Natalie Schumacher

From A Mandarin Learner to A Medical Student

My journey in Taiwan began in 2019 as a high school exchange student. During this initial visit, I was fascinated by this country and fell in love with the culture, the people, the food, and the language. This fascination drew me back in 2022, initially to improve my Mandarin skills at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU). My experience was so enjoyable that I decided to take a leap and apply for a medicine program. There are many scholarships and other programs for international students in Taiwan, which makes studying here very attractive.

Choosing NCKU: A Blend of History, Culture, and Academic Excellence

NCKU is located in the southern city of Tainan, the ancient capital of Taiwan and a city rich with Taiwan's history, culture, and traditions. People are friendly, it’s sunny all year round, and life is chaotic in a fantastic way. The vibe is right, and I can enjoy my free time here, as well as study in many cute cafes that are hidden in Tainan's alleys.

NCKU is a school renowned for its high-quality education, and its medicine program especially has a lot to offer. With the College of Medicine located in the same building as the University Hospital, there are many chances for us students to get in touch with the doctors, do internships, and talk with older students or graduates if we have any questions.

The Guangfu campus (光復校區) has become my favorite part of NCKU. There are a few nice spots for sunny picnics on the weekends with my cat, and I also like to go for a run around the campus or on the sports field from time to time. Also, there’s the Cheng Kung lake, the Little West Gate (小西門), and a very large and shady Banyan tree. NCKU has a very nice campus. Although it has a big campus, all parts are very accessible by bike and scooter, and it is located right next to the Tainan train station.

The Taiwan Experience: Community and Opportunities

What I love most about studying and living in Taiwan is the strong sense of community—the sense of community you get as being part of a school, a major, a class, a club, and many more. From day one, there have always been people that I could reach out to if I had any questions and that would help me with any problem. It’s really easy to make friends and find like-minded people with similar interests as yourself. There are many activities that you can join and projects you can partake in. It is also really easy to find cool places that you could go to and explore on the weekends, such as hiking trails, beaches, fairs, markets, and cute cafes.

I have joined NCKUMCC (成杏 Chengxin), the choir of the College of Medicine, and participated in their performances and projects. I played in their freshman musical and learned a lot about performing and my own voice. I’ve participated in the choir’s elementary school music outreach program and welcomed and performed with an American choir at our school. It is very inspiring to be around many talented, smart, and kind people in this club.

Recommending Taiwan: A Slice of Paradise

Living in Taiwan has allowed me to experience a rich tapestry of cultural festivals and traditions. Taiwan's culture is very rich, and for me, as a European who has never been in touch with Eastern cultures before coming here, it is very exciting to explore the festivals and its traditions. I feel like food is always a big part of any festival here, such as eating moon cake for the Moon Festival or zhongzi (粽子, sticky rice dumplings) for the Dragon Boat Festival. I have had the chance to experience these festivals with Taiwanese host families or my boyfriend’s family, which gave me a very authentic glimpse into what these festivals are all about.

I would recommend my friends and family to come to Taiwan because of how good the food is, how friendly the people are, how beautiful the scenery, and how nice the weather is. Coming from a very rainy country, living in Tainan is like being on vacation all the time.

Future Aspirations: A World of Possibilities

My Mandarin learning journey began in 2019 during my first visit to Taiwan. After a year of intensive Mandarin courses at NCKU's Chinese Language Center before starting my undergraduate studies, my Mandarin has improved significantly. However, I acknowledge that there's still much to learn, especially considering my aspirations to work with patients in Taiwanese hospitals in the future. The supportive environment provided by my classmates and teachers has been invaluable. Despite making mistakes, I feel grateful for the encouragement and help I receive.

Upon my graduation and if I pass all the tests, I will have a Taiwanese doctor's license, which would give me the chance to go through residency in Taiwan and become a doctor. However, I'm also considering pursuing residency or further education, such as a Ph.D., in another country before potentially returning to Taiwan later in life. With six years of study ahead of me, these decisions remain in the distant future as I embark on this exciting journey in medicine and cultural exploration.