Sihle Happy Dlamini

My name is Sihle Happy Dlamini, and I am from Eswatini, a small country in southern Africa. I am 28 years old and have been living in Tainan, Taiwan, since September 2019. I am a second-year master’s student at National Cheng Kung University, majoring in nursing. My research interests are HIV/AIDS, and I am in the final stages of completing my research project.

I come from a family of seven, including my mom, three sisters, and two brothers. My family is a significant support for my mental health. My hobbies, which help me stay motivated, relaxed, and productive, include reading, writing, making videos, taking pictures, singing, and travelling. I enjoy sharing my experiences in Taiwan and other Asian countries on my social media platforms.

Master’s Program Experience

I am enrolled in a two-year Master of International Advanced Program in Nursing, covering various subjects. I have particularly enjoyed the nursing practicum and nursing research courses. The exposure I got at NCKU Hospital is one that I wouldn’t have had an opportunity to experience had I not come to study in Taiwan. Some of the places I have visited include the sleep ward, gerontology ward, maternity ward, pediatric ward, neonatal ICU, emergency ward. The exposure and learning opportunities at NCKU Hospital have been highlights of my study.

The second most enjoyed course is nursing research. As a novice researcher I have developed my research skills through the resources offered by the NCKU library. This is not only limited to courses; it also extends to online data bases. NCKU offers unlimited access to reputable electronic databases such as Medline, Embase, Cochrane among others. Additionally, we have access to plagiarism checker systems which encourages original writing. Over the last years, I have developed a good understanding of the importance of scientific nursing research, evidence-based health care, and doing a research project from start to finish.

Comparison with Home Country

Taiwan, being a developed country, offers a more advanced education system compared to Eswatini. The use of technology, availability of resources, and the practical learning environment in Taiwan significantly differ from the traditional and resource-limited setting in Eswatini.

When it comes to practicum in Taiwan, the skills lab and simulation room is large enough and fully equipped with equipment and machinery necessary for students to practice their clinical skills. In the simulation lab, I had an experience with a high-tech patient simulator, for the very first time. In my country there are no simulation labs nor patient simulator manikins. This means students do not have enough preparation for the hospital setting regarding critical thinking and making sound clinical judgment which comes with practice on patient simulator manikins.

Challenges and Future Plans

The primary challenge I faced was navigating university websites in Chinese. After completing my studies, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in nursing and eventually return to Eswatini to contribute to the education system there. Despite appreciating Taiwan, I do not plan to stay due to language barriers and perceived limited job opportunities in my field for non-Mandarin speakers.

Benefits of Studying in Taiwan

Studying in Taiwan has enhanced my career prospects, provided me with international exposure, and improved my interpersonal skills. It has also equipped me with cultural awareness and adaptability, valuable for my future career.

Achievements and Advice

In Taiwan, I have gained significant knowledge and skills in scientific nursing research and have been involved in extracurricular activities like video making. My advice to future international students is to be financially, academically, and mentally prepared, familiarize themselves with the new environment, and try to connect with fellow countrymen in Taiwan.