Shubhra Singh

Choosing Taiwan: A Fully-Funded Adventure

I chose to study in Taiwan because of the fully funded scholarship opportunities, which make it easy to stay and study for an extended period. I received the prestigious ICDF Taiwan scholarship for my Ph.D., which takes care of everything from the moment you land here. 

I first came here as an intern during my master's in the Department of Biological Science and Technology under Dr. Douglas Shyu. The research spirit and facilities motivated me to apply for the Ph.D. program. For friends interested in studying here, I recommend the freedom and accessibility in the labs—it's pretty much everything that a Ph.D. student wants. 

The campus of NPUST is huge and beautiful, with my favorite spot being the lakeside at the very end of the school. It has a wooden house where you can watch a soothing sunset. The lake is home to fish and turtles, with a trail nearby where I like to hike on Sundays.

If I get a chance to stay after graduation, I'd like to experience the work culture here in Taiwan. The opportunities and experiences I've had so far have been invaluable, and I'm excited to see what the future holds in this vibrant country.

Embracing the Language and Culture

Before arriving in Taiwan, I had never spoken Mandarin. Although I'm now enrolled in Mandarin classes and still learning, "Woshi Yindu ren, wo xihuan Taiwancha" (I'm Indian, and I like Taiwanese tea). The greatest challenge was finding vegetarian food nearby and adjusting to the taste. Gradually, I adapted and found a few favorite eating spots.

What I love about studying and living in Taiwan is the ease and affordability of travel. Besides studying, I enjoy reading novels and making music. I have a YouTube channel where I post cover songs almost every week. I've had remarkable experiences, such as participating in a butterfly event in Maolin County, where I learned identification skills and how butterflies migrate.

I've experienced many exciting festivals in Taiwan, including the Dragon Boat Festival, traditional Hakka festival, the wonderful Lantern Festival in Kaohsiung and Tainan, the amazing Fulong Sand Sculpting Festival, and the thrilling Fireworks Festival in Tainan. For families, I suggest visiting this beautiful island to experience its rich culture.