Sinthia Wijaya

Choosing Taiwan & Application Process

Seeking challenges and various experiences is what I want to pursue in my life. Being surrounded by a diverse, multi-cultural environment is one of the milestones for me to achieve my goal of adapting in a global world. These are some aspects that fit in with Taiwan, a country with tremendous cultures and various people from around the world. In addition, there are a variety of scholarships that both the government and universities offer to foreign students, which was one of the encouraging factors for me to choose to study in Taiwan. Moreover, transparency and openness in Taiwan, particularly the values that build the people themselves, played a significant role in my decision on which country to choose for my higher education.

The visa application and legalization process were the biggest challenges I had to encounter when applying to study in Taiwan. It required a lot of effort, including time, money, and energy during the preparation of my student visa application and the legalization of my diploma and other documents after I got accepted at I-Shou University. I was totally afraid of being rejected because I had to go to the office of the Taiwan representative, which was far enough from my home city. Thankfully, I got my student visa and the legalization of academic documents after waiting for a while. I was fortunate enough to receive help from some of my acquaintances.

The Taiwan Education Experience

I’m studying international business administration, an English-taught program aimed at developing talents with professional knowledge, communication skills, and a global perspective for effective business management. My current subjects include international marketing, focusing on global market strategies, and operations and financial management, essential for business efficiency.

I firmly believe in continuous learning as life always teaches us new things. This motivates me during my studies, making every moment enjoyable. A memorable experience was a field trip during my first year, where we visited top companies in Tainan, Taiwan. This trip combined travel with learning and provided insights into real-time company operations.

Studying in Taiwan has allowed me to meet people from various countries, enhancing my English skills and broadening my perspective. Our diverse faculty introduces different teaching styles, contributing to my open-mindedness. The education system includes teaching surveys for course evaluation and a unique “Hands-on Together” program, where university students interact with high schoolers across Taiwan, a new and exciting experience for me.

Benefits of Studying in Taiwan & Future Plans

My education in Taiwan has been enriching academically, socially, and personally. It has enhanced both my hard and soft skills, preparing me for future changes and setting me apart in the workforce. Taiwan’s innovative culture has broadened my thinking, inspiring me to become an entrepreneur ready for global market challenges, with humility and tolerance for diversity.

After my current studies, I plan to gain work experience in Taiwan before pursuing a Master’s degree. Working in Taiwan will help me explore my passions and career goals. The country’s protective laws for foreigners, combined with the friendly culture, punctuality, and excellent infrastructure like the transportation system, make it an ideal place for my professional development.

Important Achievements

The greatest achievements in my university life so far were when I received a full scholarship from my university and some stipends from the Kaohsiung government. Furthermore, I could participate in multiple cultural events or activities both inside and outside of my college that I hadn’t imagined before. I loved the interaction with people from different nationalities and perceptions that made us complement each other. I also participated in an annual competition where all international departments sent their representatives. In my very first semester, I got second place with my teammates. I felt grateful and elated.

Advice for Prospective Students

Before coming to Taiwan, make sure that all the documents are prepared well, especially regarding the self-photo for the ARC (Alien Resident Card) application, as it has a certain size that everyone must follow. In addition, choosing the major that you are deeply interested in is one of the most important factors before applying to a university here, to avoid changing departments after a semester that you’ve already spent, which would be time-consuming and complicated. Remember, study what you love and love what you study.

Never stop trying, because it’s better if at least you try before giving up, so you will not regret anything in the future.