Study Abroad

Taiwanese Treasures
National Chengchi University

Going on an exchange is the most memorable experience that I’ve had while being an SFU student. Studying abroad has been a dream of mine ever since high school and I was ecstatic when I finally got the chance to go for a term. Taipei was one of my favourite places because there were a LOT of things to do there. The ShiLin night market is the biggest one in Taipei. They have the biggest variety of delicious and cheap Taiwanese food! Don’t forget to try the famous pineapple cakes, oyster omelette and bubble tea. Take the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) to XinBeiTou and soak in a natural hot spring, or go a bit further north to DanShui and take a ferry to the Fishermen’s Wharf. Then, of course, take the fastest elevator in the world up Taipei 101 to see the fabulous sunset!

If you ever get bored of Taipei, you can escape to the countryside through the High Speed Rail. It’s like the bullet train in Japan. Go down south to KenDing, the Hawaii of Taiwan, for the weekend. There’s nothing but palm trees, beaches and a relaxing vibe. Don’t forget to check out the southern-most point in Taiwan while you’re there. There’s no public transportation, so you’ll have to rent a scooter which is the most convenient way to travel around.

Going out of my comfort zone and being away from home really opened my eyes about my strengths and my limitations. I found I was able to effectively balance my three Business courses while immersing myself in the culture. Because of exchange I was able to make a lot of new friends from all over the globe and do things that I normally wouldn’t do back home. There are so many reasons why you should travel abroad. I really don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want to go on an exchange.