medical offices, and experiencing Taiwan’s vibrant markets and street culture. On campus, I attended concerts, visited club pop-up stands, and participated in an English camp where students creatively turned language learning into a Monopoly-themed activity. Additionally, I had the opportunity to engage with students from Chung Yuan Christian University, visit a local high school (DYSH) for cultural exchange discussions, and teach at a middle school (DLJH), where I introduced aspects of American culture, including landmarks, holidays, and traditions.
​
Overall, this experience was deeply enriching and significantly enhanced my understanding of Chinese language and culture. Below is the link to the essay that explores my study abroad journey in greater depth.