Hi, I am studying abroad in Taipei at the National Taiwan University from 25-08-2008 till 25-01-200

Currently I am busy preparing for my last exams. From the 10th of July I, finally, have summer holiday!!

I will occasionally post during this period, but from the 25th of august I will be full-time back in business! I hope to share many stories, experiences and pictures with you!

 

See you soon and enjoy your holiday!

The universities from Asia are known for their bureaucracy and in that respect the NTU isn't that different. I was required, besides the usual application form, to fill in two extensive healt forms which contained strange questions. And, although the deadline for application is in March, the papers from the NTU are send to The Netherlands around the end of June (You need those papers to acquire a visum).

 

Don't forget to make copies from all the forms that you send to the NTU!!!

 

Application Form

 

I filled in he first application form online and overall this was quite straightforward. I was required to fill my personal, contact and enrollment information. If you are going to study in either Taiwan or China you need a full name in Chinese. Obviously, I didn't have one so they will give me one once I enter Taiwan. Maybe the essence of my Chinese name will be on strength and power Or intelligence I was born in 1988, the year of the Dragon. I am curious... (See http://www.mandarintools.com/chinesename.html to get your own Chinese name) Also, don't forget to send copies from your medical and accident insurance. Be absolutely sure that the insurances cover you on a wordwide basis!! Contact your insurance company if you are not sure about his.

 

General Health Exam Forms

 

Pff, it took soom time and effort to fill out these forms. They want to know everything about you. I needed to arrange a meeting with my doctor (for the examination of my pulse rate, blood presssure, weight,eyes etc). Furthermore, I went to the hospital for a so-called X-Thorax. Lastly, I made an appointment the lab for a test of my urine. My doctor checked all the results (also the X-Thorax and the results of the urine tests) and, not suprisingly, I was healthy. What the NTU wants with all this, I don't know, but it is nice to know that I am in a good condition! However, this is not everything. I was also required to fill a form about my health condition for the pas 6 months. The questions asked made me smile. They asked after my sleeping habit, my eating habit, smoking habit, drinking habit (Option: Quit / not quitted), do you brush your teeth afert each meal (very interesting) and if I have a betel nut chewing habit. The last form was about your personal vaccination history. When I received several vaccine injections (Measles, mumps etc) In the end it was a tough expedition to get all the required material, but it was worth it because know I am absolutely sure that I am healthy

I will spend my time studying at the National Taiwan University (NTU), Taipei. The NTU is located in the centre of Taipei and offer studies in different fields. I will follow courses from the Management department. Furthermore, I hope to learn a bit Chinese with the Chinese Language Course. Since sport is important for me too, good sporting possibilities are also important to me. The NTU has good and many sport facilities.

 

More information about the NTU will provided when I have arrived in Taipei.

 

Why are you going to study in Taiwan? Where is Taiwan located by the way? Just a few examples of questions that people ask me if I tell them that I go to Taiwan for half a year. I did extensive research before I definitely decided to go to Taiwan of course, but the decision wasn't that easy. The RijksUniversiteit Groningen (RUG) has several interesting and challenging places for students who want to study abroad. Ranging from Australie to Brazil and from China to South Africa. It is therefore useful to read reports from students who have studied abroad. In addition, the RUG also provides potential 'expats' with a seminar in November. I would advice potential these people to attent this seminar, because it provides you with useful information. Although the decision was hard to make, it was clear for me that I preferred to study in Asia. I feel attracted to Asia in general, this stems from the fact that I have travelled a lot in Asia during the past 8 years. But why Taiwan?

 

In the first place, Taiwan is on the one hand a comparatively unknown country and on the other hand an important manufacturer of everyday products, which constitutes a very interesting challenge. Furthermore, the complicated political situation, in particular the constant threat by China, makes that I want to know more about how such a small country succeeds in surviving politically and economically. Secondly, Taiwan already plays an important role in Southeast Asia and it is expected that this region will become even more important for world-trade in the near future. I am, therefore, convinced that at this stage of development, Taiwan offers the challenge that I am looking for. Furthermore, I have spoken with students who have studied in Taiwan, and they told me that Taiwan is, besides all the economic arguments, also a very nice country for foreign students to study.

I hope that all this will pop up during my stay.