International Exchange/Overseas Program

The reason I decided to study abroad was because I wanted to actually go to a foreign country and learn a foreign language, and I wanted to learn not only English but also Chinese.

Taiwan is a friendly country to Japan, so I felt at ease even though it was my first time abroad.

In preparation for studying abroad, I did some research on the area, studied basic Chinese, and researched Taiwanese culture to a certain extent.

The atmosphere in Kaohsiung is friendly, but it is also relatively rural, and there are few restaurants near Kaohsiung University, so you have to use the university's bicycles to go out to eat. However, the campus is very spacious, and the facilities, such as the gym and pool, are excellent.

At university, I belonged to the Department of Western Language and Literature and took Chinese language, English composition, SDGs super introductory English, English listening, and TOEIC. I was basically free to choose and take classes, but I had to get permission from my teacher to take classes in other departments.

As for classes, the English classes were basically in English, but there were also classes where Chinese was used. The classes with group work were easy because the locals spoke English, and the Chinese classes were taught carefully from the basics, so it was easy to understand and fun. We ate meals together as a group during breaks and deepened our friendships.

My impressions and advice after studying abroad are that Taiwan is an easy place to live, and all the students and teachers are kind and gentle. There are many students at school who can speak English, so it's reassuring.

You can prepare in advance by studying basic greetings, self-introductions, and conversations when eating out, and then take classes when you get there and speak on a daily basis, which will allow you to acquire a certain level of skill.

English Communication Department 3rd year FN