Alrighty all… been looking at the options as a teacher, and apart from opening my own school or business of some sort - it’s looking fairly grim. There’s no kind of pension plan, not much chance for promotion, and while I’m stable in my current job - it’s not stable in the long run. It’s time to start looking elsewhere.
So, what I want to do is to go back to uni. I don’t wanna do Chinese for a course (I speak decent Chinese and can teach myself writing on my own if I need to), nor anything related to teaching - as that’s the field I’m wanting to get out of. Part-time (in the evenings OR on the weekend) and hopefully finished within 4 years.
OK, so here’s the deal: I wanna stay in Taichung and do something interesting (preferably offered in English) that will give me some interesting choices in future. I’ve eyed the IT departments of FengChia and ChungXing, but every 2nd man and his dog is doing IT. I eyed the architecture/interior design course in FengChia - but I’ve heard that a) it’s really difficult, b) I won’t be able to finish it in 4 years and c) I need to get a licence after - which I supposedly can’t get in Taiwan because I’m not Taiwanese.
Aerospace Engineering is interesting, but seems that it would be really difficult.
I’m trying to figure out how you think that not being able to read and write Chinese will be okay for a university degree in Taiwan. There are some all-English programs, but how do you intend to take tests? Most particularly, how do you think you’ll pass the entrance exam?
Okay, I once had an ABC student in a university who spoke dead fluent Mandarin but couldn’t read or write – he had such charisma that his classmates carried him (somehow) through an entire five-year course, but I have not the slightest idea how you could go about arranging that, and it’s the only time I’ve ever seen anything like it.
xo8,
Sorry, no answers regards studying, but good on you for facing the harsh reality that ESL has a limited shelf life. The perving is good, but the money sucks and there isn’t much of a future in it.
There seem to be quite a few formosans working on their “Escape from English teaching” plans.
all english programs often ask for english on tests, but accept chinese.
some schools are making foreigners exempt for entrance tests, based on previous transcripts and interviews (english), in their attempts to attract more foreign (read: western) students. scholarships are also widely available, either through the MOE or the school itself.
things are changing over here (at least in this regard). don’t get me started on the insanity of teaching at a local university, though.
The above advice seems a bit negative, but I think you need to be a bit more clear about your goals. Taiwan is a very good place to study Chinese language and a few other subjects. It probably isn’t the best place to study “Aerospace Engineering”.
Also have a look at some of the scholarships on offer. This website is a must visit:
all English programs often ask for English on tests, but accept Chinese.
some schools are making foreigners exempt for entrance tests, based on previous transcripts and interviews (English), in their attempts to attract more foreign (read: western) students. scholarships are also widely available, either through the MOE or the school itself.
things are changing over here (at least in this regard)…[/quote]That’s what I heard, too. A while ago I was thinking of doing a degree here, and I found out that there are several post-grad programs for which some oral Chinese ability is enough.
Thanks for the info guys, though the ‘Study in Taiwan’ site is a bit outdated… courses are for 05-06… Feng Chia is not even mentioned… etc.
I CAN read/write Chinese, but there’s still a lot more to learn. I wouldn’t say I can read a newspaper - but I can read enough to make jokes of notes that students may pass around the class.
Going home is not really an option, nor is full-time study. I have a wife and toddler to support, with hopes of another one in the near future (my wife just turned 30, so she wants it over and done with ASAP).
I’m quite serious about Feng Chia being the kindie among Taiwan’s universities. You mightn’t be that concerned about it, but welcome to Taiwan’s snob world of edumakashun. You will have to consider how you want your studies perceived.
I’m eyeing Chung Xing Uni mostly atm for their IT course… Feng Chia has a similar course, but Chung Xing’s looks better, is closer to my home (like almost right around the corner), and is supposedly cheaper.
I’m studying in the “Graduate Institute of Network Learning Technology” at NCU (Chongli). It’s quite nice here. Actually I live in Taipei, but during Monday to Friday I stay on campus in the dorm, which is quite affordable.
My professor says my department is looking for some more foreign Master’s and PhD students if you’re interested. The program is bilingual (some in English and some in Chinese, and my Chinese is not great, I must say), and I’ll graduate in about two years from now with a Master’s if everything keeps going the way it is. You’re welcome to PM me for any info…
