Nguyen Minh Duy

Taiwan and NTUT Industrial Engineering and Management

I've always been interested in learning Mandarin Chinese, so when I was 18, I decided to come to Taiwan. I wanted to improve my Mandarin skills and also to gain more knowledge in different fields.

A friend once told me that NTUT has abundant academic resources, which sparked my interest in the university. Not only are the on-campus facilities well-equipped, but the school also collaborates with many overseas universities, providing us with more opportunities for exchange programs and global learning. These were the main reasons that attracted me to NTUT.

As said, I wanted to challenge myself by trying out a field I hadn't been involved in before. The industrial engineering and management program gave me a great opportunity to explore new areas, learn more, and gain insight into different career paths.

I find the NTUT library resources incredibly helpful and practical. It offers a wide range of Chinese and English books, as well as access to many online databases and academic journals, which are especially useful for writing papers or conducting research. I often use the library space and resources to study, which has also improved my time management skills.

Mandarin Learning Challenges

In the beginning, I found tones and writing in Mandarin particularly difficult. The four tones were easy to confuse, and Chinese characters are not as intuitive to memorize as phonetic languages. 

Fortunately, the university offers many resources to help, such as Mandarin classes tailored to the needs of international students. These classes systematically cover pronunciation, listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Campus Activities and Leadership Experience

During my time in Taiwan, I actively participated in various on- and off-campus events. I joined several cultural exchange activities and volunteered as a host for international guests. These experiences helped me practice my Mandarin, improve my communication skills, and better understand Taiwanese culture and social interactions. I've also joined clubs like badminton and golf. These are hobbies of mine, and I often participate in club activities with other students.

In addition, I took part in several meaningful roles and projects—such as being a Quanta International Student Ambassador, translator, and teaching both Vietnamese and Chinese to promote cultural and language exchange. I also served as president of the Vietnamese Student Association (for two terms), department student association president, tennis club president, and vice president of the international student association. These roles taught me teamwork and leadership skills and gave me the chance to collaborate with various companies, helping to match talent and expand my practical experience and professional network.

While these may not be seen as major accomplishments by everyone, every experience has taught me a lot and had a profound impact on my personal growth and future development.

Personal Growth and Aspirations

The biggest growth I've experienced is in becoming more independent and learning how to manage my own life. Moving away from home to live in a completely new environment was a huge challenge. It wasn't just the language—I had to handle everything on my own, from renting a place and cooking to organizing my time and daily life.

I plan to pursue further studies and work toward a Ph.D. after graduating from the current program. Eventually, I hope to become an associate professor.

Advice for Prospective International Students

If any international students are considering studying in Taiwan, I would strongly encourage them to go for it. Taiwan is a very friendly and safe place, with a great academic environment. Professors and staff are always willing to help international students adjust to both their studies and daily life.