Tag Archives: Business Admin/ Business Analytics

Tobey Fung

Last day of Chinese Class

NAME: Tobey Fung

MAJOR: Business Admin/Business Analytics

PROGRAM: CSU IP – Taiwan: National Taiwan University – Calendar year 2024 – 2025 

EMAIL: tobey.fung@sjsu.edu

BIO: I chose to study abroad in Taiwan because I wanted to reconnect with my roots and see what everyday life there was really like. I’m also open to the idea of building a career in Taiwan someday. The experience wasn’t always easy, but it gave me a closer connection to the culture and a better understanding of myself.

GOALS: What were your goals for studying abroad?

I studied abroad to reconnect with my cultural roots and experience daily life in Taiwan beyond just visiting. I also wanted to challenge myself by improving my Chinese and stepping outside my comfort zone. Looking back, the experience gave me new perspectives, a stronger connection to the culture, and more confidence in myself.

 PERSONAL GROWTH: What was the biggest impact that your study abroad experience had on you?

The biggest impact my study abroad experience had on me was getting more comfortable with not always having the answers. Living in a new country and speaking a non-native language every day pushed me out of my comfort zone, but over time I learned to slow down, ask questions, and figure things out as I went. It gave me more confidence in adapting to new situations and helped me see the kind of person I want to be when things get challenging.

 ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad?

Most of my classes at National Taiwan University were upper-division and taught in Traditional Chinese, which made them some of the toughest I’ve ever taken. Balancing coursework with language was hard, but with help from classmates I learned how to adjust. The experience made me more independent and gave me a deeper appreciation for learning in a cross-cultural setting.

 CAREER: What skills did you learn / sharpen during your study abroad experience?

Studying abroad pushed me to adapt in ways I hadn’t before. Taking advanced classes in Chinese tested my focus and time management, while daily use of Mandarin improved my communication and confidence. I also learned how to stay calm when things didn’t go as planned, which gave me trust in my ability to handle challenges in any setting.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: How has your immersion impacted your perspectives on the world?

Living and studying in Taiwan changed how I see community. I learned that you don’t need to share the same first language or background to support each other—sometimes the best connections came from figuring things out together. It reminded me to approach cultural differences with patience, humility, and openness.

FUTURE: How has study abroad prepared you for your future?

I still remember how nervous I felt during my first few days in Taiwan. I didn’t leave my accommodation at first because it was my first time alone in a foreign country, and everything felt unfamiliar. Over time, that feeling turned into one of the experiences that stayed with me the most. I learned to ask for help, find ways to communicate, and get more comfortable with uncertainty. Remembering what it felt like to be new makes me want to support others in the same position, and it’s something I’ll carry with me into the future.

TIPS: What advice would you give to future Global Spartans?

Accept yourself. Not everything will go your way, and that’s okay—it’s part of the experience. Try to go with the flow, leave room for spontaneity, and allow yourself to make mistakes along the way.

Appreciate the small wins. Notice the day you finally order a meal on your own, figure out the train system, or have your first real conversation in another language. Those moments might feel small, but they really do matter.

Take time to reflect. Learn your limits and honor them. You don’t have to say yes to everything to make the most of your time abroad—protecting your energy and focusing on what feels meaningful is just as important.

And when you’re unsure, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You’re not alone, and chances are, someone else has felt the same way you do.

Stay connected to home. The people who know you best can be your anchor when everything around you feels unfamiliar.

Ryan Huynh

Ryan Huynh

MAJOR: Business Admin/Business Analytics

PROGRAM: SJSU Exchange – Okayama University, Japan

EMAIL: ryan.huynh02@sjsu.edu

BIO: I chose to study abroad for a variety of reasons. One of my main reasons for choosing to do this program was that I wanted to explore the world and do some soul searching in a sense. Doing things like living by myself, paying bills, and going to classes. Plus I get to learn how a country, such as Japan, operates and learn how to traverse it. Another reason why I choose to study abroad is that its been a life dream to study abroad in either a different state or country

LEADER, VOLUNTEER, OR JOB EXPERIENCES: I’ve done a lot of traveling and volunteer projects which I would say greatly contributed to my leadership abilities. I’ve taken a class where we spent a weekend participating and helping the locals perform the Tottori, Misasa festival. During the festival we would help the locals with each and every part of the preparation of the festival. Such as, preparing the driftwood, making “ties”, and assisting fellow participants with what to do in order to finish the preparations of the festival in time. For traveling with friends I would be the main person figuring out how to get to a certain destination. My friends would give me places they wanted to go to and I would be the one to figure how and when to go. For example, the address, which train to take, how long, etc.

GOALS: My main goal for studying abroad was learning how the country of Japan operates, both in the city and in the rural parts of Japan. Which I think now I have a very good understanding of the history, culture, and why its the way it currently is. Another goal they I’m really glad I learned was how to learn and adapt to visiting/living in another country. Since I’ve never lived in another country, outside of USA, for very long I wondered if I would have been able to adapt.

At a shrine in Kyoto

ACADEMICS: Extremely different compared to how academics works in USA, in Japan the first term is rather easy. With many holiday breaks and 3 day weekends. However, their is no break between 1st and 2nd term plus the pacing of the classes drastically changed. Instead of one chapter per week it was more like 1 chapter every 2 days. The main courses I took was introduction to Japanese 1, Reading and writing 1, and Comparative politics for both terms, except for Comparative politics which I only took for 1 term.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: My experience has greatly impacted my perspectives of the world because of all the connections I made with people from Burmese, Europe, Korea, and Japan. I have a completely different view of the world compared to when I only really lived in the states. Like their are so many benefits that countries such as Japan or Poland that we Americans have to pay for, but at the same time there are many things that at least for me living in Silicon Valley that I’m really grateful for. Such as the power of the USD and very high minimum wages compared to the rest of the world.

CAREER: One of the main skills I learned during my study abroad experience is how to plan. For example, when planning a trip to Osaka, Tokyo, etc. in order for efficient use of time and Maximum fun.

PERSONAL GROWTH: The biggest impact that this experience had on me was a combination of finding what I wanted to do with my life and making meaningful connections with people abroad. Living by myself and making new friends have really made me realize what I am capable of and what I would like my future to look like.

IDENTITIES: Being an mainly international student really changed the way Japanese people would approach me. First I have a tattoo so its one of 2 things; I’m either a yakuza member or a foreigner so Japanese people find it hard to approach me.

FUTURE: Studying abroad has prepared to meeting new people from all over the world, regardless of gender, race, religion, or nationality. Plus I’ve learned how to travel into a completely new country and figuring out how to navigate any particular country with minimal issues.

TIPS: I would advise future Global Spartans to take a chance, it might be the best choice of your life. But do balance between School work and Having fun.