Mycah Gillian Yao

Taking A Break To Study

I am pursuing a Global MBA at National Taiwan University, mostly because I wanted to take a break from work while simultaneously doing something worthwhile. By studying, I can go back to the theoretical side of things and at the same time relate them to the practical knowledge I gained from work. I would describe myself as a very random yet organized person. I have a plan that I intend to pursue, but my curiosity doesn’t let me pass by other doors that might open. Something personal? Well, I would say that I have peculiar food preferences. For example, I eat pickled cucumbers in a jar, yet I dislike the taste of fresh cucumbers, even though they’re almost the same, aren’t they?

When I graduated and was job-hunting, I informed my interviewers or potential managers about my plan. I wanted to study again at some point in my life and to do so in another country. The questions were just when and where. I considered Singapore or maybe Hong Kong. But, during my short-term assignment in Taiwan, it suddenly struck me: why hadn’t I thought of this before? I had been to Taiwan several times, liked the environment, and could improve my Mandarin (since I had no choice but to use it here). The education is great, and it’s very close to my country; it was just perfect. That’s when I started searching for universities and finally had the courage to apply. The rest is history.

GMBA at NTU

I am currently enrolled in the GMBA program. I guess I would say it’s not the typical MBA, as we are a very diverse group. This isn’t really new to me, as I was a business major and have worked with people from different countries. However, a significant difference is studying with people from various countries and backgrounds. It is very interesting to learn new perspectives. The electives in this program are quite engaging as well, providing real-life business world examples and helping us think outside the box in many aspects, such as marketing, advertising, and data science. Overall, I have mostly enjoyed meeting new friends and sharing my experiences with everyone.

The most important achievement I have reached is being accepted as a teaching assistant, even though I still lack experience and was quite lost. I overcame those challenges while taking a full load of credits. On a personal level, my achievement would be stepping out of my comfort zone, opening up more, and participating actively.

Comparison

In the Philippines, being an Asian country as well, the student and teacher stereotypes are mostly the same, with classes usually being quiet and more focused on academic lectures. The main difference, I would say, is the government’s support for education and the quality of equipment and facilities. In the Philippines, if you don’t have enough money, you might have to stop studying and just work. But here, the government and schools offer many financial assistance and scholarship opportunities for students. There is encouragement and support for us international students. The equipment and facilities here demonstrate that Taiwan is indeed a great country for studying. The classrooms are well-equipped with the technology needed for comfortable study sessions.

Difficulties & Challenges

I think the greatest challenge was applying to the universities here due to the requirements. I was still working at the time, often doing overtime. I completed the applications in my most tired state, just wanting to finish everything before the deadline. I rushed through it and hoped for the best. Eventually, I was accepted at both universities I applied to and am very grateful for that. What kept me sane at the time was the thought that this was the biggest investment I would be making, and I didn’t want to waste my hard-earned money by submitting poor applications. That mindset did the trick, as here I am now.

Future Plan

Studying in Taiwan can benefit me in many ways. Being abroad gives you a perspective you can’t get studying in your own country. I don’t have any relatives here, so being independent also helps me a lot in determining if I can handle things alone, work with new people, and adapt. It will give me new life skills that I can apply anywhere, helping me grow and mature. Transitioning from student to employee and back to student has given me the challenge of whether I can do this all over again. This experience will help me in the future at work when I might need to suddenly change careers or positions.

Honestly, I don’t plan to stay in Taiwan after finishing my degree. I intend to return to my country, find a job, and eventually start a business with some friends. However, I am open to staying if there are opportunities here. So far, I have a very flexible plan. I think I want to return to the Philippines because my family is there, and I believe it would be better to work in your own country. I want to support my home using the experiences I’ve gained from living and studying here. I know there are many opportunities out there, but the Philippines is home.

Advice for Prospective Students

I encourage you to consider Taiwan, especially if you’re already in Asia. It’s close to home, people are friendly, you learn a new language, and transportation is convenient. While studying, you can also explore a lot of places as long as you manage your time well. If you think your Mandarin is not good enough, don’t worry. People are willing to help, especially your classmates, professors, and essentially everyone at school. My advice is to try and ask around, maybe visit the campus. If you like it, then go for it. If not, then don’t force yourself. The main thing is that you are happy to try something new and have the courage to be independent, so that you can have a wonderful experience.