The Chinese Culture University pays much attention to international academic exchanges. Up to 2008, sister relations have been established with 82 universities worldwide: 26 Korean, 16 Japanese, 16 U. S., three U.K., three Russian, two Ukrainian, five French, two German universities, and one each with Outer Mongolia, Thailand, Liberia, Belgium, Holland, Austria and Dominican Republic. The exchange programs include faculty, students, publications, the hosting and co-hosting of international conferences and exhibitions, cooperative research projects, and mutual visitations.

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Article: Going Global:

By Barry Lee Reynolds, an exchange student from our sister university--Murray State University in Kentucky, USA

Everyday you hear about someone that has studied abroad or plans to in the future. This kind of experience is becoming more common, but often those who attempt to take part in this type of cultural exploration do so leaving the country without a unique experience. When I first began my plans for Taiwan, I assumed this trip would be like the last five taken in the past three years.

My other trips were often sheltered by my acquaintances and friends. This time things were going to be different - I would be totally independent.

Go alone. It may sound scary, but being alone in a foreign country can be the best way to experience the culture. Of course you may want to exchange cultural experiences with other foreigners living and studying abroad, but the true experiences are those gained by diving into the culture by self-exploration.

Try the local cuisine. When I meet people from the States who are working or studying in Taiwan, I can almost immediately categorize them by the food they eat. People entering McDonald's, Pizza Hut or Subway are missing out. The ones having a real cultural experience are those scurrying to the night markets and consuming such delicacies as stinky tofu, pearl milk tea (milk tea with tapioca balls), phoenix claws (chicken feet), pig blood rice and chicken buttock kabob! Part of this is their open-mindedness about the culture and their interest in exploration. And I have tried all of the above mentioned.

Go out by yourself. Go off the beaten path and explore on your own. It's okay to visit the tourist attractions; but after this, go down a few dark alleys relying on your intuition, rather than your friends, to locate something exciting. Sometimes the things that the natives think are boring will be interesting and exciting to you.

Leave no rock unturned. The month of August is the ghost month of the lunar Chinese calendar. My friend's mother celebrated by offering food to her dead ancestors in remembrance. After praying, we burnt ghost money for the relatives to use in the afterlife. My friend did not accompany us during these endeavors of remembrance because she may have felt it would be boring, but it helped me understand the way in which some Taiwanese respect and remember their deceased loved ones. It reminded me of the way Americans place flowers upon gravestones.

Get lost. Sometimes getting lost can be an adventure. You may discover a small cafe that has the perfect cup of tea or a wonderful small boutique that specializes in unique traditional gifts. Once I took a walk looking for somewhere to study and do some journal writing. I accidentally happened upon a small, uniquely decorated cafe. I was treated wonderfully and given free fruit with a nice note inviting me back.

Learn the language. If you are studying in a non-English-speaking country, try your best to learn some of the language. Students who study abroad in the United States speak our language to communicate, so why shouldn't you do the same in their countries? Nothing is more irritating than a person who has lived in a country a year or longer but cannot say more than "hello" or "goodbye" in the native tongue. And if you are proficient enough in the language, try to have a conversation with someone. You may make a great friend and find someone who can help you unearth the best buys and unique attractions.

Pack carefully. Do some research on the Internet or chat online to find out how much certain things cost. Sometimes it is easier to buy the product after you arrive. I buy certain personal care products in the States while certain clothes and food are very cheap here. Also, leave plenty of room in your luggage for souvenirs. Do not overpack - especially with clothes. Pack clothes that easily mix and match.

Write about your experiences. Remember, this is your time to study but also your time to have fun. Being abroad allows a person to open up and do new things. Write about your experiences and share them with others.

Leave America behind. Do not enter a country thinking you know everything about it. Even after visiting Taiwan five times, I still have a lot to learn. Once I had a problem with my visa, and I pushed to have the details about the problem explained and corrected immediately. This is not the way things are handled in Taiwan. I felt bewildered and confused, but eventually everything was fixed. Do not enter another country with the mindset of, "In America, we ..." Things are done differently all over the world, but this doesn't make them wrong.

I cannot specify everything one should do while studying abroad, but the most important thing that I have learned is to be independent. Do not be afraid or get nervous. If a misunderstanding occurs, the world is not going to end. The worst that could happen is that you get the wrong food or get lost and get to experience something new! Take a confusing situation and make it a learning experience. Do not let anxiety or apprehension cause you to miss out on a wonderful experience.

Being independent has allowed me to feel confident in myself and my experiences. I am not following some prepackaged tour program, I am creating my own experience. I'm in control, and that's part of the fun. Studying abroad is about having experiences and learning about the culture. Exposure to another culture may help you visualize something about yourself of which you had no idea. ▲top