Sayaka Oikawa, 1st year student, Faculty of Science and Engineering
[Study Abroad First] National Kaohsiung University (Taiwan)
[Study Abroad Period] September 2017 to June 2018
My name is Sayaka Oikawa, and I am currently studying abroad at Kaohsiung University.
Kaohsiung is located in southern Taiwan and is considered the second largest city in the country. It's a very lively city with many morning and night markets. Recently, there has been an increase in trendy cafes and restaurants that are popular with young people and are perfect for Instagram photos. Kaohsiung is warm all year round, so you can eat a variety of fruits at any time. From April to around October, you can live in short sleeves, and from around November it gradually starts to get cooler. When I first came here to study, I was surprised by the heat. Also, in Taiwan, you can find Japanese and Korean products in almost every store, and you often see Japanese on signs and advertisements.
Kaohsiung University's new academic year begins in September. It has five faculties, and the campus is very large. Therefore, students often travel between faculties by bicycle. I got the impression that Kaohsiung University students are serious and highly independent. Also, the relationship between professors and students is close, creating a very conducive learning environment. Since most students are interested in or like Japan, I made friends very quickly.
In addition to university classes, you can also take Chinese language classes at the language center. These classes are tailored to your language level, so even those who have never studied Chinese before can easily learn from scratch.
The area around the university is safe, and there are large supermarkets and restaurants, making it a comfortable place to live. Transportation and food costs are low, making it a student-friendly city. Taiwanese food is truly delicious in every way; you'll never get tired of it. And it's cheap!
However, life in Taiwan isn't all smooth sailing; there are some challenges. Regarding the food, in southern Taiwan, the teas available in shops and other establishments are almost exclusively sweet. Also, I feel like there's a greater proportion of oily dishes compared to Japan. But the food is so delicious that I tend to overeat and gain weight…
Studying in Taiwan offers more than just learning Chinese; it also allows you to experience the lives and culture of local people, something you wouldn't learn just by visiting Taiwan as a tourist. Furthermore, the numerous opportunities to interact with people from various countries make it an ideal environment for learning English. Through my study abroad experience, I learned about cultural differences and how things I previously took for granted aren't always the norm. I want to make the rest of my study abroad period a fruitful one.
