Teguh Gumilar

Choosing Taiwan for Higher Education

I chose to study in Taiwan due to its excellent secondary education system, which aligns with my goal of becoming a science teacher in Indonesia. I believe having the opportunities to observe how secondary education works in Taiwan will help me with my goal. Also, Taiwan offers a world-class education system, and receiving a scholarship from NTUST fulfilled my dream of studying abroad in a country with an advanced education system.

Academic Focus and Learning Achievements

My choice of the Graduate Institute of Digital Learning and Education (GIDLE) was driven by its potential to help me, as a future science teacher, to maximize digital tools and educational technology in improving teaching quality in Indonesia. The research topics in this department are particularly interesting. The greatest learning achievement for me in the past six months has been understanding Taiwan’s school culture, environment, and student characteristics, especially from the PLG program. PLG (Project LET’S Go!) is an NPO that works with young people to help under-resourced schools in rural areas. Learning about the secondary education culture in Taiwan is a crucial part of my mission here.

Overcoming Challenges and Engaging in Cultural Experiences

The biggest challenge I faced was the language barrier for daily conversation outside the campus. Although I couldn’t speak Mandarin, translation technology on smartphones greatly aided my communication with locals. Besides studying, I travel with friends to various places to capture sunsets and participate in prayer times at a small mosque in my university. I also enjoy the international environment in every university, which supports advanced study levels.

Sharing Experiences and Career Aspirations

I always share with my family and friends back home how much I enjoy studying and living in Taiwan, making new friends from different cultural backgrounds, and engaging in various educational activities. My master’s degree will enhance my career as a science teacher and expand my knowledge of how an advanced country like Taiwan successfully manages science education. This experience is pivotal for my mission to learn and experience better science education abroad before returning to Indonesia to contribute to the education sector.

Future Plans and Comparisons with Home Country

I plan to work as a science teacher in an international school in Taiwan to further my experience and learning in science education. The education system in Taiwan is impressively advanced, from elementary to higher education. The school facilities and the international environment in universities here are much better than in my home country, offering me valuable learning opportunities. My experience in Taiwan is significantly different from that in my home country in terms of teaching quality, environment, school equipment, and facilities.