Nguyen Le Dang Khoa

Choosing Taiwan for Academic Pursuits

Taiwan has offered me two most notable things that have enabled my academic career: the Taiwan MOE scholarship, which allows me to focus on my academic development, and the research topic regarding Taiwan's social, civil, and political resilience. The former aspect covers many of my concerns and enables living, while the latter gives me resources, people, and stories that would otherwise be difficult to attain outside of Taiwan. Taiwan was also my topic of thesis back in Vietnam, and upon receiving the MOE scholarship, I knew this was where I truly belong for my undergraduate studies.

International Relations at TKU

I chose Tamkang University because the university offers one of the strongest international relations programs in Taiwan, and the best English-taught degree in the field. Located in Taipei, the school is also close to many civil societies, think tanks, and research institutes, and many research opportunities. It was thanks to this location that I have access to internship programs all over Taipei and developed my research skills.

Another crucial aspect is the academic reputation of Tamkang. It is one of the highest ranked domestically for social sciences, and I can definitely feel the support from the academic and administrative teams to enable the most learning possible.

I enrolled in the international relations program because it offers me a complete view of the political, social, and cultural life of Taiwan and its engagement with the world. I have long been interested in Taiwan's very memorable iconographies, from the milk tea to the Taiwan Can Help campaign during Covid-19. These were incredible demonstrations of Taiwan's soft power, and it was precisely my topic of interest when I was in Vietnam. Since then, the decision to study in Taiwan in the field of international relations was not a difficult one. The department also has formal internship contracts with various research institutes, which has equipped me greatly with the knowledge and skills necessary for later studies.

University Resources and Support

I think the place I frequent the most at Tamkang is definitely the library. It has one of the most comprehensive selections of books in the field, and I believe that anytime I need inspiration or resources for my studies, I would immediately have access without issue. With materials that the school does not have yet, the inter-library service and the book purchase requests have always allowed me to have access to academic resources without much delay.

The professors are also very accommodating, and offer many chances for conversation, discussion, and development outside of class. Anytime I needed assistance with studies, research, or work, professors and departmental assistants are always quick to assist me.

I believe the hardest part was the language aspect. I am not really good at Chinese, as both the characters and the sounds are sometimes very new to me. Thus, the process of acquiring elementary levels was the hardest.

However, the university offers formal Mandarin classes to develop my basic abilities, as well as night classes if I want to advance in my language learning. These have always been very accessible for me to develop and learn Chinese. The TKU Chat Corner is another great source, as I would receive help from peers to practice everyday.

My favorite locations on campus, in addition to the library, are the rooftop on the international conference building and the tea garden. The rooftop on the international conference hall is a cool and open space that often has very few visitors, and a great place where I often come to collect my thoughts or just observe the scenery from above. The tea garden is a peaceful place that I would often find when I wanted somewhere open yet calming to relax.

Opportunities and Personal Growth

Studying in Taiwan has granted me many opportunities. One of the first things that I experienced in Taiwan was the National Central Library 2024 Reading Fair, which was my first volunteer event in Taiwan. This helped me connect with kids with a passion for reading and connect them with my home culture at the Vietnamese booth.

Other than that, I have been awarded top-student of the department for three consecutive semesters, and alongside that some academic opportunities. I was given the chance to intern at various institutions, such as the European Union Centre in Taiwan, the European Values Centre, and currently as a research assistant. These have built and strengthened my profile, which helped me secure a summer research fellowship at the National University of Singapore, with only 30 slots for over 7000 applicants. I believe my unique experience and background in Taiwan helped me achieve these goals.

All in all, I believe I have gained the most in academic development since studying Taiwan. With the ease of accessibility to academic materials, I can constantly develop my growth. The academic freedom and encouragement of the professors to build a diverse, yet critical, atmosphere helps hone my critical thinking and formal academic inquiries in later research. These have helped me to develop research skills, which is necessary for my higher studies.

Future Plans and Aspirations

I will further explore my higher studies opportunities in both Taiwan and globally. I will be applying to various scholarships and programs, but given my connection to here, I do wish to further my studies at top universities in Taiwan. Still, regardless of my direction, my research interests still remain the topic of Taiwan, and the chance to experience the life here directly will certainly equip me with the insights and connections for future research. The active academic sphere of Taiwan, with many international conferences and research funds for students, will certainly help me develop the necessary skills for higher studies.

Advice for Prospective International Students

I believe that the most important thing when in Taiwan is to experience the various opportunities and paths, since I believe the environment here gives students a chance for experimentation. You are given the freedom to explore what you want in any field, to go into industry or focus on your academic careers. Thus, use all the available resources to you and explore what is your preferred path, and your 2 to 4 years in Taiwan will certainly give you enough experience both for you to decide and develop a competitive profile for your commitment to your path.