Workshop of the Student Exchange Program: Lived and Learning Experiences in the EBS University
The Workshop of the Student Exchange Program, organized by the College of Law, took place online on February 23rd. The event began with an opening remark made by Dr. Yan-Bin Lu about his reflection of pursuing a PhD degree at the University of Passau in Germany. The teaching assistant Yi-Fan Chen then introduced the application procedures of the Student Exchange Program of the College of Law. Lastly, Kai-Ting Hu and Yu-Han Chen shared their experiences as exchange students in the EBS University.
When an international exchange program and the pursuit of a foreign degree are both considered intriguing options by many students, Dr. Lu pointed out major differences between the two. “A degree-acquiring student is different from an exchange student. Studying for a degree feels a little bitter while participating in an exchange program seems relatively happy,” he commented with a sip of humor, “Although Germany is essential if one wants to delve into civil laws, other European cities or countries could be ideal study destinations because of their stunning scenery. Germany does not have to be the only choice if you are planning for an exchange program.”
“It is hard to measure the return on investment in studying abroad, but I do not regret my decision,” Dr. Lu stated clearly and elaborated further. An international student will probably encounter two significant challenges in pursuit of the PhD in Germany. The first challenge is language. A student has to pass the language proficiency test before admission, but it does not necessarily exempt one from language barriers when it comes to everyday communication. Intensive school requirements constitute the second challenge. Normally speaking, the university set up an extra class for foreigners when the number of international students reach a certain level. Dr. Lu’s university did not provide such learning environment for international students; therefore, he had to take courses and exams with local German students. Besides, it requires two written exams, three oral exams, and a master’s thesis for a student to acquire a master’s degree. The master’s graduate is then qualified to proceed to doctoral studies.
Yu-Han Chen was already acquainted with Germany and its culture before the Exchange Program to the EBS. She was an exchange student during high school, and has learned German at the NCCU Foreign Language Center. The course in International Business Laws was believed relevant to her career path; therefore, Chen thus decided to visit Germany through the Exchange Program during her senior year. “There are certain advantages of the Student Exchange Program. The competition is mild. The applicants’ qualifications are examined through documents. The applicants can apply for more than one school and do not have to prioritize,” she added, “Those who are interested in other schools from other countries are encouraged to look for more information on the website of the NCCU Law.”
Kai-Ting Hu’s background and circumstances are different. She was a member of the Youth Association of International Conferences. Even though she did not speak German at all, her high proficiency in English still won her a place in the Exchange Program. Hu also revealed what has been motivating her to seize the exchange opportunity. On one hand, the courses in the EBS were intriguing. On the other hand, she wanted to “become more than a traditional legal professional.”
Chen and Hu shared their experiences in Germany from the aspects of food, clothing, housing, transportation, education, and entertainment. They also interacted with participants during the Q&A session, which led to a fulfilling closing of the event.