An Intensive, Immersive, and Unforgettable Semester in Taipei

When looking at study abroad programs, I wanted something that provided both intensive language study and an internship experience. The three-part structure of CET Taiwan — language courses with ICLP, an internship tailored to your interests, and shared housing with both Taiwanese and international students — exceeded my expectations for study abroad programs, and the excellent CET faculty complemented the courses with their enthusiasm and support.

Even though I was the only student to attend the first CET Taiwan fall session, I found community in the other students in my share house and courses. ICLP is one of the best Mandarin language study facilities, and I shared classes with graduate students and professionals from countries like Sweden and Belgium. Capped at five students per class, the language courses are personalized and directly applicable to your conversations outside of the classroom. The CET internship class helped me organize my thoughts and experiences, teaching me new ways to record and reflect on my time in Taipei. My internship also helped me explore a new field of work that I came to love. I had not considered grant writing as a career before interning at Fulbright Taiwan, but now it's on my list of potential paths for the future.

Along with the coursework, the CET and ICLP excursions helped me connect with the culture and environment in Taipei. We visited the Qianggu ceremony in Yilan, biked all around Taipei, attended a children's performance of a play based on a famous comic book series, and much more. I encourage speaking with your CET coordinators; if you want to personalize your study abroad experience, they can help you find local events tailored to your interests.

I recommend practicing your speaking skills before you arrive; the ICLP classes focus on speaking and listening (you aren't allowed to use your textbook in the classroom). Planning some events and places to visit before you arrive will help you make the most of your time in Taipei; the time flies between studying and interning! Creating a schedule within the first couple weeks will help you, too; I found I was able to explore much more once I assigned certain times each week to studying, working, and wandering. The more you plan in advance, the more you'll be able to enjoy your time abroad!