Details

• Taiwan (Chinese Taipei)
• MASozÖk-10
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

After the application process, I coordinated my course selection with Dr. Katharina Wick, the program coordinator. Since you might not get into all courses you choose, it is a good idea to pick more courses than needed and drop some later. I also contacted former exchange students for tips, which was very helpful. The visa process went smoothly. Some students decided to do visa runs by leaving the country every 90 days, but applying for a visa in advance worked well for me. There are many direct flights to Taipei at reasonable prices if booked early (around 400–500 € one way). NCCU usually offers an orientation day about one week before classes start, so arriving one or two days earlier is recommended.

2. Accommodation

I decided to look for accommodation after arriving in Taipei. I stayed in short-term housing for the first weeks and then found a room via Airbnb. Finding accommodation on site was manageable, as many platforms only list apartments shortly before they become available. Other platforms such as My Room Abroad can also be useful. Although dorms on campus are available, I would recommend private housing. Living in the city felt more flexible and independent. I lived close to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, which is very central and well connected by bus to the university. Areas along the brown MRT line, such as Da’an, are also convenient. Rooms in shared apartments usually cost between 400 and 600 €, while single apartments start at around 500 €. The campus itself is about 40 minutes outside the city center. PS: Check if your room has windows! (not always the case)

3. Academic life at host university

Most English-taught courses are mainly attended by exchange students. Classes usually last around three hours with short breaks. The workload is similar to WU Vienna. Many courses focus on group work and presentations rather than final exams. Interaction with local students depends a lot on the course. Many Taiwanese students are quite young and rather shy, although there are exceptions.

5. Every day life in the host country

Many people speak some English, so everyday life is generally easy. People are very polite and respectful. Language barriers can usually be handled with Google Translate, and I would recommend taking a Mandarin course to learn some basics. The university offers plenty of clubs and sports options. Taipei has a lively cultural and social scene, including nightlife. At the same time, Taiwan offers great nature, with plenty of opportunities for hiking and snorkeling or diving. Overall, the lifestyle feels quite Western in many ways.

6. Testimonial

The exchange at NCCU was a great experience with a good balance between studying and everyday life. My main advice is to take time to explore Taiwan itself, as the country has much more to offer than one might expect.