Details

• Taiwan (Chinese Taipei)
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

I flew with China Airlines on a direct flight from Vienna to Taipei. If you book your ticket early, the price is usually quite reasonable. I can also recommend Turkish Airlines, as they offer a student discount and provide a very comfortable travel experience. Obtaining the visa was straightforward and took about one week in total. However, I recommend checking in advance that you have all the required documents before submitting your application to avoid any delays.

2. Accommodation

I booked my accommodation through MyRoomAbroad. Although it was slightly more expensive than some other platforms, I found it to be very reliable and safe. I lived in the Daan District, near Liuzhangli Station on the Brown Line. The location was ideal, as it was close to the university while still being in the heart of the city. There were plenty of great restaurants and cafés nearby, and many other exchange students also lived in Daan. I found the area to be very convenient, comfortable, and extremely safe - which reflects Taipei in general. I can also highly recommend living near Daan station!!

3. Academic life at host university

Compared to WU Vienna, the campus at NCCU is not as modern, but it is much larger and has a unique atmosphere. It is surrounded by nature, which makes it a very pleasant place to study. There are many cafeterias, cafés, and food options on campus, so it is easy to spend the whole day there between classes. The teaching style was generally more interactive than at WU. Many courses required class participation, group work, presentations, and regular assignments rather than relying solely on a final exam. Attendance was also more important in most courses. If you are looking for an easy course with a guaranteed good grade, I would recommend Circular Business/Economics. The course was attended almost exclusively by exchange students, required relatively little effort, and attendance was not strictly enforced. However, I did not feel that I learned very much from it. If you are interested in politics and want to gain a better understanding of Asian political systems in comparison with Europe and the United States, I highly recommend Comparative Governments. I found it to be one of the most interesting and rewarding courses of my exchange, with engaging discussions and valuable insights into different political systems.

5. Every day life in the host country

Taipei has an excellent public transportation system. The MRT is clean, reliable, affordable, and makes it easy to get around the city. I also found Taiwan to be an extremely safe country, even when walking alone at night. NCCU offers a wide variety of student clubs that are a great way to meet both local and international students. At the beginning of each semester, the university organizes a club fair where all student organizations present themselves and recruit new members. I joined the Piano Club. There are also many gyms and sports facilities throughout Taipei, as well as plenty of opportunities to participate in different sports both on and off campus. Outside of university, I spent most weekends traveling with friends. We explored many different parts of Taiwan, and during longer breaks we also visited other countries in Asia. Traveling from Taipei is very convenient thanks to its well-connected airports and transportation network, making it easy to discover both Taiwan and nearby destinations. (car rent was very easy and the high speed train is the fastest way to travel)

6. Testimonial

I can really recommend Taipei for an exchange semester. It is the perfect mix of a busy Asian city and a calm, relaxed place, so you can enjoy city life while also taking a break between your trips. There are always things to do, the nightlife is great (especially around Maji Square and Xinyi), and the people are very friendly and helpful. I would definitely choose Taipei again, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask!