Leong Szi Lin

Choosing Taiwan

One of the couple reasons is the tuition fees here in Taiwan is more affordable than studying in my hometown, so that serves as an important factor because I don’t come from a wealthy family. The second reason is that although most universities here have cheaper tuition fees, they provide strong and good education system and faculty, thus can help me further my education here without having to experience serious financial stress. Besides that, my Mandarin language is quite decent, which can help me to adapt the culture and environment here with ease. Last but not least, the principal from my high school also recommended us to strongly consider Taiwan as a place to further our education.

Major & School

I am a third-year student in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. This program was established to promote advanced education and research in aeronautics, astronautics, and related fields. In simpler terms, it involves designing aircraft, repairing engines, and conducting research on space shuttles and rockets, among other things. My studies require a thorough understanding of various dynamics subjects, such as thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and aerodynamics. Additionally, I need to learn about aircraft design, structures, engines, and more. What I enjoy most about my studies is the opportunity to participate in the design and creation of gliders and aircraft, rather than solely focusing on theoretical aspects. However, I know that I still have much to learn to further refine my knowledge.

Comparison

Firstly, the primary language of instruction in most Malaysian universities is English, whereas in Taiwan, Mandarin is the main teaching language at every university. Additionally, the average tuition fees in Taiwanese universities are significantly lower compared to those in Malaysian universities, including the national universities in Malaysia. Moreover, Taiwan offers a wider variety of scholarships to overseas and foreign students compared to Malaysian universities, which provide fewer scholarships for both local and international students, and these scholarships are often more difficult to apply for. My university is located in Tainan, which I find to be an excellent environment for focusing on my studies. This contrasts with many universities in Malaysia situated in urban areas, where there are more distractions that can easily sidetrack students from their studies. However, I believe this might be different for universities in areas like Taipei and Kaohsiung.

Difficulties & Challenges

In my opinion, the greatest challenge I faced when applying to study in Taiwan was that I had to write my autobiography and statement of purpose because I never gave too much thought about my study motivations and future study plan. I was applying for both National Cheng Kung University and National Tsing Hua University, and I spent a lot of effort and time in perfecting my personal statement. My high school teachers also gave me some advices in the writing process to help to perfect them.

Benefits of Studying in Taiwan & Future Plan

Personally, I believe studying in Taiwan will benefit my future career due to the interpersonal connections I’ve established with locals and individuals from other countries. These connections open many opportunities for future collaboration. Additionally, having these contacts will make it easier to seek advice or assistance when facing challenges in my career. Moreover, during my four-year study period in Taiwan, I will gain a deeper understanding of the local culture, lifestyle, and work environment, as well as the people here. I am convinced that this experience will teach me to think and respond from various perspectives and approaches when addressing or solving future challenges.

If everything goes well, I think I’ll further my education here to study for a master’s after finishing my bachelor degree. I think the overall teaching and education environment here is great and well-developed, and they can certainly help me strive for a more complete academic career. If I unfortunately missed the chance to study for further, there’s a great possibility that I’m going to stay here to look for job opportunities since the aviation and aeronautics industry is pretty developed in Taiwan.

Important Achievements

Firstly, one of my most important achievements is my personal growth. I have become a more mature person compared to who I was a few years ago and have developed a better understanding of myself. I’ve learned to be independent, not relying too much on my parents, because studying overseas means handling almost everything by myself in a new and unfamiliar environment. Second, I believe my communication skills have improved over the past few years. I can now interact with people more comfortably, which is a significant change from my previously shy nature. Lastly, an important achievement I’ve attained is good time management skills. I’ve learned to prioritize what’s important and urgent, allowing me to complete my assignments, projects, and work on time. I believe these skills are crucial for every student.

Advice for Prospective Students

Based on my experience, I would strongly advise prospective students to deeply consider studying in Taiwan. The education system here is well-developed yet still offers relatively low tuition fees at most universities. It’s important to make necessary comparisons between schools and countries and to consider their family’s financial capability before deciding whether to study in Taiwan, abroad, or stay in Malaysia. For those who decide to come to Taiwan, I recommend staying open-minded and ready to embrace new changes. This will help in adapting more quickly to the local environment and culture. Lastly, there are many types of scholarships and student loans available in Taiwan to assist foreign students and alleviate their financial burden. Therefore, students from less privileged backgrounds should not worry excessively about financial issues.