Dr. Han-Yen Kao, associate professor of business and economics, is excited to offer a summer study abroad experience in Taiwan for four weeks in a mini-semester.
Dr. Kao is from Taiwan and has wanted to bring Northwestern students to Taiwan for a long time. “After I received tenure in 2023, I started seriously exploring options,” Dr. Kao said. “Around the same time, two friends from other Christian colleges recommended the mini semester to me. This summer, I submitted my course proposal, Everyday Behavioral Economics, and was offered a position to teach in the program.”
Students will be taking classes at Tunghai University (THU), one of the Counci for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) in Taiwan. “During the program, students will be official exchange students and will get a Tunghai student ID, giving them access to campus facilities such as the swimming pool, gym, library, etc. Additionally, they can ride the city bus for free in Taichung with their student ID,” Dr. Kao said.
While at THU, students will take at least two three-credit courses from a variety of topics such as art, business or the Chinese language. “Classes will take place Monday through Friday, with Thursday afternoons and Saturdays reserved for cultural activities and day trips,” Dr. Kao said
“Once students have completed the mini semester, they will receive a Consortium for Study Abroad in Taiwan (CSAT) certificate from Fulbright Taiwan and an official transcript from Tunghai University, which can be transferred to NW,” Dr. Kao said.
Alongside receiving the Cross-Cultural credit, students are able to transfer credits from THU to NW. “The Tunghai mini semester offers a true study abroad experience without requiring students to give up an entire semester of sports or other commitments,” Dr. Kao said. “Students can fulfill multiple NW requirements including gen eds and courses in some majors, depending on the courses taken.”
Dr. Kao claims that this cross-cultural experience is worth it. “Few things can compare to a cross-cultural learning experience,” Dr. Kao said. “Academically, you interact with professors and students from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds. Culturally, you are immersed in a society that shares your values but exists in a very different context. Speaking as a former foreign student, I would not trade my study abroad experience for anything. I learned to appreciate different ways of thinking and living. While stepping out of my comfort zone and adapting to new social norms, I also learned more about myself and my identity.”
While in Taiwan, students will have opportunities to travel around the country. “Taiwan has very much to offer, rich history and cultural diversity, a wide variety of natural scenes and wonders, a vibrant democracy and dynamic economy, a freedom-loving society, legendary night markets and street food, and probably the friendliest and most welcoming people you will ever meet,” Dr. Kao said.
Dr. Kao also mentioned that NW students going to Taiwan might have the opportunity to be in a HiELIZABENNY YouTube video. Elizabeth Benny is an American YouTuber based in Taiwan with 696 thousand subscribers. “Her videos focus on introducing Taiwanese and American culture to each other and their interesting interactions,” Dr. Kao said. “We are still in the early stages of planning, but it is going to be a lot of fun. I am super excited about it.”
Accounting major Josh Noeske is eager to go to Taiwan. “I believe it will offer an opportunity to broaden my understanding of business and economics from a global perspective, particularly outside the framework of the United States,” Noeske said. “Not only will I have the chance to gain academic credits that are directly relevant to my major and necessary for graduation, but I will also be fully immersed in a vibrant and unique culture. This experience will allow me to engage with a way of life entirely different from my own, enriching both my personal growth and my professional outlook.”
Dr. Kao thanks the Compass Center for their support in promoting this study abroad. “Kendall Stanislav and Caylan DeLucia share the same passion for promoting study-abroad experiences,” Dr. Kao said. “They have been wonderful.”
Regardless of major, Dr. Kao encourages interested students to go. There will be information sessions in November and February for those who have their interests piqued about the Taiwan study abroad.
