Bachelors at NTU vs. UCI

[foc]

@An-yang

Of course, when I went to Taiwan I was notorious as the white guy singing in 台語 during karaoke night lol. KTV may be my one advantage going in

You will do just fine in Taiwan if you decide to come.

[foc]

@Poundsand

1 - So sounds like a masters is required. Where you go for undergrad and how well you do absolutely affects where you go for grad school - might be the time undergrad matters the most. So where are you trying to go for grad school, and will a international or UC undergrad be more helpful?

At least in the US, NTU is very well known especially in the sciences and especially for grad school. If he does reasonably well at NTU, he will have many choices in the US for grad school.

[Gain]

@foc

But these should not be a consideration in deciding where to go to school if you plan to be a serious student and get something out of it besides bad habits.

Most college students are not serious.

@foc

It’s not that small. Taiwanes people always say this and it just isn’t true. Taiwan would be one of the biggest US states and a mid-sized European country. It is a universe unto itself.

It is very small by AREA, not mid-sized at all.

@foc

The other things you mention like egalitarianism are big plusses. My friends who went to NTU bonded with their Taiwanese classmates for life and are far better integrated in Taiwanese society than I am. I agree about the importances of those earlier shared experiences in Taiwanese society but college students are young enough so that they can still share experiences with others.

That’s neither a plus nor a minus. My point is it’s different. Coming from America he would be completely out of his elements amongst local kids.

@foc

One thing that is extremely important in Taiwan is the student club system. These are about everything you can imagine being interested in—politics, ballroom dancing, tech, tea, same sex orientations, harmonicas, bible study etc. They are a very important part of student life. Some students find their calling in life through these rather than their studies. You should definitely join a couple.

That’s nothing special. Every school in the universe has student clubs.

[foc]

@Gain

It is very small by AREA, not mid-sized at all.

I would argue that area is not that important. The size of Taiwan’s economy and its population make it an important, relatively powerful country.

That’s neither a plus nor a minus. My point is it’s different. Coming from America he would be completely out of his elements amongst local kids.

Based on what he has said about himself, I think there is a good chance he can adapt. It would be a very important part of his education.

That’s nothing special. Every school in the universe has student clubs.

I can only speak from experience. My North American university had some student clubs but they were nowhere near as diverse and active as NTU’s. I didn’t know anyone who participated in one and I knew plenty of people. NTU’s clubs (and those of other universities) are very different from the ones at my college.

[An-yang]

Update: Much to my surprise, I got offered the scholarship a few days ago, long before when I thought it would come out. I also got accepted into NTU yesterday. I talked with a friend’s parents who have experience doing undergrad in Taiwan and a master’s degree in the states, and after that discussion I am most likely going to choose Taiwan.
I am going to visit UCI one more time before I make my decision though so we’ll see if anything changes.

[Brianjones]

The science profs in NTU are top notch many of them also maintain labs in Academia Sinica. I think it will work out either way as you can always do grad degree in the US.
The cost of living in Taiwan is pretty low and yeah financially it will be a lot easier with the scholarship.

[user86]

@An-yang

has anyone here gotten a Chinese-taught science degree from NTU and lived to tell the tale?

Why are you going for a Chinese-taught degree? You didn’t apply as an international student? Why not?

If you’re Taiwanese, then how are you eligible for the Taiwan scholarship? Isn’t that only available to foreigners?

[An-yang]

I did apply as an international student, but there’s no English-taught degree available for Chemistry. I figured doing a degree in Chinese would be the perfect way to put my Chinese to use after learning it seemingly aimlessly for so long.

[Whatevah]

@An-yang

I did apply as an international student, but there’s no English-taught degree available for Chemistry. I figured doing a degree in Chinese would be the perfect way to put my Chinese to use after learning it seemingly aimlessly for so long.

Yeah English courses are far too few got Bachelors. If you’re sure you’re gonna do grad school Taiwan is a no brainer honestly.

[foc]

@An-yang

Update: Much to my surprise, I got offered the scholarship a few days ago, long before when I thought it would come out. I also got accepted into NTU yesterday. I talked with a friend’s parents who have experience doing undergrad in Taiwan and a master’s degree in the states, and after that discussion I am most likely going to choose Taiwan.

Congratulations! You should be proud of yourself. You have two excellent schools to choose from. Your choice will be a good one no matter which one you choose. Remember that what you do at college is far more important than the prestige or reputation of the school. The school is just a platform. It is up to you to perform well on it.

I personally think you should choose NTU. The combination of excellent Chinese and a STEM degree would be powerful as would the international experience you will acquire.