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National Chengchi University

Taiwan 2021/2022 Partner universities

Personal data
Mobility type:
study

Faculty at MU:
Faculty of Arts

Field of study:
International Territorial Studies / Culture Studies of China

Level of study during period of placement:
Bachelor

Language used:
Chinese

Summer/winter school?:
no

Period of studies:
autumn 2021

Period of placement (from-to):
2021-09-13 - 2022-01-31

Number of months:
5

Activities before my departure abroad
Where can information be found about courses taught at the foreign school?:
I was sent information via email, but the information can also be found on the school's website.

Which documents were needed for acceptance at the foreign university?:
Transcript of records, motivation letter

How far ahead did you have to organise your acceptance?:
5 months

Did you need a visa?:
- choose option -

Documents and materials needed for a visa:

Length of wait for visa:

Fee for the visa:

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, I had general information, and I finished consulting the specifics during first few weeks of my study abroad.

During your stay did you change your Learning Agreement?:
Yes, there was a change in a course I needed to record.

When and how did course registration take place? Are there any restrictions? Possibilities of making changes?:
The course selection began online two weeks before the start of semester. Because I didn't actually arrive in Taiwan, I was restricted to online courses only, the list was provided to me via email. It was possible to make changes multiple times thorough semester, and I took advantage of these opportunities to drop a course.

Did you take any examinations at the foreign school?:
Yes, I took two midterm exams, and two final exams.

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

If not then explain how the credits there were recalculated into ECTS:
The school provided a conversion method, and my department has its own method of converting credit values.

Describe the teaching methods (theory, practical and projects) and assessment of students:
I had two courses, Intensive Mandarin and Selected Reading of Modern Taiwanese Literature. My Intensive Mandarin class had very few students, the teacher utilized many different methods, for example we worked with Quizlet, where the teacher compiled vocabulary for us to learn and practice, we had practical homework focused on translation a practical use of language, we worked in pairs to practice textbook dialogues, and we also created our own dialogues, which we then presented to class. Every week the teacher prepared mock tests for practice, and we also took regular tests fairly often. We often played games to practice our speaking skills. Our teacher also explained grammar using many examples, and we practiced the grammar extensively. For my Literature class, every week we had a reading homework, we then discussed the assigned readings in groups, based on questions the teacher prepared, we then shared our findings with the rest of the class. The teacher also provided theoretical framework for the discussed works of literature. Every week we had a different topic, the students were divided into groups, and every group prepared a presentation based on the topic and assigned readings, part of the group prepared socio-historical background, the other analyzed the works.

Quality of teaching in comparison with home school:
Great, some of the best teachers I've ever had.

How did you receive study materials?:
Study materials for Intensive Mandarin were compiled in a Google Classroom, where we also handed in our homework. Study materials for Selected Readings were provided via Dropbox (both assigned readings, and teacher and student presentations).

Can you recommend an interesting course/subject/teacher?:
I highly recommend both of the courses I took.

How well is the school library equipped?:
Unfortunately I didn't have an opportunity to visit the library.

Availability of computers, internet access, level of software needed, requirements on notebook:
All the classes were online, so a good internet access was needed, as well as a fairly good computer.

Options from printing and copying:
Unfortunately I can't comment on that.

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

If yes then what?:
I didn't have an opportunity to attend any, but there were events held both on campus and online, many workshops and lectures from what I could see.

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

or describe in your own words:
Unfortunately I didn't have an opportunity to meet local students, because I wasn't actually there.

Practical questions on your placement
Where did you live?:
I was at home.

Cost of accommodation - monthly:
0 EUR

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

Describe the equipment. Tips for future students – what should they bring with them?:
I wasn't there.

How and how far ahead should accommodation be organised?:
I don't know.

What are the catering options?:
I don't know.

What are the rough costs of groceries (compare with Czech prices):
I don't know.

Transport to location of placement:
I don't know.

Rough prices for transportation:
I don't know.

Tips for purchasing cheap tickets and other recommendations:
I don't know.

What are the local transport options (public transport, cycling, on foot, rough prices):
I don't know.

What kind of formalities have to be arranged before arrival, for example residence permit?:
I don't know.

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?):
I didn't have to have an 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?:
I don't know.

Tips for free-time activities:
None, sorry.

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

Monthly grant in CZK:
0 CZK

Number of supported months:
0

Total number of months:
5

What other sources did you make use of to finance your placement?:
None.

If you received another grant, state which and how much in CZK:

 
Total fees associated with enrolment at the university:
0 CZK

a/ amount of enrolment fee:
0 CZK

b/ amount of tuition fees:
0 CZK

c/ amount of other fees (which):
0 CZK

 
What was your average monthly expenditure?:
0 CZK

a/ of which for accommodation:
0 CZK

b/ of which for catering:
0 CZK

c/ travel and recreation:
0 CZK

Any comments to the average monthly expenditure:
It cost me nothing, I was at home. The university didn't require any fees.

Recognition of foreign studies at the home faculty
How many credits did you gain during your studies (in the system of the foreign school)?:
15

How many ECTS credits were recognised at MU?:
20

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

What problems did you have with recognition?:
None

Overall assessment
Assessment of personal benefit (1 = excellent):
5

Assessment of academic benefit (1 = excellent):
5

Evaluate the information and support provided by the foreign school (1 = excellent):
5

Did you encounter any serious problems during your stay:
No, the school provided all information, the staff answered all my questions quickly and clearly, I think their organization is excellent, the communication as well.

What would you recommend to take with you:
I am not really in a position to recommend anything, sorry.

What most surprised you at the partner university in a positive way:
The organization and the teachers. Both excellent.

What most surprised you at the partner university in a negative way:
The Selected Readings course was supposed to be in English, but ended up being partly in Chinese, due to high amount of Taiwanese students enrolled. However, the presentations and readings were all in English, and every time a student couldn't express their thoughts in English, the teacher tried her best to translate for me and the other foreign student there. So although the theoretical background provided by the teacher was mostly in Chinese, I had no problems following along.

Further comments: