Alfredo Chang Lastiri

High-quality Education & Supportive Environment

I decided to study in Taiwan because it offers some of the world’s best universities with a high academic level. Additionally, I wanted to immerse myself in the Taiwanese culture, meet new people, learn Mandarin, and experience the environment and cuisine. My brother also informed me about a master's degree opportunity in my field, which further motivated my decision.

I chose the master's program in smart healthcare management because it offers numerous research opportunities and maintains a high level of academic standard. The program implements teaching innovation, ensures quality education, and boasts experienced and qualified teachers. The excellent facilities and scholarship opportunities were also significant factors in my decision.

Taiwan offers numerous benefits for international students, including safety, diverse festivals, advanced technology, and friendly people, and discipline is a strong value I see in the people of Taiwan. I love to study here because you can learn everything you want, and I particularly appreciate the supportive learning environment, where teachers encourage students to explore and improve. The country's location also makes it easy to visit nearby countries like Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.

There are a lot of interesting places on the NTPU campus. My favorite places to spend time and relax are the library, which is a great place to study; Mind Lake, for its relaxing atmosphere and beautiful view; and the main garden in front of the library, where I can enjoy nature and the calming breeze.

After graduation, I plan to enroll in a Ph.D. program in biotech and healthcare management and hope to secure a job in Taiwan.

Overcoming Challenges & Memorable Experiences

The biggest challenge I faced was the language barrier, despite knowing that all courses were taught in English. I overcame this by putting extra effort into learning, reading papers, and paying close attention to my teachers and classmates, who were very helpful. Before arriving in Taiwan, I didn't speak Mandarin. Now, my language skills have improved to the point where I can order food. I'm eager to continue learning Mandarin to become more fluent and communicate better with local people.

Some of my most memorable experiences include visiting the Lantern Festival, celebrating New Year and watching fireworks at Taipei 101, and meeting new people. I've also come to love Taiwanese cuisine, particularly tofu, bubble tea, hotpot, and ice cream. In my free time, I enjoy meeting new people, experiencing different cultures, exercising, running, participating in outdoor activities, traveling, listening to music, reading diverse books, and dancing. I also participated in a cultural language exchange activity where I had the opportunity to showcase my skills, country, and language.