Exchange Student from U.S. Law School: Unique and Unforgettable Learning Experience at NCCU

  • 2024-10-01
  • 陳一帆

"Taiwan is an underrated East Asian country! When people talk about traveling to East Asia, they often think of Japan or South Korea, but I believe Taiwan is an absolute must-see." Garett, an exchange student from the University of Maryland School of Law, couldn’t stop praising his experience in Taiwan after spending a semester at National Chengchi University (NCCU). The young law student was not only impressed by urban life in Taipei but also gave high marks to the internationalized educational environment at NCCU.

First Impressions of Taiwan: A Pleasant Surprise

Garett admitted that before coming to Taiwan, his knowledge of the country was limited to its cuisine and international news concerning tensions with China. “I had heard that Taiwan has lots of delicious food and knew some international news about Taiwan’s relations with China, but I wasn’t really familiar with the country,” he said. However, his impressions completely changed once he arrived in Taipei. "I really love Taipei. It’s such an exciting and vibrant city. The public transportation is convenient, the food is amazing, life is safe, and the nightlife is fun."
Garett particularly highlighted Taipei’s public transportation system, stating that it’s much more convenient than in many large U.S. cities. “Even when there’s traffic, I can choose to take the MRT, which is not an option in many American cities,” he noted. Additionally, he was struck by Taiwan’s natural environment, saying, “I enjoy hiking, and the variety of national parks and hiking trails in Taiwan amazed me. It’s something I didn’t expect before coming here.”

A Warm Welcome

Garett also shared some of his memorable interactions with local people. "When I first arrived at NCCU, a student I didn’t know offered to help me check in and even carried my luggage to my dorm!" he recounted. "Taiwanese people are always willing to go the extra mile to communicate, which is very different from my experiences in other countries." Despite not speaking Mandarin, Garett didn’t find language to be much of a barrier in Taiwan. "Even when there’s a language gap and we have to rely on gestures, Taiwanese people are very patient and willing to help. This is quite different from what I’ve experienced in France, where people can sometimes be unfriendly if you don’t speak the local language."

A Unique Learning Experience at NCCU

Garett was also impressed by his academic experience at NCCU. He pointed out that the teaching style at the College of Law is similar to that in the U.S., but with smaller class sizes, offering more opportunities for interaction with professors. "The professors are all very friendly and always willing to help, ensuring I had a great experience both in and out of the classroom." He particularly appreciated that many of his professors had studied abroad, which added a more diverse and international perspective to the learning experience. "The professors are very respectful of students and easy to communicate with, which is something that doesn’t happen as often in U.S. law schools due to larger class sizes and busier professors."
Since his home university didn’t recognize credits from Mandarin courses, Garett mostly enrolled in foreign language-taught courses. In his classes, he studied alongside Taiwanese students looking to improve their English as well as exchange students from around the world. He found this aspect particularly rewarding: "It’s really great to have the chance to study with people from different countries. There are students from Japan, France, Germany, and many other places. This multicultural learning environment is incredibly valuable." Garett also expressed gratitude for the support he received from the College of Law staff, who were always ready to assist whenever he had questions or needed help, making his campus life smoother.

Cultural Challenges and Unforgettable Experiences

Of course, living in Taiwan came with some challenges. Garett mentioned that the most difficult things for him to adjust to were the occasional appearance of large spiders, the heat, and earthquakes. "The spiders are really big, and the weather is very hot, which took some getting used to. There was also a big earthquake this year, and I was in bed when it happened—it really scared me," he admitted. However, he emphasized that these challenges didn’t diminish his love for Taiwan. "In fact, these challenges made my exchange experience even more memorable and unique."

Advice for Future Exchange Students

For students considering an exchange to Taiwan, Garett’s advice is to keep an open mind and be willing to try new things. "You should participate in all the major events, join all the Line groups, and meet as many people as you can. You usually only get one chance to study abroad, so make the most of it." He particularly emphasized the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone. "Don’t be afraid to do things that might feel uncomfortable at first, because in the end, these experiences will become valuable memories."