OMG! The Best International Experience Ever!

Experience is what a person’s been through, encounters, or lives through (Albarracin, Johnson, Zanna, & Kumkale, 2005) and consists of not only sensory cognition's, but also processes of interaction with people from different cultures (Rogoff, 2003).

I am a visiting student at the National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. I am a master's degree engineering student in the Philippines at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. When I was young, I truly wanted to study abroad, however, for the cause, that I am a product of a poverty-afflicted family, I told myself, it will in no way gonna happen. Be that as it may, genuinely astonishing, I got an unforeseen gift. Last October 15, 2019, Taiwan Ministry of Education opens the entryway of a chance for me to participate in their Taiwan Experience Education Program (MOE, 2019). MOE gives me a four (4) month education program from October 2019 to February 2020. The International Graduate Program of Education and Human Development, of NSYSU, expanded the length of the said program, they give me an extra two (2) months from February 2020 to April 2020.

My international experience is very memorable and unforgettable. Genuinely, the experience can't be paid by any amount of money. I encountered a great deal here in Taiwan.

Teaching

I got the opportunity to experience Teaching. Teaching isn't unfamiliar to me as I satisfactorily completed my additional professional education courses in the Philippines. Alongside my TEEP, I teach Elementary, Junior High School, and Senior High School students in one of the primary and secondary schools in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. It's a mind-boggling experience, and I enjoyed helping the teachers in delivering and conveying the lessons that hone my aptitudes further as an educator. I had an excellent chance of engaging in English immersion and a unique and remarkable experience of Taiwanese lifestyle and passion. In my teaching, a lot of experiences gave me lessons. The different experiments and activities we made inside the class amidst the transformation of behavior and characters mold us to work collaboratively and evaluate each ability and capacities. The hilarity of my students proved to me that in every problem, there is a great solution. So don't stop and vex, instead, step up and grow for the attainment of your desires.

Research

I work with several pieces of research inside the university. This experience and learning broaden my understanding and knowledge of research methods, design, and analysis.

Brief information about the sponsor school: NSYSU

NSYSU is a comprehensive university in the south and named it "Sun Yat- sen University" in honor of Sun Yat-sen, the founder of the Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU, 2020). NSYSU was established in 1980 in Kaohsiung City and become one of the most promising universities in Taiwan. This university was my second home here in Taiwan, where my TEEP emerged. I am under the College of Social Science in the International Graduate Program of Education and Human Development (IGPEHD).

As an international visiting student, I happen to visit all the colleges that the school has. The National Sun Yat-sen University has six (6) colleges, to be specific:

• College of Engineering
• College of Liberal Arts
• College of Management
• College of Marine Sciences
• College of Science
• College of Social Sciences

If you want to know more detailed information about the National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU), you can check the link underneath.

Supposedly, I will be staying in an International Dorm, located in Wu Ling Road, inside the university. In any case, because the residence charge is very costly, I preferably picked the nearby quarters in Village 1, which is less expensive and suits my financial limit. Anyhow, I am receiving a monthly stipend, that can to some degree, support my costs living abroad. So I need to budget it wisely and smartly. The said month to month stipend meant given by the Ministry of Education.

Wu Ling is composed of one (1) International dorm and three (3) local dorm villages: Village 1, Village 2, and Village 4. In the international dorm, there are two (2) occupants per room, whereas the local dorm has four (4) occupants.

Inside our room in Village 1, 1st floor, Room 81006, we have the following:

• One (1) drawer (each occupant)
• One (1) sockets (each occupant)
• One (1) study fluorescent lamp (each occupant)
• One (1) internet port (each occupant)
• One (1) study table (each occupant)

Communal properties inside the dorm are as follows:

• One (1) air conditioner system (every room)
• Two (2) fluorescent lamps (every room)
• One (1) ceiling fan (every room)
• One (1) sink with a water source (every room)
• One (1) exhaust fan (every room)
• Two (2) ceiling fans (outside the hallway)
• One (1) water dispenser (hot & cold) (outside the hallway)
• Two (2) fluorescent lamps (outside the hallway)
• One (1) Laundry machine (washing area)
• Four (4) cubicle restroom with an extra spare room (restroom area)
• Three (3) cubicle for shower (shower area)

Dorm Policy:

These are the policy you need to abide by if you are an international visiting student at the National Sun Yat-sen University.

• If received three (3) times a warning, a student will mean withdrawing from the dorm.
• Lock the door and drawers when going out.
• Take good care of the student card and key.
• People who break the public properties have to compensate for the damage.
• NO drugs or gambling in the dorm.
• Check-out on time. If an extension is needed, the student must apply it two weeks before the due date.
• Clean the room before check-out.

Driving Inside the Campus

An International Driver License Permit or R.O.C Driver License is needed for driving in Taiwan.

If you want to know the more detailed information about about the convenient and efficient transportation construction of Highways and Vehicle Administration, you can check the link below:

For a safe driving:

• Wear a helmet!
• No drunk driving!!
• Follow the traffic rules!!!

Application for Parking Permit

If you want to apply for a Parking permit inside the school, you need to secure and provide the following relevant documents.

• A copy of scooter registration
• A copy of driver’s license
• A copy of Student I.D
• An emission test sheet of your scooter

Note: The fee: NT$ (TWD) 300

• Parking scooters outside the designated spaces is strictly prohibited!
• If your scooter is towed, an NT$ 300 fine shall be imposed.

General Codes in the NSYSU for Visiting Students

If you are a visiting student at the National Sun Yat-sen University, you need to comply with the preceding general codes.

1. Apply for a parking permit if you have scooters/vehicles.

• This does not apply to me as I don't have a scooter/vehicle.

2. Park your vehicle within designated parking spaces.

• You need to park, in the designated areas, there will be a fine of NT$ (TWD) 300.

3. Smoking strictly prohibited in ALL dorm and class areas.

• In my observation, students didn't follow this policy. I generally observe few students smoking inside the dorm. They open the glass window, then smoke. Others also stay outside the main door of the dormitory then smoke.

4. Students are NOT allowed to enter dormitories of the opposite gender, nor have overnight guests.

• This is strictly implemented, but in my observation, others didn't follow this policy. It's quite funny that men students suggest their friend (girl) wear a jacket with a hoodie to hide the identity of the girl.

5. Students are not allowed to swim in prohibited areas and where no lifeguards are on duty.

• When you enter the swimming pool area. The attendant will check first if they have available lifeguards on duty before you can enter the swimming pool. If you So far, I haven't experienced this. I am a good student, anyway.

7. A letter of notification will be sent to students home institution for those students who seriously and repeatedly violate NSYSU regulations.

• So far, I haven't experienced this. I am a good student, anyway.

8. Working without a work permit in Taiwan is strictly prohibited for foreigners.

• This is strictly implemented. As a foreign and international visiting student, I am not allowed to work inside and outside the campus.

WiFi Connection

WiFi connection in Taiwan is exceptional and excellent. I am stunned at how fast the connection. I cannot help myself to compare the internet connection of my country, which is the Philippines contrast with Taiwan.

Now the university has thirteen 11-Mbps and five 2-Mbps wireless access points covering the main campus. Employees and understudies in all offices can utilize notebooks with remote connectors to get to the Internet wherever in any division. In this way, they can utilize this remote system office for instructing and research.

Seminar and Conference

As an International Visiting student, I have the chance to participate in the Seminar and Conferences that the National Sun Yat-sen University organized.

1. 2019 Taiwan Education Research Association (TERA) Conference (November 21, 2019 - NSYSU Taiwan)

I did not expect that at this conference I will win the raffle draw. Luckily my name was chosen and won NT$ (TWD) 1000.

2. Learning Design with Technology in International Contexts in Taiwan (LDTICT)

3. Dr. Kevin Kester talk - The United Nations and Higher Education: Peacebuilding, Social Justice and Global Cooperation for the 21st Century (January 08, 2020)

4. Dr. Kevin Kester talk - Decolonizing Higher Education: Some Practical Examples from International and Intercultural Educators in Korea (January 09, 2020)

University Event

1. 21st Singing Contest in Chinese/Taiwanese for the Foreign Student

An this event, the grand champion is from the Philippines.

Facilities inside the campus

1. Post Office

2. Family Mart

3. Convenient Stores

4. Restaurants

I always eat in this restaurant whenever I am inside the campus. This restaurant offers a buffet-style. You can pick nourishment on your inclination. Inside the eatery are likewise various stalls where you can buy other foods or drinks. Each stall offers a different kind of foods.

5. E bike

I tried this e-bike one (1). You need to have an IPASS or ID for you to use the e-bike. Tap your IPASS or ID to get one (1) bike and park it to the nearest e-bike station to avoid overcharge.

6. ATM Machines

7. Campus Clinic

The Clinic is available inside the campus. If you feel something not good about your health, you are unequivocally encouraged to visit the facility. You need to prepare NT$ (TWD) 300, as payment for consultation and the medicine. I happen to visit the clinic when I was having a fever. My superior advised me to visit immediately to the clinic. To be sure, they are cautious particularly the wellbeing state of their students.

The animals usually seen inside the campus

1. Monkeys

• Please watch the video underneath.
• Day 2 國立中山大學 National Sun Yat sen University（NSYSU) with Monkey

Beware of monkeys invasion.

• They are cute, but they will destroy your room.
• Remember to lock your windows and doors at all times!
• Keep plastic bags in your bag, not on your hands.
• Avoid eye contact when they are intimidating.

2. Dogs

3. Pigeons

With that being said, please watch the related videos below.

Other Videos

• Please watch the video underneath.
• Mountain View at Tsui-Ling Road inside the National Sun Yat-sen University

• Please watch the video underneath.
• Early Walking Routine inside the National Sun Yat-sen University

• Please watch the video underneath.
• National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan (2019-12-11)

• Please watch the video underneath.
• My 58 Days at National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

References

Albarracin, D., Johnson, B. T., Zanna, M. P., & Kumkale, G. T. (2005). Attitudes: Introduction and scope. In D. Albarracin, B. T. Johson, & M.

Kaohsiung City Motor Vehicles Office. (2020, March 4). Economic Affairs Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government. https://khcmv.thb.gov.tw/en/

National Sun Yat-sen University. (2019, February 25). About zhongshan. https://www.nsysu.edu.tw/p/412-1000-1497.php?Lang=zh-tw

Rogoff, B. (2003). The cultural nature of human development. UK: Oxford University Press.

Taiwan Ministry of Education. (2019). Taiwan Experience Education Program (TEEP@AsiaPlus2019).

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