National Chengchi University (NCCU)

Ill just be the first to say then that maybe NCCU is a good university to study abroad, but from my experience as a student here it is a terrible university. I have had such a terrible time here I truly regret coming to NCCU. And this is not just because NCCU is poorly administered with poor professors, but it is a reflection of the overall Taiwanese experience. 

First, it was a pain getting my visa. This is a whole nightmare story itself, but to make a long story short the individuals at the de facto Taiwanese embassy in the United States really don't care to help you figure things out in regard to submitting documents (like getting previous academic records officially recognized by overseas Taiwanese offices). Just expect this to be a pain. This was a similar experience in sending in documents (notarized transcripts again) after I had already been accepted. 

Finally I get to Taiwan after much heartache just to find out I missed orientation. Why didn't anyone email me that this would be when healthcare is signed up for, other important information administered? Probably because the Office of International Cooperation is truly confused about whats going on as different people tell you different things. 

Then there's the classes. Don't expect the professors to teach. They don't think they need to. And also they have been told to focus more on producing research papers as I was told by the director of IMES program as of November 2018 so I assume this will continue to be the policy going forward. That means larger classes, less focus on preparing lectures etc. And if you think that means they are just easy classes to pass, don't assume that. IMES program in particular is extremely intense on its tests with ruthless professors not willing to help. This is especially the case for the required courses. You will be much better off being extremely familiar with economics if you wish to be successful. Perhaps they shouldn't have accepted me then. I wish they hadn't in the end. 
 
Okay what if you are coming to Taiwan just to get a taste of a different culture and see the world? Well okay that is fine if you are interested in a Chinese-like society, but honestly there are so many better options around Asia to do this like Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Seoul, or Tokyo. Don't get me wrong; Taiwan is a great place to visit and Taipei is a great city that has a lot to offer. But keep in mind, NCCU is 45 minutes away from the city center. And as for things around NCCU there's the zoo and Maokong Gondola. That's about it. There's one bar--Temper--that is close to the campus. Really that's all you're looking at. Even when you get to the city, the nightlife is quite dull compared to Bangkok, Tokyo, or Seoul in that everything shuts down relatively early at 3 am. 

Let's not forget the air quality. It's terrible. Maybe not Taiwan's fault, but its still 5 out of 7 days above 75 PMI and about once a week as high as 150 PMI. If you are not familiar with these levels of air quality, then its bad like you can't breath bad. 

I am not saying don't give Taiwan a try. Maybe its a great fit for you. But NCCU is a terrible university. I implore you to explore other options in Taipei if you are dead set on living here like NTU for example. But even if I was in a different program I think the whole experience was just terrible and I really hope nobody else who is on the fence makes the same mistake I did. In any event, don't let my bad experience be the main determinant of your decision. There are a lot of students here that really like NCCU, but just beware.

Ill just be the first to say then that maybe NCCU is a good university to study abroad, but from my experience as a student here it is a terrible university. I have had such a terrible time here I truly regret coming to NCCU. And this is not just because NCCU is poorly administered with poor professors, but it is a reflection of the overall Taiwanese experience. First, it was a pain getting my visa. This is a whole nightmare story itself, but to make a long story short the individuals at the de facto Taiwanese embassy in the United States really don't care to help you figure things out in regard to submitting documents (like getting previous academic records officially recognized by overseas Taiwanese offices). Just expect this to be a pain. This was a similar experience in sending in documents (notarized transcripts again) after I had already been accepted. Finally I get to Taiwan after much heartache just to find out I missed orientation. Why didn't anyone email me that this would be when healthcare is signed up for, other important information administered? Probably because the Office of International Cooperation is truly confused about whats going on as different people tell you different things. Then there's the classes. Don't expect the professors to teach. They don't think they need to. And also they have been told to focus more on producing research papers as I was told by the director of IMES program as of November 2018 so I assume this will continue to be the policy going forward. That means larger classes, less focus on preparing lectures etc. And if you think that means they are just easy classes to pass, don't assume that. IMES program in particular is extremely intense on its tests with ruthless professors not willing to help. This is especially the case for the required courses. You will be much better off being extremely familiar with economics if you wish to be successful. Perhaps they shouldn't have accepted me then. I wish they hadn't in the end. Okay what if you are coming to Taiwan just to get a taste of a different culture and see the world? Well okay that is fine if you are interested in a Chinese-like society, but honestly there are so many better options around Asia to do this like Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Seoul, or Tokyo. Don't get me wrong; Taiwan is a great place to visit and Taipei is a great city that has a lot to offer. But keep in mind, NCCU is 45 minutes away from the city center. And as for things around NCCU there's the zoo and Maokong Gondola. That's about it. There's one bar--Temper--that is close to the campus. Really that's all you're looking at. Even when you get to the city, the nightlife is quite dull compared to Bangkok, Tokyo, or Seoul in that everything shuts down relatively early at 3 am. Let's not forget the air quality. It's terrible. Maybe not Taiwan's fault, but its still 5 out of 7 days above 75 PMI and about once a week as high as 150 PMI. If you are not familiar with these levels of air quality, then its bad like you can't breath bad. I am not saying don't give Taiwan a try. Maybe its a great fit for you. But NCCU is a terrible university. I implore you to explore other options in Taipei if you are dead set on living here like NTU for example. But even if I was in a different program I think the whole experience was just terrible and I really hope nobody else who is on the fence makes the same mistake I did. In any event, don't let my bad experience be the main determinant of your decision. There are a lot of students here that really like NCCU, but just beware.

Ill just be the first to say then that maybe NCCU is a good university to study abroad, but from my experience as a student here it is a terrible university. I have had such a terrible time here I truly regret coming to NCCU. And this is not just because NCCU is poorly administered with poor professors, but it is a reflection of the overall Taiwanese experience. First, it was a pain getting my visa. This is a whole nightmare story itself, but to make a long story short the individuals at the de facto Taiwanese embassy in the United States really don't care to help you figure things out in regard to submitting documents (like getting previous academic records officially recognized by overseas Taiwanese offices). Just expect this to be a pain. This was a similar experience in sending in documents (notarized transcripts again) after I had already been accepted. Finally I get to Taiwan after much heartache just to find out I missed orientation. Why didn't anyone email me that this would be when healthcare is signed up for, other important information administered? Probably because the Office of International Cooperation is truly confused about whats going on as different people tell you different things. Then there's the classes. Don't expect the professors to teach. They don't think they need to. And also they have been told to focus more on producing research papers as I was told by the director of IMES program as of November 2018 so I assume this will continue to be the policy going forward. That means larger classes, less focus on preparing lectures etc. And if you think that means they are just easy classes to pass, don't assume that. IMES program in particular is extremely intense on its tests with ruthless professors not willing to help. This is especially the case for the required courses. You will be much better off being extremely familiar with economics if you wish to be successful. Perhaps they shouldn't have accepted me then. I wish they hadn't in the end. Okay what if you are coming to Taiwan just to get a taste of a different culture and see the world? Well okay that is fine if you are interested in a Chinese-like society, but honestly there are so many better options around Asia to do this like Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Seoul, or Tokyo. Don't get me wrong; Taiwan is a great place to visit and Taipei is a great city that has a lot to offer. But keep in mind, NCCU is 45 minutes away from the city center. And as for things around NCCU there's the zoo and Maokong Gondola. That's about it. There's one bar--Temper--that is close to the campus. Really that's all you're looking at. Even when you get to the city, the nightlife is quite dull compared to Bangkok, Tokyo, or Seoul in that everything shuts down relatively early at 3 am. Let's not forget the air quality. It's terrible. Maybe not Taiwan's fault, but its still 5 out of 7 days above 75 PMI and about once a week as high as 150 PMI. If you are not familiar with these levels of air quality, then its bad like you can't breath bad. I am not saying don't give Taiwan a try. Maybe its a great fit for you. But NCCU is a terrible university. I implore you to explore other options in Taipei if you are dead set on living here like NTU for example. But even if I was in a different program I think the whole experience was just terrible and I really hope nobody else who is on the fence makes the same mistake I did. In any event, don't let my bad experience be the main determinant of your decision. There are a lot of students here that really like NCCU, but just beware.