Taiwan: The Gateway to Asia
January 9, 2019
The island-nation of Taiwan offers highly ranked education, convenient public transportation, a focus on the environment and energy, world-renowned street food, and a high quality of living. Undergraduate students can participate in a semester abroad exchange at Feng Chia University in the city of Taichung where they can take business courses taught in English, Chinese language, and Asian studies courses. Students can also participate in the Taiwan Experience Education Program in the summer at National Chao Tung University. Each summer, Tina Chao, Program Chair of Chapman’s Chinese Language Program leads the Chinese, Culture and Society summer Travel Course. Taiwan is an ideal place to learn Mandarin and students have a great opportunity to learn about Taiwan’s, history, culture, and geopolitical position in the region and world.
Juniors and seniors can apply for a post-graduation Fulbright Grant, a competitive program administered by the U.S. Department of State, for a fully funded one-year teaching, research, or graduate school in Taiwan. Juniors and seniors can visit the Center for Undergraduate Excellence for more information.
Twenty-two students from Taiwan are earning their degrees at Chapman. In addition, Chapman is hosting two exchange students from National Chiao Tung University and one exchange student from Feng Chia University this spring semester. These students help enrich the Chapman campus both academically and through student engagement.
Chapman University’s connection to Taiwan started as a partnership with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) of Los Angeles to cooperate on educational initiatives. Jodi Hicks, assistant director of overseas programs at the Center for Global Education, was awarded the Fulbright International Education Administrators Seminar Grant in March 2018 in Taiwan to visit 12 universities, have briefings with government officials, and tours of historical and cultural sites. Chapman hosts various Taiwan cultural events throughout the year as part of the Gateway to Taiwan initiative. Join Chapman in celebrating the Chinese New Year on February 19, 2019 in Attallah Piazza with a lantern festival in conjunction with the Study Abroad Fair.
With Chapman’s goals of internationalizing the campus and curriculum, the relationships and areas for connection between Chapman, TECO, Fulbright, and Taiwan higher education are endless areas for future collaborations.
Upcoming Taiwanese Events at Chapman
Lantern Festival and Study Abroad Fair: February 19, 2019, Attallah Piazza, 10-2 p.m.
Taiwanese Cultural Fair: April 11, 2019, Attallah Piazza, TBA
Dance Performance Celebrating Taiwanese-American Heritage Week: TBA