Nguyen Ngoc Thao

Choosing Taiwan for Higher Education

When it came to choosing where to study, I decided on Taiwan because it's geographically close to Vietnam, which makes traveling easier and more convenient. Culturally, it's also more familiar compared to Western countries, so the change feels smoother. Another big factor was the reasonable cost of living and the wide range of scholarships available—many of which are accessible and supportive for international students.

As a geology major, Taiwan is an especially exciting place to study. Its active geological setting makes it an ideal setting for hands-on learning and research. On top of that, being able to learn from experienced professors and access modern research facilities really helped confirm that Taiwan was the right choice for my graduate studies.

NCU and Applied Geology

My advisor, who first inspired me to pursue research, played a big role in my decision to enroll in this program. In addition, NCU is one of the top universities in Taiwan for geology, and what really drew me in was the chance to learn from professors who are leading experts in the field. Their knowledge and experience were a major factor in my decision to study at NCU. On top of that, the university offers scholarships that are not only generous but also accessible, which made the opportunity even more appealing. 

On the campus, I find NCU's library services very useful—the fact that they allow students to download research papers, books, and newspapers for free is really great. But what I like the most on NCU campus is the school cafeteria—I'm a foodie, so I really appreciate how diverse and rich the food options are. Plus, there's a student discount, which makes it even better!

Learning Experiences and Resources

After joining my program, what excited me most—aside from studying and doing research—was the chance to learn a new language, Mandarin Chinese. Being in such an international learning environment also gave me opportunities to interact with students from all over the world, which sometimes even let me pick up bits of other languages like French and Japanese. I even had the opportunity to spend three months in France to conduct research and process samples for my project.

It's true that I often find it challenging to use Mandarin in the right context because I don't fully understand the deeper meanings behind some words. Fortunately, NCU regularly offers free language courses to help us improve our Mandarin skills in all four areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Future Plans and Advice

Through my time studying at NCU, I think I've become more patient and courageous through time. I also hope to stay in Taiwan and work after graduation. Studying and working in an international environment will likely be a strong asset for my future career.

My advice for international students is that if you're unsure about something or don't know, don't hesitate to ask. It's important to seek help when needed, whether it's about academics, culture, or everyday life. The more you engage, the more you'll learn and grow, both personally and academically.