is a Great Destination

for Foreign Study

NAFSA Annual Conference – MontrealMay 25, 2006

Margaret M. Y. Li

Director, Cultural Division

Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office

Washington, D.C.

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Outlines

World trends for university/ college students studying abroad– US’s situation

Taiwan is a great destination for foreign studies– Educational opportunities– Academic standards – Economy – Tuition & cost of living– Financial aid– Hospitality– Travel

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World Trends for University &

College Students Studying

Abroad

Case of American students

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Case of American students

US Congress declared:

2006 is the year of studying abroad

From 2003 to 2004:

US students studying abroad rose by 9.6%

From 2000 to 2004:

US students studying abroad rose by 20%Source: IIE & International Educators

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Case of American students

Studying abroad is becoming a desirable component of higher education experience for US students

US Assistant Secretary of State, Ms. Dina H. Powell said: “I am pleased that American students are studying abroad, which signals their keen interest in learning more about the people and nations beyond our borders.”

Learning Mandarin has been a boom in the US and worldwide

Source: IIE & International Educators

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Therefore:

International educators need to:

– Evaluate what’s happening in education abroad

– Provide students with opportunities to study

abroad

Where to study abroad?

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TaiwanTaiwan is a great destination

for foreign study

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Educational Opportunities

Education is strongly emphasized in Taiwan

A large share of Taiwan’s National budget is

targeted for educational purposes.– 15% National

– 25% Provincial

– 35% Municipal

Budget

Source: Yearbook

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County 2000 2001

Taiwan 4.94 5.32

RPC 0.96 …

Japan 3.13 3.12

Korean 6.35 6.41 USA 4.93 5.60

Canada 3.94 …

United Kingdom 3.46 …

France 3.42 …

Germany … 2.63

Belgian 3.51 …

Australia 4.40 4.48

New Zealand 4.48 4.55

The Percentage Higher Education Students of Total Population in Select Countries

Source: MOE

Unit: %

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Entry Rates to Higher Education

Unit: %

County 2000 2001

Taiwan 55 60

Japan 49.8 49.3

New Zealand 70 76

United Kingdom 60 64.8

Australia 59 65

Netherlads 51 54

Spain 48 48 USA 47.7 …

Italy 43 44

Belgian 36 32

Austriar 33 34

Switzer 29 33

Source: MOE

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International students studying in Taiwan by select fields (2004-2005)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700No. People

fields

No. People 603 496 459 11

% 30.62 25.19 23.31 0.56

Science & Tech Social Sciences Business Mgmt Ohters

Note: Science & Technology: Engineering Mathematics and Computer Science, Natural Sciences, Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Social Sciences: Sociology, Economics, Mass Communication Business Management: Business and Management, Tourism Services Arts and Humanities: Humanities, Art Others: Police Administration, Physical Education, etc.

Source: MOE

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High Academic Standards

World-Class science fields, including:

– Semi-conductivity

– Computer Science

– Information Technology

– Agricultural

– Biotechnology

Source: MOE

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High Academic Standards

Achievements in the Humanities, including:

– Multiculturalism

– Human rights

– Democratization

– Arts

– Civil SocietySource: MOE

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Taiwan is a great destinationfor foreign study

Premier location to learn the essence of

classic Chinese literature, history, philosophy,

art, etc.

More than 120 departments of 20 universities

& colleges providing courses taught in

English (2005/06)

More than 20 universities offering Chinese

language programsSource: MOE

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Government proposed $1.56 billionover 5 years

To further enhance the quality of higher education

– Establish integrated universities & colleges networking

systems:To facilitate joint research: particularly in

1. Biosciences

2. Mathematical science

3. Humanities

– Implement strict evaluation systems for professors,

universities, and colleges.

Source: MOE

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Goal:Over the next 5 years to have more Taiwanese universities to be among the

world top institutions

Source: MOE

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Economy, a Brief Profile:

Taiwan is considered one of the “Four Dragons of Asia” (others: Japan, Korea, Singapore)

Per capital income : US$1527.3

Average economic growth rate between 1952 and 2005 :

7.6%

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Economy, a Brief Profile:

Growth competitiveness: #1 (Asia); #5

(World)

Technological competitiveness: #3 (World)

Economic intelligence unit: #3 (Asia)

8th largest US trading partner;

10th largest US export marketSource: Economic Div.,

TECRO

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Tuition and Cost of Living

Tuition

– Public Universities & Colleges :

US$781 to 937 / Semester

– Private Universities & Colleges:

US$1,437 to 1,687 / Semester

Foreign and native students pay the same

tuition

Source: MOE

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Cost of Living

Dormitory: US$62 to 206/month

Apartment: US$156 to 281/month

Dining: US$1.25 to 4 /per meal

Source: MOE

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Financial Aid- Scholarship

Degree Mandarin Enrichment

Intensive

Mandarin Study

Funding Jointly by MOE, MOFA, NSC, MOEA

MOE MOE

# of Students 713 (2005-’06)

850 (2006-’07)

167 (’05)

300 (’06)

Newly established

Program Duration 3-4 years 1 year 3 weeks or longer

Scholarship/month $781 – $938 $781 $5,000 for groups of 10

More Information http://www.mofa.gov.tw http://www.edu.tw.bicer

Source: MOE

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Multiple Sources of Taiwan-Sponsored Scholarships

580620

850

1030

1190

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008-2013

MOE

MOFA

MOEA

NSC

Total

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008-2013MOE 260 290 370 430 490

MOFA 270 230 330 400 500MOEA 25 50 75 100 100NSC 25 50 75 100 100Total 580 620 850 1030 1190

Note: Scholarship Quotas of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and National Science Council are limited to study at technical colleges

Source: MOE

No

. S

cho

lars

hip

s

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Hospitality

People are open, warm, and friendly

English will become the country’s sub-

official language within the next 6 years.

Resident Visa available

Working Permit available

Source: MOE

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Travel

Formosa, the beautiful islandRich natural resources: beaches, mountains, lakes, rivers

Advanced transportation system Metro-Rail, National highway system

Diverse cuisinesEastern, Western & everything in between

Mild weatherSight-seeing all year round

Democratic & free society

Source:Taiwan at a Glance 2005-2006

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Closing:

Three Taiwan foreign students’ experience:Danielson (Canada, NCCU)“People in Taiwan are nice, polite, respectful and open to discuss any topic, because they respect freedom of speech.”

Tamaru (Japan, NTNU)“I find Taiwan easy and convenient to get around, There are so many convenience stores and supermarkets around here.”

Hawkins (America, ICLP, NTU)“Before coming back to Taiwan, I went to China to experience a different kind of Chinese society, Nonetheless, I still prefer Taiwan, that’s why I came back and decided to study classical Chinese.”

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http://www.studyintaiwan.org

• General Information about Taiwan

• Application Procedures• University/College Guide• Scholarship Information

• Scholarship Information• Living in Taiwan• Where to Learn Chinese• Other Related Information

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For this copy, please visit website aFor this copy, please visit website at http://www.moetwdc.org/englisht http://www.moetwdc.org/english