Ainal Akmal

Experience in Taiwan

I’d like to experience being a student at a university in a different country, as I believe it will add positive value to my experiences. Learning something new is always interesting for me, and experiencing different cultures, customs, foods, and cities will be a nice memory to remember. Living in Taiwan as an Indonesian and a Muslim is convenient. There are many Indonesians living in Taiwan, either as workers or students, making social living not as hard as it might seem. There are some restaurants that have Muslim-friendly certificates, and in the campus environment, professors and school officers really care about us, which makes us feel safe and comfortable.

First Impressions and Travels in Taiwan

Taiwan has impressed me with its magnificent cities and convenient public transportation. It’s amazing how disciplined people are in handling waste to protect the earth, and I admire how Taiwan controls the pandemic situation. I’ve traveled several times and particularly like Taipei because of its many destinations. Last winter, I visited places like the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, Xiang Shan hiking trail, and Jiufen. The cherry blossoms, the view from Xiang Shan, and the authentic tea at Jiufen were all memorable. In Kaohsiung, my favorite place is the Wei Wu Ying Center for the Arts, with its sophisticated design and the vast, soothing park surrounding it.

Academic and Extracurricular Activities

Studying mechanical engineering at Cheng Shiu University through the 2+I industry-academia program has been fulfilling. I chose this university because the scholarship I received was from this campus, and I was attracted to its advanced facilities and special programs. Every semester, I’ve mostly achieved the best grades in my class, which is satisfying. As an international student, I’ve participated in various events, like the Songkran festival from Thailand and a light festival featuring various countries. I also had the chance to introduce Indonesian culture by performing a traditional dance at the CSU anniversary ceremony.

Language and Cultural Adaptation

The biggest challenge I’ve faced is the language barrier, as I had never learned Mandarin before, which is considered a difficult language. To overcome this, I’ve had to study harder, sacrificing some leisure time for Mandarin exercises. Learning how to speak Mandarin is very important to live in Taiwan, as it makes it easier to make friends and learn more about the country. Taiwan also accommodates English speakers, but understanding the local language and culture is essential when living abroad.

Future Plans and Advice

After graduation, I plan to work in Indonesia with the skills I learned in Taiwan, as the company I interned with has offered me a position to develop their branch there. To fellow students considering studying in Taiwan, I advise learning Mandarin and embracing the opportunity to learn about Taiwan’s culture, technology, and customs.