Tag Archives: Taiwan National University

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.

Sean Su

NAME: Sean Su
MAJOR: Business Marketing
PROGRAM: CSU IP – Taiwan National University
EMAIL: sean.su@sjsu.edu

 BIO: Please tell us about you and why you chose to study abroad.

Hello my name is Sean Su and I am a 4th year Business Marketing major at San Jose State University! Last semester I had the opportunity to experience a study abroad program hosted by CSUIP at National Taiwan University. A lot of factors contributed to this decision but it dwindled down to these 2 reasons. As a Taiwanese-American growing up in a Mandarin/Englsih spoken household, I was constantly surrounded by Taiwanese culture through the foods we ate, the holidays/events such as Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn festival, and most importantly, the language, which was used to communicate with family/relatives. The 2nd reason was “cause why not?” Many students would pounce on the opportunity to live in a foreign country, free from the shackles of their parents while simultaneously contributing to their undergraduate education. And now that the party has ended, I have met many like-minded individuals with similar backgrounds from different parts of the world, also wanting to learn more about the country, culture, and experience.

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

Reflect on how your study abroad experience and the skills, knowledge, or networking has enhanced or contributed to your life back on campus or home.

Being born in America, you speak english everywhere. That being said, my mandarin was falling behind as the chances to speak the language only resided amongst family. Ever since going to Taiwan, my Mandarin speaking has improved as I had no other option when it came to everyday activities such as ordering food, meeting new people, and literally anywhere you go. On top of that, I learned to read and write traditional chinese characters as before I never needed to know how to read or write in America. Lastly, my extraverted side came loose as I had to be social in order to make friends, create plans, and make fond memories with one another. I was able to make a ton of friends from different parts of the world and if I ever need a place to crash at in their respective country, i’ll have a place to stay.

GOALS: What were your goals for studying abroad?

Reflect on the personal, academic, and professional goals that you had set out to achieve on your study abroad experience?

My personal goals for studying abroad was to enhance my knowledge on my chinese speaking ability and to learn how to read and write in chinese. On top of that I wanted to learn how to be independent. Whether I starve to death is up to me, no one can help me but myself. Additionally I was responsible for keeping my room tidy, my bathroom clean and toiletries stocked. I was able to live by myself and for myself.

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

The biggest impact that study abroad had on me was definitely the friends I made along my journey. I now have my best and closest friends all around the world. Down the line, if I ever need help I know I have a wide range of people to call on if it ever comes down to it.

ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad?

Share what courses you chose to take abroad and the strategies you used to ensure your academic success. How has the experience impacted your academics now that you have returned to SJSU?

My academic experience at National Taiwan University (NTU) was amazing as I was taught how to read and write mandarin and on top of that able to learn business the way Taiwan teaches it. NTU is known as the Harvard of Taiwan so the experience of going to a prestigious foreign school was also another thing I was able to have under my belt. Now that I returned to SJSU, I am able to adjust to the rigor that the classes entail as NTU and its classes were not easy.

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

My program which was based in Taiwan, a second world country in Asia has a completely different way of life compared to America. First and foremost, the biggest difference I saw was the amount of priviledge we have in America where the standard of living is alot higher than most countries in the world, Taiwan included. The things we take for granted such as $10-20 worth of food is normal but in Taiwan a normal meal costs around $3-5 and theres no obligation to tip. The people of Taiwan go through trial and fire to make a living while a normal person in the America has a minimum wage 3x more than those in Taiwan.

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

Study abroad has prepared me for the networking/communicating abilities that I have learned as I will meet more diverse and culturally different people in my life. This is experience is one to look back on in the future and give me alot of nostalgia as it was the best decision i’ve ever made in my life that I have experienced.

TIPS: What advice would you give to a future Global Spartan?

One advice that I would give to a future Global Spartan is to be extraverted to meet new people in the beginning of the semester and be open-minded to the difference and culture compared to America and embrace it as your own.