Student Travel to Taiwan – Things To Know
When considering a student travel to Taiwan, there are a few things to think about. Some of these include public transportation, study tour programs, overseas compatriot youth, and earthquakes and tsunamis. Take advantage of a student flights offer from Cathay Pacific to get there and enjoy the following.
Study Tour program
The Taiwan Study Tour is a program operated by the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) that is designed to introduce students to the culture, history, and environment of Taiwan. It is one of many “expatriate” programs run by OCAC.
The first official Study Tour was held in 1967, and it enrolled 70-100 participants from North America and Canada. The OCAC study tour has gone through many changes throughout the years, a few of them being related to the changing economy and politics of Taiwan.
In 1966, the study tour was a mere experimental program. During the ’60s, the Taiwanese government decided to sponsor a program to help overseas Chinese acquaint themselves with their homeland. Initially, it was a small-scale event that was funded by the Kuomintang Party.
Since the 1970s, the headquarters of the Taiwan Study Tour program moved to the Chien Tan Campus in Taipei. Until 2010, the program was conducted in two groups, with a maximum of 200 students.
While the Taiwan Study Tour program has undergone a number of changes, it is still an extremely valuable opportunity for the Overseas Chinese community. Besides learning about Chinese and Taiwanese culture, students also participate in charitable and cultural activities. They are also able to visit the office of the President of Taiwan.
Despite a variety of issues, the Study Tour has managed to survive numerous typhoons, missile threats, and localized disease outbreaks. This year, the Taiwan Study Tour is now a three-week long program.
Those interested in pursuing the Taiwan Study Tour should be in their final year of university. Students should also be in good health and academic standing. The program requires students to pay a registration fee. Currently, it costs NT$12,000 per person.
Overseas Compatriot Youth
Overseas Compatriot Youth (OCY) is a program offered by the Taiwan government to educate and acquaint young people of Chinese descent who live abroad with the culture and history of China. It is also a part of the effort to build a stronger bond between the government and the international Chinese community.
The first Taiwan Study Tour started in 1967 with just a handful of participants. During its heyday, this program attracted hundreds of students from around the world. This program was designed to help overseas students experience Taiwanese culture and build friendships with locals.
In 2013, the number of students attending this program decreased dramatically. There are now only three-week study tours instead of six-week trips. The Taiwan Study Tour is currently run by the Overseas Community Affairs Council.
In order to take the Taiwan Study Tour, participants must be 18-25 years old. The program includes lectures and cultural activities to teach participants about Taiwan and its history. OCAC also provides tuition subsidies to overseas students.
Although the study tour is a good program, it is not the only program that offers scholarships for Overseas Compatriot Students. For example, the Taiwanese Ministry of Education (MOE) offers a scholarship for overseas students. However, the scholarship must be applied for and approved by the MOE before April 30 of the year of study.
So, which is the best program? Well, the program with the most money spent on it is probably the Overseas Chinese Youth Language Training and Study Tour. That program was created in the late 1960s to acquaint North American born Chinese with the history and culture of their Chinese relatives living in China.
But that program had more drama than substance. Participants were required to attend lectures viewed as propaganda. Fortunately, this year’s OCAC Study Tour is not as intense. Rather, participants focus on learning about Taiwan’s culture and history while taking in the beautiful sights of Taiwan.
International Learning Companion program
If you are an international student interested in studying in Taiwan, you can enroll in an International Learning Companion program. This program is offered by the Ministry of Education and is designed to help students develop intercultural communication skills.
The program focuses on cross-cultural interactions, while strengthening independence and self-confidence. Students also build their personal connections with locals.
There are three programs to choose from, each with its own set of benefits. Each program has detailed brochures to help you make an informed decision. For more information, please contact your UMD advisor.
The International Learning Companion program pairs NTU students with rural elementary school students. This provides students with opportunities to practice Mandarin and interact with locals.
The program also offers a stipend of $900 per month. This covers the costs of meals and room and board. However, it does not cover airfare, primary insurance, or other travel expenses.
As part of your experience, you will also be required to complete an internship course. This complements on-the-job learning and gives you a deeper perspective on the experiences you have in Taiwan.
In addition to the internship component, the program will also include group projects with a Taiwan university. These projects will include a Q&A session with a monk at a Buddhist monastery and an overnight trip to the Taroko Gorge, one of Asia’s most dramatic canyons.
The program is offered during the spring and summer. It is available for students interested in studying for three, six, or twelve months.
The program is supported by a Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs grant. It is awarded to several U.S. universities, including Mississippi College, the University of California Irvine, and the University of Maryland.
Public transportation
Public transportation in Taiwan is one of the most reliable and affordable ways to get around. Most cities offer buses, trains and taxis. The most convenient way to travel is by bus, though a train can be cheaper.
Taiwan’s public transport is safe, clean and efficient. The best way to plan your travel is to buy tickets ahead of time. You can buy single ride tokens from ticketing machines located at all stations. There are also several different classes of tickets that you can purchase, based on the type of train or bus.
Buses are usually faster than trains. Some are comfortable enough to sit in for long periods of time. A ticket will only cost you about US$0.50 per ride.
Taxis are the most expensive form of public transportation. They are bright yellow, and most drivers don’t speak English. For shorter distances, you can find a taxi for about NT$70. If you want to go further, the price goes up by NT$5 every additional 0.5km.
Taiwan’s railway system has three lines running down the north coast and another two heading south. It also includes several other lines that serve southern and eastern regions. Tickets can be purchased at the stations or collected on your departure.
The Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) is the fastest way to travel between Taipei and Kaohsiung. You can purchase a single or multi-day pass. These are discounted during off-peak hours and holidays.
HSR stations are spacious, well maintained and offer free Wi-Fi. However, they are a bit slower than other forms of inter-city transport.
Despite the expense, there are no reasons to avoid taking a train. It can be very enjoyable. Also, the train is a lot more reliable than a bus.
Earthquakes, Tsunamis and Insect-Benefits affect Taiwan student travel
Taiwan is home to a number of earthquakes and tsunamis. The largest one, on May 22, 1782, was accompanied by a tsunami which flooded the island for approximately 120 kilometers. In this disaster, 281 people were killed.
Several towns and villages were wiped out by the tsunami. Other noteworthy events included the 11 March 2011 earthquake which killed an estimated 1,000 people. Hundreds more were damaged.
Taiwan is also home to the world’s largest contract chip maker, the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. This company is a critical link in the global supply chain. As such, earthquakes have the potential to severely damage their operations.
Unlike most other countries, Taiwan has been fortunate to have had little to no damage resulting from quake-induced tsunamis. But this doesn’t mean that travelers can avoid the area altogether. Travellers should be aware of potential hazards and abide by local laws.
Aside from the usual suspects, earthquakes have been known to have a negative impact on tourism. Fortunately, the hazard is confined to the north and east of the island.
While there is no definitive answer as to why there are so many earthquakes in Taiwan, researchers have uncovered some clues. One explanation is the seasonal variations in the amount of water stored in the ground. Another may be the Asian monsoon.
Despite being in an active seismic zone, Taiwan has seen no major tsunamis in the past two years. If a major earthquake strikes the island, the military will dispatch 110 troops to Hualien County on the east coast.
Considering the fact that Taiwan is home to three major cities and hundreds of smaller communities, earthquakes have the potential to cause massive damage.