Joenilo II Esperas Paduhilao

Taiwan as a Higher Education Destination

I chose to study in Taiwan because of the scholarship opportunities, the interesting culture, and the progressive environment it has to offer such as its quality healthcare system. I used to study Mandarin Chinese as one of my hobbies during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and when I got a scholarship opportunity, I thought that studying in Taiwan will not only allow me to experience Taiwanese culture but also receive quality education from a prestigious university.

Bioinformatics and Genomics at NTU

National Taiwan University is the top university in Taiwan. The quality of education is top-notch, the laboratory facilities are good, and resources are known to be well-provided, there is a wide variety of research areas, and the professors are well-known in their respective fields through their publications in high-impact journals. The field (bioinformatics and genomics) that I wanted to pursue was well-advertised and most importantly, the university offers generous scholarships, including my current scholarship called NTU-SEARCA joint scholarship, a collaboration between NTU and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).

The program structure included courses that I wanted to specialize in which are bioinformatics and genomics. Courses related to this field are not commonly offered in most universities in Southeast Asia and if they are offered, most of the time these are only focused on the theoretical aspect and only limited in the practical side. When I saw the program structure, I was convinced that it will give me both the knowledge and skills necessary for my career goals. In addition, the professors also did several research projects that I was interested in, and this was quite important when selecting programs for my master's. Lastly, the program is English-taught, which reduces the language barrier.

While studying in Taiwan, I have delivered several seminars or talks about my own thesis. For instance, I presented my thesis online to the Plant Informatics Society of Japan composed of prominent researchers in this field last April 9, 2025. My college also hosted our annual Global ATGS workshop last August 2024 where current senior students present their current research progress. This workshop was special because the audience was composed of not just incoming students to the programs and some alumni but also visiting students from Kyushu University of Technology, Japan.

University Life and Resources

As a master's student, the library services were the most helpful. It gave us access to important resources and most importantly, NTU gives access to several high-impact journals in my field, such as Nature. I always believe that access to quality literature translates to the quality of our own research, and this played a big role in how fruitful my master’s has been so far. In addition, the laboratory resources are well-provided, such as the usage of servers and laboratory materials, which allows hands-on experience which was very useful in my learning journey.

Since I belong to the International College, I barely had a practice buddy while learning Mandarin because most of my classmates did not speak Mandarin Chinese. Thus, I think this was one of the challenges because I could not practice my Mandarin very well. The university actually offers Mandarin Chinese courses that graduate students can be a part of without cost for the 1st year! I think this was a great opportunity.

My favorite spot on campus is definitely the Drunken Moon Lake! There are so many things one can do around that area. Aside from the relaxing scenery of the lake and the ducks, the place is quite spacious enough for me to do some exercises. There are also nearby exercise parks with pull-up bars that I really like to use. During the night time, strolling or just sitting on the benches is a good time to just relax and unwind from a very busy day.

Personal Growth in Taiwan

During my time in Taiwan, I have become more independent. In research, I was trained to handle my research project independently with good guidance from my adviser. In my daily life, living on my own here in Taiwan was enjoyable because of the accessible amenities and convenient services such as transportation and the health insurance system. Traveling around the country was also convenient, so this taught me the courage to go to far areas without worries.

After I graduate in Taiwan, I plan to pursue a PhD in a different country. During my PhD interview, I highlighted my experience in Taiwan, the research that I did at NTU, the qualities that I value when working with other teams, and the growth that I have received while studying at Taiwan. It made a significant contribution to how I have become an aspiring scientist within the span of 2 years!

Advice for Prospective International Students

Taiwan is a good country to study in. Aside from being an ideal place to study Mandarin Chinese, the support that we receive from the school/government is tremendous! So, study hard, get good grades to qualify for scholarships, and be open to a multi-cultural environment. Do not forget to polish your command in English as well because communication skills are also key in maximizing one's time here in Taiwan. This country has so many to offer aside from quality education! So do not hold back and strive for excellence to secure these opportunities here in Taiwan.