CET Taiwan Summer Term Exceeded Expectations!

I enrolled in the summer 2023 term of CET Taiwan (located in Taipei) as a recent college graduate, and I will continue with the program through its fall term. I tried to manage my expectations for my study abroad experience before arriving, and I can honestly say that all expectations were exceeded. I selected CET precisely because of how much effort the staff appeared to invest in cultivating a rich extracurricular experience for participants. After studying Mandarin for several years, I knew that mere classroom learning would not lead to fluency, and I wanted a program that would offer me plentiful opportunities to use Mandarin 1) outside of the classroom and 2) with locals. CET Taiwan did precisely that! Every week a newsletter is sent out to program participants that contains a host of extracurricular opportunities for that week, from classical operas and experimental circuses to cooking and musical instrument classes. All of these extracurriculars are led or taught by local organizations/partners, providing participants with a more authentic experience of Taipei and Taiwan as a whole. Additionally, I was very surprised to discover that CET Taiwan reimburses students for outings with their language partners (more on those later), participation in weekly classes in their community (such as music lessons), and personal cultural excursions.

I also appreciated the academic challenge of CET. All CET Taiwan students take classes through the Chinese Language Department at National Taiwan University, colloquially referred to as the "Harvard of Taiwan." I had a very positive academic experience, and though I am not yet fluent in Mandarin (I have realized that attaining fluency will be a lifelong journey), I have progressed in every area of the language, and I can credit much of that growth to being under the tutelage of my specific instructor. CLD has first-rate Mandarin teachers; thus, CET students more often than not have a first-rate academic experience. As someone who exclusively studied simplified Chinese characters before enrolling in CET Taiwan, the transition to traditional characters in (and outside of) the classroom can be frustrating at times, but my instructor was personally very patient and supportive through that process. Additionally, my instructor allowed me to complete homework assignments and assessments in simplified characters, and I'm grateful that I can now (somewhat) comfortably navigate both writing systems as a result of that dual learning arrangement.

I can also credit much of my growth to my weekly meet-ups with my local language partners, a special feature of all CET programs. Language partners are local college students that engage in language exchange with CET participants through weekly meet-ups organized by both individuals. I know some people that were unable to cultivate close relationships with their language partners, but I was fortunate enough to have two partners, both of whom were eager to meet several times per month with me. I look forward to continuing to nurture those relationships next term.

I also greatly appreciated the constant support of CET Taiwan staff. It's a small group, yet they always make themselves available to help students with all of their needs. From day 1, they are willing to answer calls and messages 24 hours a day.

Finally, my housing situation this term does not warrant any complaints. All CET students are assigned to off-campus apartments with other CET participants, as well as one or two local roommates. It was safe, comfortable, and incredibly conveniently located. Some CET students are assigned to apartments much farther from the NTU campus, but there are benefits in that too, as those students were able to become familiar with and establish roots in another district/area of Taipei.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this program to any college students or recent graduates that want to challenge themselves personally and academically, improve their Mandarin fluency, and experience the beauty and wonder of Taiwan. 加油！