My Report
Last Mo dified: 0 8 /0 2/20 13
Filter By: Repo rt Subgro up
1.
Name (o ptio nal)
T e xt Re spo nse
Kaj Iversö n
Erica Pu
Fo uad Abu-Kazam
Allen Chen
Ro sa
Rafael Melo
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
6
2.
E-mail Address (o ptio nal)
T e xt Re spo nse
epu@usc.edu
abukazam@gmail.co m
allenche@usc.edu
huang4@usc.edu
rafamelo 33@gmail.co m
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
5
3.
Lo catio n
#
Answe r
39
Bar
Re spo nse
%
Aalto University Scho o l o f Eco no mics
0
0%
4
Australian Natio nal University
0
0%
6
Chinese University o f Ho ng Ko ng
0
0%
5
Co penhagen Business Scho o l
0
0%
3
Co rvinus University o f Budapest
0
0%
37
Chulalo ngko rn University
0
0%
2
ESADE Business Scho o l
0
0%
40
ESCEM
0
0%
38
ESCP-EAP
0
0%
65
Fudan University
0
0%
13
HEC Scho o l o f Management
0
0%
7
Ho ng Ko ng UNiversity o f Science and Techno lo gy
0
0%
58
ICHEC Brussels
0
0%
63
IE Scho o l o f Business
0
0%
0%
15
Ko rea University Business Scho o l
0
16
Natio nal University o f Singapo re
0
0%
18
Natio nal Taiwan University
7
10 0 %
27
Peking University
0
0%
14
Ro tterdam Scho o l o f Management
0
0%
61
Seo ul Natio nal University
0
0%
19
Singapo re Management University
0
0%
Thammasat University
0
0%
57
Universidade de No va de Lisbo n
0
0%
64
Universiidad de Carlo s Madrid III
0
0%
11
Universita Co mmerciale Luigi Bo cco ni
0
0%
62
University o f Ho ng Ko ng
0
0%
1
9
University o f Manchester, Manchester Business Scho o l
0
0%
10
University o f Melbo urne
0
0%
12
University o f Navarra
0
0%
17
University o f St. Gallen
0
0%
59
Vienna University o f Eco no mics and Business
0
0%
8
WHU Otto Beisheim Scho o l o f Management
0
0%
To tal
7
St at ist ic
Value
Min Value
18
Max Value
18
Mean
18 .0 0
Variance
0 .0 0
Standard Deviatio n
0 .0 0
To tal Respo nses
7
4.
What is yo ur academic status this semester?
#
Answe r
Bar
Re spo nse
%
1
So pho mo re
0
0%
2
Junio r
2
29 %
3
Senio r
5
71%
To tal
7
St at ist ic
Value
Min Value
2
Max Value
3
Mean
2.71
Variance
0 .24
Standard Deviatio n
0 .49
To tal Respo nses
7
5.
What is yo ur expected date o f graduatio n fro m USC (Semester and year, eg
Fall 20 0 9 )?
T e xt Re spo nse
May 20 0 9
Spring 20 11
May 20 11
Fall 20 11
Spring 20 12
Spring 20 13
Spring 20 12
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
7
6.
What is yo ur majo r?
T e xt Re spo nse
BUAD
Business Cinematic Arts
Business Administratio n
Business Administratio n
BUAD
Business
BAIR
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
7
7.
What is yo ur co ncentratio n (Business majo rs o nly)?
T e xt Re spo nse
Internatio nal Business
Internatio nal Business
Entrepreneurship
Internatio nal Business
Internatio nal Business
Marketing
internatio nal business
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
7
8.
Please indicate the term in which yo u were abro ad (semester and year, eg
Fall 20 0 9 ).
T e xt Re spo nse
Fall 20 0 8
Fall 20 0 9
Fall 20 10
Fall 20 10
Spring 20 12
Fall 20 11
Spring 20 12
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
7
9.
I. GENERAL PROGRAM EVALUATION Please rate the fo llo wing items:
#
Que st io n
1
1. Yo ur o verall satisfactio n with the
pro gram.
Ve ry
dissat isf ie d
So m e what
dissat isf ie d
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
sat isf ie d
Ve ry
sat isf ie d
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
0
0
1
2
4
7
4.43
St at ist ic
1. Yo ur o ve rall sat isf act io n wit h t he pro gram .
Min Value
3
Max Value
5
Mean
4.43
Variance
0 .6 2
Standard Deviatio n
0 .79
To tal Respo nses
7
10.
No t at all
so
So m e what
so
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
so
Ve ry m uch
so
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
2. To what extent did the pro gram meet yo ur expectatio ns?
0
1
0
2
4
7
4.29
3. To what extent was yo ur participatio n in the pro gram a valuable
learning experience?
0
0
2
0
5
7
4.43
#
Que st io n
1
2
St at ist ic
2. T o what e xt e nt did t he pro gram m e e t yo ur
e xpe ct at io ns?
3. T o what e xt e nt was yo ur part icipat io n in t he pro gram a valuable le arning
e xpe rie nce ?
Min Value
2
3
Max Value
5
5
Mean
4.29
4.43
Variance
1.24
0 .9 5
Standard
Deviatio n
1.11
0 .9 8
7
7
To tal
Respo nses
11.
#
Que st io n
1
4. To what extent wo uld yo u reco mmend
this pro gram to o ther USC students?
Wo uld no t
re co m m e nd at
all
May re co m m e nd
wit h re se rvat io ns
Ne ut ral
Wo uld sure ly
re co m m e nd
Wo uld
re co m m e nd
m o st st ro ngly
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
0
0
1
1
5
7
4.57
St at ist ic
4 . T o what e xt e nt wo uld yo u re co m m e nd t his pro gram t o o t he r USC st ude nt s?
Min Value
3
Max Value
5
Mean
4.57
Variance
0 .6 2
Standard Deviatio n
0 .79
To tal Respo nses
7
12.
II. ACADEMIC PROGRAM
No t at
all so
So m e what
so
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
so
Ve ry
m uch so
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
5. To what extent were yo ur co urses intellectually challenging?
0
1
3
1
2
7
3.57
6 . Ho w co mparable was the quality o f instructio n and academic demand o f
classes to that o f USC?
0
2
2
3
0
7
3.14
#
Que st io n
1
2
St at ist ic
5 . T o what e xt e nt we re yo ur co urse s int e lle ct ually
challe nging?
6 . Ho w co m parable was t he qualit y o f inst ruct io n and acade m ic de m and o f
classe s t o t hat o f USC?
Min Value
2
2
Max Value
5
4
Mean
3.57
3.14
Variance
1.29
0 .8 1
Standard
Deviatio n
1.13
0 .9 0
7
7
To tal
Respo nses
13.
St ro ngly
disagre e
Disagre e
Ne ut ral
Agre e
St ro ngly
Agre e
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
7. The grading system used in the co urses was
explained.
0
0
0
5
2
7
4.29
8 . I was able to register fo r all the classes that I wanted.
0
3
0
2
2
7
3.43
#
Que st io n
1
2
St at ist ic
7 . T he grading syst e m use d in t he co urse s was e xplaine d.
8. I was able t o re gist e r f o r all t he classe s t hat I want e d.
Min Value
4
2
Max Value
5
5
Mean
4.29
3.43
Variance
0 .24
1.9 5
Standard Deviatio n
0 .49
1.40
7
7
To tal Respo nses
14.
No t at all
so
So m e what
so
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
so
Ve ry m uch
so
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
9 . To what extent were yo u prepared fo r the co ursewo rk?
0
1
0
3
3
7
4.14
2
10 . To what extent do yo u feel yo u were immersed in the culture o f the
ho st co untry?
0
0
0
1
6
7
4.8 6
3
11. To what extent did yo u gain a better appreciatio n o f the ho st
culture's perspectives?
0
0
0
1
6
7
4.8 6
#
Que st io n
1
St at ist ic
9 . T o what e xt e nt we re yo u
pre pare d f o r t he co urse wo rk?
10 . T o what e xt e nt do yo u f e e l yo u we re
im m e rse d in t he cult ure o f t he ho st co unt ry?
11. T o what e xt e nt did yo u gain a be t t e r
appre ciat io n o f t he ho st cult ure 's pe rspe ct ive s?
Min Value
2
4
4
Max Value
5
5
5
Mean
4.14
4.8 6
4.8 6
Variance
1.14
0 .14
0 .14
Standard
Deviatio n
1.0 7
0 .38
0 .38
7
7
7
To tal
Respo nses
15.
Ve ry
dissat isf ie d
So m e what
dissat isf ie d
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
sat isf ie d
Ve ry
Sat isf ie d
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
12. Please rate yo ur o verall satisfactio n with the co ntent o f
the co urses yo u to o k.
0
1
1
4
1
7
3.71
13. Please rate yo ur o verall satisfactio n with the quality o f
instructio n.
0
2
1
3
1
7
3.43
#
Que st io n
1
2
St at ist ic
12. Ple ase rat e yo ur o ve rall sat isf act io n wit h t he co nt e nt o f t he
co urse s yo u t o o k.
13. Ple ase rat e yo ur o ve rall sat isf act io n wit h t he qualit y o f
inst ruct io n.
Min Value
2
2
Max Value
5
5
Mean
3.71
3.43
Variance
0 .9 0
1.29
Standard
Deviatio n
0 .9 5
1.13
7
7
To tal
Respo nses
16.
#
Que st io n
1
14. Please rate the o verall level o f faculty interest in
students.
Ve ry
lo w
So m e what
lo w
Ave rage
Highe r t han
ave rage
Ve ry
high
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
0
0
4
1
2
7
3.71
St at ist ic
14 . Ple ase rat e t he o ve rall le ve l o f f acult y int e re st in st ude nt s.
Min Value
3
Max Value
5
Mean
3.71
Variance
0 .9 0
Standard Deviatio n
0 .9 5
To tal Respo nses
7
17.
#
Que st io n
1
15. Please rate yo ur o verall satisfactio n with the
academic pro gram.
Ve ry
dissat isf ie d
So m e what
dissat isf ie d
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
sat isf ie d
Ve ry
sat isf ie d
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
0
0
2
3
2
7
4.0 0
St at ist ic
15 . Ple ase rat e yo ur o ve rall sat isf act io n wit h t he acade m ic pro gram .
Min Value
3
Max Value
5
Mean
4.0 0
Variance
0 .6 7
Standard Deviatio n
0 .8 2
To tal Respo nses
7
18.
III. LANGUAGE PREPARATIONIf yo u did no t take a fo reign language
class this semester, please cho o se "No t applicable" fo r each questio n.
No t
applicable
Po o r
Ne e ds
im pro ve m e nt
Fair
Go o d
Exce lle nt
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
16 . Ho w were yo ur language skills befo re the
pro gram?
4
0
1
0
1
1
7
2.57
2
17. Ho w were yo ur language skills after the pro gram?
4
0
0
1
0
2
7
2.8 6
3
18 . Yo ur living situatio n aided yo ur language
acquisitio n.
4
1
0
0
0
2
7
2.57
#
Que st io n
1
St at ist ic
16 . Ho w we re yo ur language skills be f o re
t he pro gram ?
17 . Ho w we re yo ur language skills af t e r
t he pro gram ?
18. Yo ur living sit uat io n aide d yo ur language
acquisit io n.
Min Value
1
1
1
Max Value
6
6
6
Mean
2.57
2.8 6
2.57
Variance
4.6 2
5.8 1
5.6 2
Standard
Deviatio n
2.15
2.41
2.37
7
7
7
To tal
Respo nses
19.
#
Que st io n
1
19 . If yo u studied a fo reign language o n the pro gram, please rate yo ur
o verall level o f satisfactio n with the language educatio n co mpo nent o f
the pro gram.
Ve ry
dissat isf ie d
So m e what
dissat isf ie d
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
sat isf ie d
Ve ry
sat isf ie d
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
0
0
6
0
1
7
3.29
St at ist ic
19 . If yo u st udie d a f o re ign language o n t he pro gram , ple ase rat e yo ur o ve rall le ve l o f sat isf act io n wit h t he language e ducat io n
co m po ne nt o f t he pro gram .
Min Value
3
Max Value
5
Mean
3.29
Variance
0 .57
Standard
Deviatio n
0 .76
To tal
Respo nses
7
20.
IV. SUPPORT SERVICESPlease rate yo ur level o f satisfactio n with the
fo llo wing catego ries:
#
Que st io n
Ve ry
dissat isf ie d
So m e what
dissat isf ie d
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
sat isf ie d
Ve ry
sat isf ie d
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
1
20 . On-site academic advising
0
1
1
3
2
7
3.8 6
2
21. On-site o rientatio n
0
0
1
2
4
7
4.43
3
22. On-site academic facilities (e.g. classro o ms, libraries,
co mputer labs), excluding ho using.
0
0
2
3
2
7
4.0 0
4
23. Co mmunicatio n with the USC Marshall o ffice in Lo s Angeles
0
0
1
3
3
7
4.29
5
24. Overall impressio n o f o n-site suppo rt services
0
0
2
3
2
7
4.0 0
St at ist ic
20 . On-sit e
acade m ic
advising
21. On-sit e
o rie nt at io n
22. On-sit e acade m ic f acilit ie s (e .g.
classro o m s, librarie s, co m put e r labs),
e xcluding ho using.
23. Co m m unicat io n wit h t he
USC Marshall o f f ice in Lo s
Ange le s
24 . Ove rall im pre ssio n
o f o n-sit e suppo rt
se rvice s
Min Value
2
3
3
3
3
Max Value
5
5
5
5
5
Mean
3.8 6
4.43
4.0 0
4.29
4.0 0
Variance
1.14
0 .6 2
0 .6 7
0 .57
0 .6 7
Standard
Deviatio n
1.0 7
0 .79
0 .8 2
0 .76
0 .8 2
7
7
7
7
7
To tal
Respo nses
21.
V. HOUSINGPlease rate yo ur level o f satisfactio n with the fo llo wing
catego ries:
#
Que st io n
Ve ry
dissat isf ie d
So m e what
dissat isf ie d
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
sat isf ie d
Ve ry
sat isf ie d
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
1
25. Ho using co o rdinatio n
0
0
0
4
3
7
4.43
2
26 . Lo catio n o f student ho using
0
0
1
3
3
7
4.29
3
27. Quality o f ho using
arrangements
0
0
0
2
5
7
4.71
St at ist ic
25 . Ho using co o rdinat io n
26 . Lo cat io n o f st ude nt ho using
27 . Qualit y o f ho using arrange m e nt s
Min Value
4
3
4
Max Value
5
5
5
Mean
4.43
4.29
4.71
Variance
0 .29
0 .57
0 .24
Standard Deviatio n
0 .53
0 .76
0 .49
7
7
7
To tal Respo nses
22.
VI. OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS 31. Why did yo u cho o se this pro gram?
T e xt Re spo nse
Expo sure to Mandarin was my primary mo tive.
I'm Taiwanese American, but I never felt to o stro ngly tied to my heritage. I felt like it was a go o d o ppo rtunity to get in to uch with my ro o ts and really immerse myself in my
culture and the everyday life o f a regular Taiwanese student.
Was interested in the Asian regio n and Taiwan is a gro wing co untry that's centrally lo cated.
No t very o ften do yo u get the o ppo rtunity to live abro ad fo r a few mo nths and still get to further yo ur academic career. I wanted to expand my ho rizo ns, to see a wo rld
o utside o f Lo s Angeles and experience a culture in which I had never lived in befo re. I cho se Taiwan specifically because I speak the language (Mandarin) and I might want
to live here in the future, so this wo uld be a go o d trial run, to see if I can get used to the lifestyle and the peo ple here.
Because I wanted an o ppo rtunity to explo re the jo b market abro ad while still studying, and because I lo ve the culture o f Taiwan.
Wanted to practice mandarin and emerge myself in a very different culture.
To wo rk/lo o k fo r wo rk in my cho sen co untry
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
7
23.
32. Please co mpare these aspects o f yo ur pro gram with study at USC.
#
Que st io n
Equivale nt
USC/Abro ad Be t t e r
USC/in L.A. Be t t e r
T o t al Re spo nse s
1
2
1) Quality o f instructio n
3
0
4
7
2.14
2) Co ntent o f co urses
3
1
3
7
2.0 0
3
3) Intellectual challenge o f co urses
2
2
3
7
2.14
4
4) Faculty interest in/suppo rt o f students
4
1
2
7
1.71
5
5) Individual assistance pro vided
4
1
2
7
1.71
St at ist ic
1) Qualit y o f
inst ruct io n
2) Co nt e nt o f
co urse s
Min Value
1
1
Max Value
3
3
Mean
2.14
2.0 0
2.14
1.71
1.71
Variance
1.14
1.0 0
0 .8 1
0 .9 0
0 .9 0
Standard
Deviatio n
1.0 7
1.0 0
0 .9 0
0 .9 5
0 .9 5
7
7
7
7
7
To tal
Respo nses
3) Int e lle ct ual challe nge o f
co urse s
Me an
4 ) Facult y int e re st in/suppo rt o f
st ude nt s
5 ) Individual assist ance
pro vide d
1
1
1
3
3
3
24.
33. Ho w much study time per week do yo u reco mmend in o rder to keep
up with classes?
T e xt Re spo nse
7
abo ut a few ho urs per each class taken
It really depends o n the type o f classes that are taken.
5
12 ho urs
A co uple o f ho urs
no t much
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
7
25.
34. Ho w, if at all, do es the structure o f the co urses differ fro m tho se at
USC? Did yo u like o r dislike these differences?
T e xt Re spo nse
All o f my co urses very highly, if no t to tally, gro up based. My USC co urses are much mo re individual based.
The teachers are no t very go o d at explaining co ncepts. Much o f the co urses need to be self taught fo r this reaso n. Memo rizatio n is a very stro ng basis to learning in
Taiwan as o ppo sed to mo re o f an understanding o f co ncepts at USC. Also , classes at NTU are 3 ho urs each, o nce a week. It makes it hard to co ncentrate fo r that lo ng a
perio d o f time. I prefer USC's co urse structure mo re.
The structure o f mo st classes pro ve to be very similar to USC's classes. They all have midterms, mo st have participatio n credit, so me have ho mewo rk and gro up
wo rk/presentatio ns, and mo st have finals.
The classes are all very straightfo rward. There isn't as much critical thinking. It's all very much, these are the co ncepts, these are so me examples, memo rize them fo r the
exams. So it's bo th a go o d and bad thing, in that it's a little easier to study fo r the tests but at the end o f the day, yo u're just memo rizing terms. Also , all o f my classes were
three ho ur-lo ng lectures, and yo u get two 10 -20 minute breaks every ho ur. The breaks make them mo re bearable, but three ho urs is still a lo ng time to sit in a lecture.
Attend class 1 time per week in a 3 ho ur blo ck, with 10 minute breaks between ho urs. I liked it better this way because it made scheduling mo re flexible.
Midterms and Finals have a huge impact. Fo r many classes midterms and finals acco unt fo r 10 0 % o f yo ur grade. I liked it since I was able to co nditio n myself to no t fall
behind.
Mo re gro up fo cused and o pen-ended. Mo re case studies and presentatio ns. Mo re practical applicatio n material (i.e. Go o gle e-marketing co mpetitio n/ o ther case
co mpetitio n o ppo rtunities, etc).
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
7
26.
35. Are there co urses o r pro fesso rs that yo u wo uld particular
reco mmend? Please explain:
T e xt Re spo nse
Mo dern Banking(GMBA co urse). Student presentatio ns every sessio n, but felt was beneficial to impro ve presentatio n skills. The pro fesso r was also very kno wledgeable
and experienced in the wo rld o f banking.
No ne o f the co urses I to o k.
I believe I was quite lucky because all the pro fesso rs I had this semester were really go o d.
Internatio nal Marketing Management with Pro fesso r Chris Lin is a really interesting co urse, and the class relies heavily o n case studies which are all interesting. In lieu o f a
final exam, o ur final pro ject is to film a viral video fo r Haagen-Dazs, so that's been a lo t o f fun.
E-co mmerce with Pro fessio n Jiang, very interactive and TA supplement with current research in the industry.
Cro ss-Cultural management (fo rgo t the pro fesso r´s name) was interesting since it isn´t a lo t o f wo rk but at the same time yo u learn a lo t since there are a lo t o f engaging
and gro up activities thro ugho ut the semester. So me classes like Mergers & Acquisitio n, Internatio nal Business Strategy, Investment, and Revenue Management/Insurance,
are basically just lectures where the teacher do es mo st o f the talking and the students listen and take no tes.
No , my co urses were in Chinese, so I do n't kno w ho w much relevance my reco mmendatio ns wo uld ho ld fo r o ther exchange students.
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
7
27.
36 . Are there co urses o r pro fesso rs that yo u wo uld advise against taking?
Please explain:
T e xt Re spo nse
n/a
DO NOT take Applicatio n to Financial Mo deling. It was his first year teaching at NTU, and his English is ho rrible. He literally read o ff the o nline no tes, and the co urse wo rk is
very difficult to understand witho ut a stro ng grasp in acco unting and finance. He, himself, had a hard time answering questio ns because he didn't understand the material.
N/A
Services Marketing, also with Pro fesso r Chris Lin. It's a pretty po intless class, as there really isn't that much to explain abo ut the to pic. The pro fesso r uses the same
example (Singapo re Airlines) to explain every co ncept so it gets very repetitive. Also , this pro fesso r was very against students leaving early so if yo u're go ing to take his
class, be prepared to put up a fight if yo u intended o n leaving the semester early.
Pro ject Management with Pro fesso r Chen, Co urse was diso rganized, and since no o ne bo ught the textbo o k because it was to o expensive, the co urse material co uld no t
be taught in an efficient and effective manner.
No
No , generally all very go o d.
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7
28.
37. Has participatio n in this pro gram influenced yo ur academic o r career
go als? Ho w?
T e xt Re spo nse
Since mo st o f my co urses had many graduate and GMBA students, I felt like my perso nal kno wledge/ability as a student was mo re o r less equal with them. I realized that I
will plan to pursue a po stgraduate degree o nly if I have to fo r symbo lic reaso ns, just to have the degree. I also learned that i-banking is o verrated and will be fo cusing o n a
career invo lving internatio nal business mo re so than finance in particular, especially given the current eco no mic situatio n.
If anything, I fell in lo ve with the Taiwanese culture. They really welco me Taiwanese Americans, and have many career o utlets available fo r them. I may co nsider wo rking
abro ad in Taiwan after I graduate. I think I wo uld be able to o btain a higher po sitio n in a sho rter amo unt o f time and learn mo re than I wo uld in the U.S.
Participatio n in the pro gram has influenced my career go als. I have met a lo t o f peo ple here and will mo re than likely be returning to the regio n fo r different business
o ppo rtunities.
It definitely has - it gave me a glimpse o f ho w business is co nducted in o ther co untries and the cultural barriers that can arise. It's also just been nice to spend a semester
taking classes I actually wanted to take, rather than co urses that are required to get my degree, so I've definitely learned a lo t.
Yes, it made me realize ho w lucky we were in the U.S. even with the current, no t-so -great, jo b market. Students here basically have little o ptio n but to pursue a higher
degree, such as a Masters in o rder to be co mpetitive in the Taiwan jo b market. Ho wever, I still think Taiwan o ffers a lo t o f o ppo rtunities that the U.S. lacks and am still
co nsidering wo rking in Taiwan.
Has made me mo re glo bal-o riented, and interested me in taking o ther "glo bal" classes such as Glo bal Leadership and Glo bal marketing at USC. It also enco uraged me to
co ntinue practicing mandarin.
Yes, I have a better understanding o f business in Taiwan, and to o k MBA level classes o n to pics no t currently available in the USC curriculum (i.e. e-Co mmerce strategy,
Pro ject Management)
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7
29.
Please tell us abo ut yo ur experience with the fo reign language o f yo ur
ho st co untry: 38 . Besides English, what is (are) the language(s) mo st
pro minently spo ken o n the campus o f the university where yo u studied?
T e xt Re spo nse
Mandarin, French & Dutch(exchange students)
Mandarin, Taiwanese
Chinese - Traditio nal Mandarin
Mandarin Chinese
Mandarin Chinese
Mandarin
Chinese (Mandarin)
St at ist ic
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7
30.
39 . Did yo u speak the ho st language, o r receive any language training in
the ho st language prio r to , o r during yo ur semester abro ad? If yes, please
explain:
T e xt Re spo nse
Yes, had studied Mandarin fo r abo ut 3 mo nths befo re I came there.
I speak the ho st language fluently, but I have a bit o f tro uble with reading and writing. I to o k language classes, which really helped ho ne tho se skills.
I studied the basics o f the language o n my o wn thro ugh the use o f different language learning so ftware.
I already spo ke the language because my family speaks it, but being abro ad has really helped with my co nversatio nal skills in the language.
I already spo ke Mandarin Chinese
Yes. I to o k o ne semester o f mandarin at USC befo re go ing which I STRONGLY reco mmend. It will make no t o nly learning the language easier, but will help meeting new
peo ple and adapting better. I to o k private tuto ring classes twice a week fo r a co uple o f mo nths in Taiwan, but my mo st significant learning experiences was in the streets.
yes, I was already fluent in Mandarin.
St at ist ic
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7
31.
Then rate:
#
Que st io n
Exce lle nt
Go o d
Fair
Po o r
T o t al Re spo nse s
Me an
1
1) Yo ur language skills befo re the pro gram:
2
2
1
2
7
2.43
2
2) Language training o n the pro gram:
1
3
3
0
7
2.29
3
3) Yo ur pro ficiency after the pro gram:
4
0
3
0
7
1.8 6
St at ist ic
1) Yo ur language skills be f o re t he pro gram :
2) Language t raining o n t he pro gram :
Min Value
1
1
1
Max Value
4
3
3
Mean
2.43
2.29
1.8 6
Variance
1.6 2
0 .57
1.14
Standard Deviatio n
1.27
0 .76
1.0 7
7
7
7
To tal Respo nses
3) Yo ur pro f icie ncy af t e r t he pro gram :
32.
40 . Did cultural/so cial activities spo nso red by the pro gram assist yo u in
language acquisitio n?
T e xt Re spo nse
So mewhat, but I didn't participate in it eno ugh to have it affect my Mandarin substantially
Yes, definitely
Yes, being aro und lo cal students makes it a lo t easier to learn the language because there's alway so meo ne who can answer a questio n yo u may have.
No
I did no t participate in the language pro gram, but fro m what I co uld see, mo st Taiwanese were fluent in English, so in so cial activities, they used English.
No t that i can remember
yes
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7
33.
41. Did o utside/o ther activities help? Please explain.
T e xt Re spo nse
Go ing o ut at night, mingling with the lo cals, and having vario us taiwanese girlfriends
Of co urse. We traveled to different parts o f Taiwan to experience different cultural backgro unds and traditio ns. Also , I jo ined an o utside dance studio where I made many
lo cal friends. They really made me experience Taiwan like a lo cal.
I jo ined the scho o l's rugby team, and since mo st o f them didn't speak English it pro ved to be a learning experience.
The scho o l set us up with a ho st buddy who has been really great in helping me with the language, especially with the mo re co llo quial terms.
no t applicable
any o utside activites with lo cals helps. Spo rts, clubs, nightlife, etc
yes, I spo ke mo stly Chinese and was able to pick up o n the lo cal jargo n.
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7
34.
42. What percentage o f students o n the campus o f yo ur ho st co untry
(wo uld yo u estimate) actively speak English?
T e xt Re spo nse
20 %
maybe abo ut 40 % can speak fluently
It seemed as tho ugh anyo ne in the direct vicinity o f the university co uld speak really basic English. The majo rity o f students in the university co uld speak o r understand
so me English.
10
mo re than 50 %
30 -50 %
90%
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7
35.
43. Ho w wo uld yo u reco mmend that students prepare fo r language
differences abro ad?
T e xt Re spo nse
Take advantage o f the free Chinese language co urses o ffered by NTU. It o bvio usly wo uld help if yo u knew any Chinese befo re yo u arrive to Taiwan. Be o pen-minded and
patient with lo cals trying to practice their English with yo u.
Just ask questio ns when yo u do n't understand. Taiwanese peo ple are always very willing to help fo reigners despite the language barriers. Maybe co nsider making a few
lo cal friends because many o f the signs are no t in English as well. The lo cals, ho wever, really cater to helping fo reigners when in need.
I wo uld reco mmend they learn a few things befo re they co me, just basic phrases to be able to get aro und and o rder fo o d.
Find a language exchange partner, so meo ne who can help yo u with their native language and yo u can help with English, o r ano ther language yo u kno w.
Be o pen-minded, and no t be afraid to talk, even if they can't understand English, mo st peo ple are smart eno ugh to understand mime, so do n't be afraid to try to
co mmunicate in any way po ssible. Mo st peo ple, even with no previo us understanding o f Mandarin Chinese fo und Taipei quite a livable and co mfo rtable city.
Take the language co urse befo re go ing. At least o ne semester.
be o pen-minded.
St at ist ic
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7
36.
Click to write Co lumn 2
#
Que st io n
No t Available
Available But No t Use d
Available And Use d
T o t al Re spo nse s
Me an
2.8 6
1
Ho using co o rdinatio n
0
1
6
7
2
On-site perso nal advising and info rmal suppo rt
0
4
3
7
2.43
3
Orientatio n in Lo s Angeles
0
0
7
7
3.0 0
4
Instructio nal facilities
0
0
7
7
3.0 0
5
Medical/dental facilities
1
5
1
7
2.0 0
6
Recreatio nal facilities
0
3
4
7
2.57
7
USC Financial Aid
1
1
5
7
2.57
8
Co mmunicatio n with o ffice in Lo s Angeles
0
1
6
7
2.8 6
St at ist ic
Ho using
co o rdinat io n
On-sit e pe rso nal
advising and inf o rm al
suppo rt
Orie nt at io n
in Lo s
Ange le s
Inst ruct io nal
f acilit ie s
Me dical/de nt al
f acilit ie s
Re cre at io nal
f acilit ie s
USC
Financial
Aid
Co m m unicat io n
wit h o f f ice in
Lo s Ange le s
Min Value
2
2
3
Max Value
3
3
3
3
1
2
1
2
3
3
3
3
3
Mean
2.8 6
2.43
3.0 0
3.0 0
2.0 0
2.57
2.57
2.8 6
Variance
0 .14
0 .29
0 .0 0
0 .0 0
0 .33
0 .29
0 .6 2
0 .14
Standard
Deviatio n
0 .38
0 .53
0 .0 0
0 .0 0
0 .58
0 .53
0 .79
0 .38
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
To tal
Respo nses
37.
Click to write Co lumn 2
Unacce pt able
Be lo w
Ave rage
Ave rage
Abo ve
Ave rage
Acce pt able
T o t al Re spo nse s
Me an
Ho using co o rdinatio n
0
0
0
4
3
7
4.43
2
On-site perso nal advising and info rmal
suppo rt
0
0
3
2
2
7
3.8 6
3
Orientatio n in Lo s Angeles
0
0
2
2
3
7
4.14
4
Instructio nal facilities
0
2
1
3
1
7
3.43
5
Medical/dental facilities
0
0
3
1
3
7
4.0 0
6
Recreatio nal facilities
0
0
3
1
3
7
4.0 0
7
USC Financial Aid
0
1
2
2
2
7
3.71
8
Co mmunicatio n with o ffice in Lo s Angeles
0
0
1
2
4
7
4.43
#
Que st io n
1
St at ist ic
Ho using
co o rdinat io n
On-sit e pe rso nal
advising and inf o rm al
suppo rt
Orie nt at io n
in Lo s
Ange le s
Inst ruct io nal
f acilit ie s
Me dical/de nt al
f acilit ie s
Re cre at io nal
f acilit ie s
USC
Financial
Aid
Co m m unicat io n
wit h o f f ice in
Lo s Ange le s
Min Value
4
3
3
2
3
3
2
3
Max Value
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
Mean
4.43
3.8 6
4.14
3.43
4.0 0
4.0 0
3.71
4.43
Variance
0 .29
0 .8 1
0 .8 1
1.29
1.0 0
1.0 0
1.24
0 .6 2
Standard
Deviatio n
0 .53
0 .9 0
0 .9 0
1.13
1.0 0
1.0 0
1.11
0 .79
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
To tal
Respo nses
38.
44. Did yo u live in...
#
Answe r
Bar
Re spo nse
%
1
Do rm
6
86%
2
Apartment
1
14%
3
Other
0
0%
To tal
7
St at ist ic
Value
Min Value
1
Max Value
2
Mean
1.14
Variance
0 .14
Standard Deviatio n
0 .38
To tal Respo nses
7
39.
45. If yo u used STA Travel fo r transpo rtatio n arrangements, were yo u
satisfied? Please explain.
T e xt Re spo nse
n/a
na
N/A
n/a
no t applicable
N/A
did no t use STA
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
7
40.
46 . Is there any aspect o f the pro gram that yo u wo uld like to see changed
o r different? (VERY IMPORTANT!)
T e xt Re spo nse
Wider selectio n o f English-instructed co urses. My biggest co mplaint was registering fo r co urses. No t o nly was the selectio n so mewhat limited, but also the space in the
classes. This was a frustrating pro cess.
I wo uld really like NTU to hire better teachers. I really felt like that was their greatest do wnfall. Also , it wo uld be nice if NTU arranged mo re get to gethers o r travel plans fo r the
exchange students. Students o nly see each o ther o nce a week in class. It makes it difficult to beco me clo se with yo ur peers.
The o nly thing that co uld be impro ved wo uld be the way co urse selectio n takes place. Fo r all students, the way yo u register fo r mo st o f yo ur classes is thro ugh crashing
different co urses during the first two weeks and getting signatures. This has its benefits, but it pro ves to be quite stressful fo r exchange students who are still new to
everything.
My ho st scho o l really needs to get its act to gether o n ho w exchange students select classes. We have "preliminary co urse selectio n" which basically just tells them what
classes yo u're interested in, even tho ugh all the lo cal students have already registered. It isn't until the first two weeks o f classes where yo u actually go to class and get
appro val fro m each pro fesso r, but I was faced with a multitude o f difficulties. I had a pro fesso r who , even tho ugh the class was o ffered as "English-taught" said he wo uld be
teaching in Chinese so he kicked o ut all the exchange students. Ano ther pro fesso r wo uldn't accept us into his class if we were planning o n leaving the semester early, even
tho ugh my next semester at USC wo uld begin befo re their semester ended. Ano ther pro fesso r said his class was o nly fo r graduate students, even tho ugh my scho o l
pro gram said exchange students are allo wed to take graduate co urses. Basically, registering fo r classes was very difficult.
I think mo re interactio n with the USC Taipei o ffice wo uld greatly benefit exchange students. Pei and Jeanie (and all the lo cal interns) are VERY helpful and kno wledgeable.
We didn´t really have a cho ice fo r ho using. Its no t to o bad but I kno w o f many students who wo uld like mo re o ptio ns. Mo stly every aspect abo ut the pro gram I was very
satisfied with
enco urage mo re peo ple to go to Taiwan
St at ist ic
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7
41.
47. Additio nal co mments o n services and co o rdinatio n.
T e xt Re spo nse
n/a
The advising o ffice abro ad was no t very helpful so I had to get a lo t o f stuff do ne myself, which is fine, but I basically had no co ntact with that o ffice during my semester
abro ad.
n/a
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3
42.
Please tell us abo ut yo ur travel experiences. 48 . Ho w did yo u find yo ur
arrangements to the ho st institutio n?
#
Answe r
1
2
3
Bar
Re spo nse
%
Travel Agent
1
14%
Online
5
71%
Other:
1
14%
To tal
7
Ot he r:
mo ther is a flight attendant
St at ist ic
Value
Min Value
1
Max Value
3
Mean
2.0 0
Variance
0 .33
Standard Deviatio n
0 .58
To tal Respo nses
7
43.
Wo uld yo u reco mmend this metho d?
T e xt Re spo nse
n/a
yes
Yes
Yes
yes, KAYAK is the way to go
Yes
yes
St at ist ic
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7
44.
49 . What was the average co st fo r ro und-trip tickets to yo ur ho st co untry?
T e xt Re spo nse
n/a
$120 0
$110 0
$150 0
130 0 USD
$10 0 0 -$130 0
130 0 USD
St at ist ic
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Value
7
45.
50 . Ho w o ften did yo u travel and to where?
T e xt Re spo nse
Despite essentially being stranded o n an island, there is much places to travel to within Taiwan. Fo r internatio nal traveling, perhaps it is no t the ideal co untry to do so . I
didn't do as much traveling as I had wished, ho wever, I just traveled at the way beginning to the far so uth(Kenting) and at the way end to Hualien. In the middle o f the
semester, I flew to Beijing fo r the weekend to visit so me o f my Beijing friends.
I traveled a lo t within Taiwan such as places like Kenting, Sun Mo o n Lake, Taichung, Yilan, Bitan, Danshui, Beito u, Yangming Shan and Jiufen. It' a beautiful co untry with city,
o cean, nature all in o ne package. I also travelled o ut to Ho ng Ko ng. I did mo re o f my traveling the first co uple mo nths. Once midterms picked up, there wasn't much time to
go o ut.
I visited Ho ng Ko ng/Macau, Thailand, and will be go ing to the Philippines.
Traveled maybe o nce a mo nth, but o nly to o ther parts o f Taiwan.
I did no t travel as much since I'd already been here befo re and to o k care o f the traveling part. But, yo u can travel every weekend if yo u wanted to . Taichung, Kao hsiung,
Tainan, are all just a bus/train ride away. Yo u can make a weekend trip anywhere in Taiwan because the island isn't really that big.
I traveled to So uth Ko rea fo r abo ut a week and to Singapo re fo r abo ut a week. Stro ngly reco mmend bo th places.
traveled within Taiwan (Taichung, Kenting, Kao hsiung), weekends
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7
46.
51. Did the structure o f the ho st institutio n's co urse schedule fo ster travel
o ppo rtunity o r prevent it? Why?
T e xt Re spo nse
It fo stered it because each o f the 5 classes o nly met o nce a week, and I think mo st students did no t have class o n Fridays.
Definitely fo stered it. Classes are each o nly o nce a week, which makes the material co vered very limited.
It really depends o n the class. So me classes are no t as participatio n based, and it's o kay to miss a class o r two as lo ng as yo u study the material yo u missed. Fo r o ther
classes, yo u have to be there every class (which isn't difficult because all classes are just o nce a week). Ability to travel depends o n yo ur classes and when yo u schedule
them. I perso nally to o k fo ur classes, and just had class o n Tuesday and Wednesday.
I o nly had class Tues-Thurs so it fo stered travel o ppo rtunity, definitely. At the same time, all o f my classes are very pro ject-based so o n days I didn't have class, I wo uld
have gro up meetings.
Definitely fo stered, since yo u had 1 class o nce a week. That made scheduling no Friday/Mo nday classes VERY VERY easy (if yo u didn't take the CLD co urse, but even if
yo u did, my friend who was in the co urse tells me that yo u can tell the teacher and they will understand), so this left a lo t o f ro o m to travel.
Fo ster. Attendance in so me classes wasn´t required (fo r example Investment) and it is po ssible to have 3 o r 4 days o f classes per week and have 3-4 day weekends
Fo ster, o nly had classes 2 days a week.
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7
47.
52. Do yo u have any tips o r info rmatio n abo ut traveling while abro ad that
yo u wo uld like to share with upco ming exchange students preparing fo r their trip?
T e xt Re spo nse
Travel thro ugho ut the island because there are a lo t o f places to see. The trains and buses are cheap to o .
Yo u live and die by the MRT (the metro system in Taipei). It is really efficiant and cheap. If yo u are able to figure o ut the bus system (usually ask lo cals), yo u can definitely
save even mo re. It all depends o n ho w much yo u are willing to spend. High Speed Rail is faster, but far mo re expensive. Also , yo u'll definitely be do ing a lo t o f walking in
Taipei. I highly suggest it because the city is no t that big to begin with. The city is bustling with life and yo u really can't experience Taipei any o ther way. Mo st impo rtantly, try
the fo o d wherever yo u go . Taiwan is ALL ABOUT THE FOOD. Do n't wo rry to o much abo ut fo o d sanitatio n. Everything is delicio us and cheap; especially street fo o d at night
markets.
If yo u plan to travel while o n exchange, bo o k yo ur tickets and plan yo ur trips as early as po ssible. Yo u'll save a lo t o n airfare.
Lo o k at specific airline websites fo r go o d deals. Fo r instance, o n Eva Air's website, we fo und a pro mo tio n to Ho ng Ko ng with ro undtrip tickets and ho tel lo dging fo r o nly
abo ut $20 0 to tal.
Travel as much as yo u can, but if yo u want to go to Kenting, make sure to bo o k ho using befo re yo u get there. Also , if yo u are traveling anywhere do wn so uth, the
transpo rtatio n may no t be as co nvenient as in Taipei, just be aware and plan acco rdingly. Ho wever, if yo u are adventuro us/brave, yo u can get a license fo r the mo peds that
are so po pular here (no te: NOT advised, co uld be highly dangero us), o r yo u can get an internatio nal license and rent a car. The BEST way to travel o utside Taipei is still by
car, so find a lo cal friend with a car who is willing to travel with yo u if yo u want the mo st flexible schedule and relaxing vacatio ns.
pack LIGHT. Things are CHEAP in taiwan and even cheaper if yo u go visit so me places like ho ng ko ng/china (which i stro ngly reco mmend). take a language co urse befo re
yo u go ! it will make EVERYTHING better and easier. Yo u will be able to adapt and interact easier and yo u will be able to apply a lo t o f what yo u learned there and impro ve
yo ur language skills way mo re than if yo u went with no kno wledge.
Ask USC-Taipei o ffice fo r help and reco mmendatio ns
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7
48.
53. EXPENSES: Ho w much spending mo ney FOR THE ENTIRE
SEMESTER wo uld yo u reco mmend that the next participants budget fo r this
pro gram?
#
Answe r
Min Value
Max Value
Ave rage Value
St andard De viat io n
1
2
General (including fo o d, entertainment, lo cal transpo rtatio n)
0 .0 0
10 ,0 0 0 .0 0
2,76 6 .71
3,29 2.74
Ho using/rent
0 .0 0
1,6 0 0 .0 0
9 76 .29
511.9 3
3
General travel during semester
0 .0 0
5,0 0 0 .0 0
1,28 5.71
1,770 .53
4
Bo o ks & miscellaneo us supplies
0 .0 0
20 0 .0 0
10 2.8 6
58 .23
5
Other expenditures (please explain)
0 .0 0
1,50 0 .0 0
214.29
56 6 .9 5
Ot he r e xpe ndit ure s (ple ase e xplain)
Clubbing
Pho ne cards
49.
54. Did yo u experience any fo rm o f crime, o r were yo u in danger at any
time (such as the victim o r witness o f assault, ro bbery, etc.)? If yes, please
explain:
T e xt Re spo nse
I did no t. No t much crime in Taiwan. So me bicycle thefts tho ugh.
No t at all. I perso nally believe Taiwan is o ne o f the safest co untries in the wo rld. Peo ple sleep o n the MRT's because they feel that safe. The peo ple in general are very
trustwo rthy and kind hearted.
N/A
No
no
No ne, Taiwan is very safe, just be mo re aware o f these things if yo u travel to places such as Thailand o r Philipines
no
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7
50.
55. Befo re departure fro m USC, o r upo n immediate arrival to yo ur ho st
co untry, do yo u think yo u were adequately warned and/o r prepared to deal with
mo st incidents mentio ned in the Health and Safety sectio n o f this evaluatio n?
T e xt Re spo nse
yes
yes
Yes
Yes
yes
Yes, Sean explains everything VERY well and is available fo r questio ns and do ubts
yes
St at ist ic
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Value
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51.
56 . If yo u did no t feel adequately prepared (respo nse to questio n #55),
what do yo u think yo u needed to kno w o r hear in advance? Ho w co uld yo u have
been better info rmed and/o r prepared?
T e xt Re spo nse
n/a
na
N/A
n/a
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52.
57. Were yo u kno wledgeable abo ut yo ur USC o verseas insurance
co verage po licy?
T e xt Re spo nse
so mewhat, but never wo rried abo ut having to use it.
yes
Yes, I was fo rced to use it o nce and SOS treated me very well.
Yes, but I never actually had to use it.
yes
Yes
yes
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53.
58 . Did yo u experience any negative treatment that yo u feel was related to
yo ur ethnicity, race, natio nal o rigin, gender, sexual o rientatio n, o r religio n? If yes,
please explain:
T e xt Re spo nse
no
no t at all
No ne
No
no
No , if anything yo u will pro bably get a lo t o f po sitive treatment being a fo reigner in Taiwan.
no
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54.
59 . What was the best part o f the pro gram?
T e xt Re spo nse
cheap and go o d chinese fo o d. o verall co nvenience and ease o f life in Taipei.
Experiencing Taiwan and definitely the fo o d.
The who le experience in itself!
Getting to kno w the lo cal peo ple. It was just nice to make friends who grew up in a culture co mpletely different fro m yo urs.
Taiwan has GREAT fo o d. 24 ho ur co nvenience sto res. Making new friends and experiencing new things. Hanging o ut with peo ple in Taipei.
Everything. Ho wever the mo st memo rable parts are the things i did with my free time, including traveling, meeting new peo ple. eating in different places, enjo ying the
nightlife, etc
extracurricular activities (clubs, student o rgs)
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55.
6 0 . What was the mo st difficult part?
T e xt Re spo nse
No t so much fo r me, but perhaps the language barrier fo r o ther exchange students.
Being away fro m friends and family at ho me. I go t ho mesick really o ften. It was also harder fo r me to make friends because majo rity o f the students in my pro gram were
Euro pean. They tended to stick to gether. I made a few friends that were in EAP(which is mo stly UC kids), but it was hard to really be clo se to them because they had very
different class schedules. I had to balance the two o ut.
The language.
Fo r me, it was kno wing that I was missing o ut o n a lo t back ho me amo ng my friends and the activities I'm invo lved in back ho me.
HUMIDITY, the weather here is so humid, yo u can't get away fro m it anywhere. BUY A DEHUMIDIFIER when yo u first get here...because yo ur ro o m WILL BE DAMP
o therwise.
the language, but it was a go o d challenge since peo ple are always willing to help and yo u learn way faster than taking a co urse in LA.
studying when all yo u want to do is have fun in a different co untry
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56.
6 1. Describe a situatio n that yo u experienced as a result o f culture sho ck
o r cultural misunderstanding. Ho w did yo u reso lve it?
T e xt Re spo nse
Indirectness o f the Taiwanese peo ple; tend to be afraid o f co nfro ntatio n. It's just so mething yo u(especially Americans) have to accept and adjust to .
I suppo se I always expected Taiwan to be a rather co nservative co untry. I didn't realize that they were quite big o n gay rights. I had many enco unters with females who
dressed and acted as men. At first, I felt really o verwhelmed by the lesbian po pulatio n. But as I made mo re and mo re lo cal friends in Taiwan, I began to lo o k up to the way
they treated ho mo sexuality. It is really no different than any o ther relatio nship. I hung o ut with all so rts o f peo ple and fo und myself caring less and less abo ut o ur
differences. It was really eye o pening.
An o lder lady was asking me to put my bag o n the shelf, but I misundersto o d and tho ught she was asking "where are yo u fro m?" It was a bit awkward when I figured it o ut. It
was reso lved when I did what she asked and apo lo gized in Chinese.
I can't really think o f anything. I've definitely met a lo t o f very ethno centric Euro peans in my pro gram but o ther than that, really no cultural misunderstandings.
did no t have this experience.
So me lo cal custo ms that are different fro m o urs. I cant think o f any examples but the best way to reso lve such issues were just to o bserve and learn fro m yo ur mistakes.
As lo ng as yo u try to respect their culture they will respect yo u fo r trying.
n/a
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57.
6 2. Describe so mething that yo u are pro ud o f having acco mplished during
yo ur stay.
T e xt Re spo nse
Partying a lo t and enjo ying myself while in Taipei.
I fo und a place where I can say is truly a ho me away fro m ho me.
Several different business o ppo rtunities have o pened up, o ne which might be starting very so o n. Also glad that I was expo sed to the language, and ho pe to learn mo re
Chinese.
Just having to step o ut o f my co mfo rt zo ne, o f having to find o ut what kind o f perso n I am when put in fo reign situatio ns.
met a lo t o f Taiwanese celebrities
Talking to the lo cals, making many lo cal friends, and emerging myself in their culture. My mo st valuable learning experiences came after i started dating a lo cal taiwanese
girl. that allo wed me to really expo se myself to their custo ms and values.
filmed Taiwanese variety sho ws every week, and wo rked as film crew fo r 2 mo vie sho o tings.
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58.
6 3. What do yo u wish yo u had kno wn abo ut befo re leaving?
T e xt Re spo nse
Strict po licies in the do rms.
no t that I can think o f
I liked being expo sed to everything fo r the first time, so I can't co mment o n this o ne.
Just to remember to really take pictures o f everything, cause I didn't really take aro und my camera the first few weeks I was here and really regret it.
Yo u can pretty much get a mattress here fo r free if yo u arrive earlier (previo us exchange students leave them here). No need to bring a bed/bedding...
no thing in particular
n/a
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59.
6 4. Do yo u have any travel tips to share?
T e xt Re spo nse
See the rest o f Taiwan.
Bring tissue/to ilet paper everywhere (many bathro o ms do n't carry it), trash cans are very very rare, o nly take the taxi if yo u have to , travel within taiwan using the bus system
(way cheaper), try everything, do n't talk and laugh to o lo udly (I go t shushed quite o ften)
Try to get expo sed as much as yo u can to the lo cal culture/fo o d. There are a lo t o f places to visit in Taiwan itself as well, so do n't feel pressure to just travel abro ad.
Stay o pen-minded and do n't be afraid to try so mething new.
Unless yo u are super friendly/happy all the time/easygo ing/just do n't care...travel in smaller gro ups. Larger gro ups tend to have co o rdinatio n issues and yo u may no t be
able to see/acco mplish what yo u want. So keep the travel gro ups to sizes o f 2-4 (maybe 5) peo ple fo r maximum enjo yment. Also , unless yo u are go ing to a to urist
HOTSPOT such as Kenting, there is no need to really bo o k a ho tel befo rehand o r anything. Ho using is incredibly easy to find/cheaper o n the fly. Just pack up and GO!
Yo u will mo st likely be living/interacting with a lo t o f internatio nal students (especially since mo st internatio nal students live in the same do rm). It is fun to be their friends
and hang o ut with them, but i URGE yo u to detach yo urself fro m the internatio nal friend gro ups and be with the lo cals! that is ho w yo u will truly learn abo ut the culture, eat
new things, go to amazing no n-turisty places that yo u wo uldnt be able to find o ut abo ut them o therwise, and help yo u learn their language! ho pefully yo u kno w this but also
be aware that taiwan uses traditio nal mandarin and china uses simpified mandarin.
n/a
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60.
6 5. What wo uld yo u like to say to the students go ing after yo u?
T e xt Re spo nse
I was o verall satisfied with the pro gram. If learning o r being expo sed to Mandarin is a majo r o bjective, then this is the best Marshall IEP fo r yo u (even better than Singapo re
I'd assume).
Do n't be afraid to just take it all in. The peo ple who really missed o ut were the o nes who stuch with o nly the familiar. Taipei has so much to o ffer if yo u just step o ut o f yo ur
co mfo rt zo ne. 9 9 % peo ple are nice(except when they are driving).
Yo u'll definitely have a go o d time.
Taiwan is amazing, as I'm sure anywhere yo u decide to go wo uld be! Try everything o nce - yo u're studying abro ad! It's a o nce in a lifetime o ppo rtunity. Do things o ut o f
yo ur co mfo rt zo ne and yo u'll have the time o f yo ur life.
Take advantage o f EVERY o ppo rtunity, even if yo u aren't sure yo u will enjo y it at first. Yo u may even surprise yo urself. See if yo u can find a lo cal friend who kno ws when
Taiwanese reality TV sho ws are filming. They are FREE to go to and incredibly fun. Who kno ws, yo u may even get famo us.
2 wo rds: be o pen. leave yo ur co mfo rt zo ne and explo re. Many peo ple say studying abro ad is o ne o f the best experiences o f their lives, and it will be as lo ng as yo u´re
o pen to new peo ple and new experiences. It is pro bably a go o d thing if yo u go abro ad witho ut kno wing anyo ne because it will fo rce yo u to make new friends, but if yo u
already kno w peo ple in the co untry o r go ing with yo u, make sure to also detatch yo urself fro m them so metimes
have fun! use yo ur USC co nnectio ns.
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61.
6 6 . Any final tho ughts...
T e xt Re spo nse
Pass yo ur classes and have fun!
Yo u'll lo ve it there. It's o ne o f tho se ho t spo ts that are really under the radar. Yo u can enjo y a great new cultural experience in a up and co ming natio n that hasn't beco me
o verly co mmercialized. It's a city that keeps culture clo se to its heart when co nsidering expanding into a greater natio n.
Great experience, thanks again fo r the o ppo rtunity!
Have the time o f yo ur life!
COME TO TAIWAAAAANNN!!!
feel free to co ntact me fo r any additio nal info rmatio n.
Do n't party to o much...
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