National Taiwan University, 2016-2017
At a glance
Where, who, when
Full name of the host university: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST)
City, country: Taipei, Taiwan
Homepage of the host university: www.ntust.edu.tw
Author of the experience report: Hendrik Matschke
Degree programme at FH Aachen: Mechanical Engineering, Faculty 8
Start and end of the stay abroad: 01/09/2016 - 15/01/2017
The semester abroad was completed in: 7th subject-specific semester
assessment:
- Quality of the programme content: 2,7
- Study conditions / facilities at the host university: 2.0
- On-site support and assistance: 2.0
- Campus: 2.0
- Transport links to the campus: 1.7
- Food on campus (dining hall (Mensa), etc.): 1,7
- Sports facilities: 1.7
- Leisure activities: 1.3
- Bars / discos / nightlife: 2.0
- Quality / cost of living: 3.0
- Contact with locals: 3.0
Preparations
- When did you start the preparations? Just under a year before the start of the trip.
- How does the application process work and what documents are required? It is best to ask Mrs Brinker at the AAA.
- Does the host university require a language test? Yes, the DAAD language test is sufficient.
Formalities
- Do I have to pay fees at the host university? No.
- Did you receive a scholarship to finance your stay abroad? PROMOS scholarship to fund stays abroad outside Europe.
- How do you recommend travelling to the host university? Flight to Lexington Airport, approx. 1000€ (with return flight), recommended homepage for flight booking, as flexible return flight location and time is possible.
- Did you have to take out additional health insurance? Health insurance from the university, approx. $700 per semester.
- Is further insurance necessary? No.
On site
- What formalities have to be completed after arrival? Registration at the host university (but this is done on the induction days).
- Where is the best place to live and what are the average housing costs? Rents: 250-450 € (depending on location / size / facilities); good neighbourhoods are near 101, Guting or CKS-Memorial Hall.
- What was it like looking for accommodation? There are currently no campus flats, so you have to look privately. This is sometimes not easy. We recommend Facebook groups or searching on site. (After arrival)
- What is the average cost of living? Around €200-350 excluding leisure activities and rent.
- What is cheap/expensive? Cheap: food, bus/MRT ; Expensive: beer, alcohol
- What are the shopping facilities like? Good: 7/11 etc is open 24 hours.
About the host university
- Briefly describe the host university! Quite a small campus with everything you need (dining hall (Mensa), supermarkets, sports fields).
- How was the overall quality of the courses and lectures? Partly good, but also some courses with a lot of effort, but not so high technical content / quality.
- How are the facilities at the host university? Varies from very modern to very old rooms
- What are the opening hours on campus, how are the libraries, are there lecture notes? Lecture notes and books sometimes have to be bought, sometimes they are also available online. Opening hours are good.
- Did the professors prepare you well for exams? Did they also help you outside the lectures? Yes, if you ask, you are usually always helped (especially as an exchange student).
- Are there special introductory courses for visiting students? Yes, at the beginning of the semester.
- What are the transport links like? What should I bear in mind? Good transport connections (direct bus, MRT 10 minutes and also very good by bike).
- Other: It is sometimes not possible for exchange students to choose courses before the start of the semester, which can lead to problems afterwards due to overcrowded courses.
About the courses and lectures attended at the National Taiwan University
- Course attended: Composite material
Course duration & scope, teaching form: 6 credits, lecture
Keywords for course description: complex (good to medium)
Form of assessment: written examination + presentation + reports
Is the course recommended? Yes (conditionally). - Course attended: Special topics on fibrous composite
Course duration & scope, teaching format: 6 credits, lecture
Key words for course description: Not so complex, but somewhat boring in parts.
Form of assessment: Presentations
Is the course recommended? Yes (conditionally). - Course attended: Project Management
Course duration & scope, teaching format: 6 credits, lecture/project
Course description keywords: Not very complex.
Form of assessment: Tests, project, reports
Is the course recommended? Yes. - Course attended: Vacuum and Thin Film Technology
Course duration & scope, teaching form: 6 credits, lecture
Course description keywords: Good, but also quite time-consuming.
Form of assessment: Written examinations
Is the course recommended? Yes. - Course attended: Consumer Behaviour
Course duration & scope, teaching form: 6 credits, interactive lecture
Keywords for the course description: okay
Form of assessment: written examination, presentation
Is the course recommended? Yes.
Leisure activities
- What is the range of sports facilities on campus? There are many sports facilities, some of which must be booked in advance.
- Do I have to pay for the sports facilities? Generally not (possibly rental fees).
- What leisure activities does the campus offer? Mountains (hiking), cycling, beach and surfing (both 1h drive), there are many changing activities and offers.
- What sights are there locally? Taipei 101, Memorial Halls, Elephant Mountain, Taipei Zoo.
- What tourist attractions does the surrounding area have to offer? Mountains, beach, hot springs, waterfall, etc...
- Are there organised (possibly subsidised) excursions for visiting students? There is an excursion organised by NTUST, but there are also many other organised excursions.
- Are there many good restaurants and bars in the neighbourhood? What do you recommend? There are restaurants on every corner (night markets!)
- Where do you go in the evening (pubs, bars, discos, cinemas) and what is recommended? There are many discos in the area around Taipei 101.
- Are there any special customs/customs among the locals and what is an absolute taboo? Sleeping in the Library for several hours is probably completely normal in Taiwan. Jumping the queue and not queuing properly is pretty much a no-go (also applies to buses and trains).
Final considerations - Conclusion
- How would you rate your stay abroad overall? Very good! It was worthwhile and will remain an unforgettable time.
- Did you choose the right time for your semester abroad? Yes, the weather became more pleasant towards winter. However, there were some monsoon rains and storms.
- What were the high and low points of your stay? Highs: Mountaineering and nature, as well as Christmas on the beach. Lows: 1 week in bed with a fever (even if the medical care is good so far).
- What will remain unforgotten? The many new people and the culture that I got to know during this time.
- What advice would you like to give to other students on your degree programme who decide to spend a semester abroad at this foreign university? Taipei does get quite chilly in winter (10-15°C); it is advisable to consult a travel medicine specialist about vaccinations.
- Any criticism or suggestions? It is sometimes not possible for exchange students to choose courses before the start of the semester, which can lead to problems afterwards due to overcrowded courses.
