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National Chengchi University

Taiwan 2023/2024 Partner universities

Personal data
Mobility type:
study

Faculty at MU:
Faculty of Social Studies

Field of study:
International Relations (major) and Security and Strategic Studies (minor)

Level of study during period of placement:
Bachelor

Language used:
English

Summer/winter school?:
no

Period of studies:
spring 2024

Period of placement (from-to):
2024-02-03 - 2024-07-17

Number of months:
5

Activities before my departure abroad
Where can information be found about courses taught at the foreign school?:
https://qrysub.nccu.edu.tw/

Which documents were needed for acceptance at the foreign university?:
Statement of purpose
Transcript of records
Photo
......

How far ahead did you have to organise your acceptance?:
Deadline - 20th of October 2023 (I received more detailed information about the acceptation process in September)
Start of Semester - February 2024

Did you need a visa?:
yes

Documents and materials needed for a visa:
Official visa application https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw/BOCA_EVISA/home.do (General Visa Application), print it out and sign (for Category choose “visitor visa”; for Entry choose “single”)

2 passport size photographs (photo requirements: https://www.roc-taiwan.org/public/SK_en_visa/47231526571.jpg

Passport (valid at least for another 6 months upon entry)

Admission letter and the official document related to visa application issued by the University in Taiwan where you will study.

Reservation of flight ticket to and back from Slovakia to Taiwan

a copy of student card or other supporting document proving your enrollment at the university where you are currently studying

Length of wait for visa:
1 day

Fee for the visa:
95eur

Studies
Did you have a Learning Agreement signed before your departure?:
yes

If not, why not?:

Before your departure did you know how your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
yes

During your stay did you change your Learning Agreement?:
yes

When and how did course registration take place? Are there any restrictions? Possibilities of making changes?:
online, in january

possibilities of making changes in the first two weeks (?) of semester

Did you take any examinations at the foreign school?:
yes

Does the school use the ECTS system?:
- choose option -

If not then explain how the credits there were recalculated into ECTS:
ECTS = 2x their credit system
(30 ECTS = 15 credits at NCCU)

Describe the teaching methods (theory, practical and projects) and assessment of students:
lots of group projects, presentations

Quality of teaching in comparison with home school:
comparable

How did you receive study materials?:
online or by purchasing a book (because I was also taking mandarin chinese courses)

Can you recommend an interesting course/subject/teacher?:
I only took the Intensive mandarin chinese course + one more course related to my major (Big Picture), so I am not sure

How well is the school library equipped?:
Great library, newly built, architecturally appealing, with audio rooms, nintendo switch rooms, recording studios, ...

Availability of computers, internet access, level of software needed, requirements on notebook:
great, but having your own notebook is required

Options from printing and copying:
easily accessible (convenience stores, libraries)

Does the foreign school/student organisation arrange special events for exchange students?:
yes

If yes then what?:
orientation day, field trips throughout the semester

How would you assess your integration with the local students (evaluation like in school from 1 to 5 with 1 as highest):
3

or describe in your own words:

Practical questions on your placement
Where did you live?:
international house

Cost of accommodation - monthly:
270 EUR

Additional comments to the price of accommodation (as to what the price includes):
includes everything

Describe the equipment. Tips for future students – what should they bring with them?:
power plug adapters (Taiwan uses a different type of power plug)

it was possible to borrow hairdryers or irons from the reception

How and how far ahead should accommodation be organised?:
During the application process you will be given the option to choose where you want to live, then in december the results are announced (the capacity at international house is very limited)

What are the catering options?:
Kitchen on each floor, however it is much more convenient to buy food outside

What are the rough costs of groceries (compare with Czech prices):
similar, however diary products much more expensive

Transport to location of placement:
Airport > Main Station (by MRT) > NCCU iHouse (by Roosevelt bus line - Taipei Zoo)

the accommodation is located close to the campus

Rough prices for transportation:
50cents per ride (15ntd)

Tips for purchasing cheap tickets and other recommendations:
purchase an easycard from any convenience store, you can use it for transport

What are the local transport options (public transport, cycling, on foot, rough prices):
Bus, MRT

you can register your easycard for shared bike services (you bike) - first 30 minutes are free

Taipei is a large city but easy to walk around and navigate too

Taxi (Uber) prices are fairly cheap

What kind of formalities have to be arranged before arrival, for example residence permit?:
I only needed VISA and a medical check (confirmation of certain vaccines)

What health insurance did you use? (rough price, advantages, disadvantages, is it necessary to arrange insurance at the university other than your home (Czech) insurance?):
Travel insurance

Did you have any experience with medical treatment abroad?:
No

Did you work during your studies?:
No

What are the conditions for working for MU students?:
Have to stay for more than one semester I believe

Tips for free-time activities:
There is a lot of nature around the campus and Taipei (Yangminshan, Beitou, Xiangshan, Maokong, Tamsui) which are worth exploring, the northern coast of Taiwan is really beautiful (Keelung, Jiufen, Shifen, Yilan)

Financial support and expenses
Total grant from Centre for International Cooperation:
80000 CZK

Monthly grant in CZK:
20000 CZK

Number of supported months:
4

Total number of months:
5

What other sources did you make use of to finance your placement?:
Financial support from parents
Grant from the Faculty of Social Studies (40 000 CZK)
Saved up money

If you received another grant, state which and how much in CZK:
Grant from the Faculty of Social Studies (40 000 CZK)

 
Total fees associated with enrolment at the university:
100 TWD

a/ amount of enrolment fee:
100 TWD

b/ amount of tuition fees:
0

c/ amount of other fees (which):
0

 
What was your average monthly expenditure?:
35000 CZK

a/ of which for accommodation:
7000 CZK

b/ of which for catering:
10000 CZK

c/ travel and recreation:
18000 CZK

Any comments to the average monthly expenditure:
It is possible to spend a lot less money (eating outside is fairly cheap unless you go to proper "western" style restaurants with waiters).

monthly gym membership is around 1000czk

Recognition of foreign studies at the home faculty
How many credits did you gain during your studies (in the system of the foreign school)?:
12

How many ECTS credits were recognised at MU?:
24

Did you know in advance which of your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
yes

What problems did you have with recognition?:
no problems so far

Overall assessment
Assessment of personal benefit (1 = excellent):
1

Assessment of academic benefit (1 = excellent):
3

Evaluate the information and support provided by the foreign school (1 = excellent):
1

Did you encounter any serious problems during your stay:
no

What would you recommend to take with you:
power plug adapters

more summer clothes (it was colder only for the first month, and it got warm really quickly, I did not get to use most of my clothes)

What most surprised you at the partner university in a positive way:
the surroundings are fairly cheap and the nature is beautiful, its also very calm

What most surprised you at the partner university in a negative way:
very far away from the city centre

Further comments: