Have you considered studying in a Chinese-speaking country but don’t know where to start, or are you concerned about the cost of tuition and living expenses in a foreign country? Here’s a great opportunity for enthusiastic students like you to study in Taiwan with a scholarship, potentially saving you a significant amount of money while immersing yourself in a country where Chinese is commonly spoken.
There are two types of scholarships provided by the Taiwan government: the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship and the Taiwan Scholarship. These scholarships cater to students interested in pursuing undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral degree programs or even nondegree learning in Taiwan.
- Huayu Enrichment Scholarship: For students who wish to study non-degree Mandarin Language Enrichment courses in Taiwan.
- Taiwan Scholarship: For students interested in pursuing undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral degree programs in Taiwan.
If you are interested in studying in Taiwan, please visit the above websites for information on the amount of scholarships, eligibility, and required documents based on your citizenship. If you are not Canadian, you can reach out to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in your home country.
For any inquiries (e.g., if you wish to find the application page, which is not listed) or if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office at vancouver@mail.moe.gov.tw
Application Deadline: March 31, 2025
While some UBC students stayed on campus, others set off for immersive study experiences abroad. In this edition, we spotlight three students – Chantel, Erik, and Isidora – who took their passion for Chinese language and culture to the next level through exchange programs in China. They share personal stories, cultural insights, and how the UBC Chinese Language Program (CLP) prepared them for this adventure.
Student Spotlight: Chantel
Chantel at the Historical Buddhist Mountain site in Niushoushan, Nanjing, China
Chantel spent two semesters at Shanghai Jiaotong University, in Shanghai from September 2023 until June 2024. Chantel describes her decision of studying in Shanghai as a dream of hers, as she always wanted to improve her Mandarin and learn more about her parent’s heritage. She mentioned that learning about her heritage was what motivated her to choose China, and later Shanghai, as it is among the most extremely vibrant and international cities in China.
Surely, such a different culture and language would require quite some preparation to be able to experience the city and the culture as much as possible. Chantel describes that the CLP prepared her for living and studying in China by providing her with opportunities to practice her Mandarin.
“I think being a part of the CLP definitely helped me improve my Mandarin fluency and therefore, my confidence to speak with locals when I arrived.”
Chantel shares that she had numerous memorable experiences abroad, but there was one particular encounter that really stood out. Chantel describes that she became acquainted a couple of locals when she travelled to Chengdu, and in one of the restaurants there, the owner of the establishment taught Chantel and her friends how to play Mahjong after their meal. The group ended up playing for nearly 4 hours, and some locals walked past to look at their set up, and some even offered tips and offered encouraging commentary along the way. The owner said he promised them the same thing next time – delicious hot pot first, then some fun rounds of Mahjong!
Chantel playing mahjong with her friends from exchange
Upon reflecting her exchange journey in China, Chantel shared a couple of words of advice to future students who would consider participating in an exchange program or studying abroad in China:
“Be gentle on yourself, take it easy, and enjoy every step of the way! When I arrived in China, of course I was FULL of excitement, drive, and enthusiasm. But some impacts of culture shock were something I did not really expect. It took me about 1 – 2 months to really adjust to the life in China but after that - life could not be more fulfilling! I have no regrets for choosing Shanghai to complete my exchange experience and I look forward to the next opportunity to travel, work, or live in China again”
Student Spotlight: Erik
Erik chose to study at Tsinghua University in Beijing for the spring semester. He shared that what motivated him to pursue this exchange experience were his friends from UBC that also attended the University, and also because of Tsinghua’s elite university ranking.
Upon embarking on his exchange journey, Erik recalled that the CLP helped develop his Chinese skills, preparing him for his future career endeavours He said he owed this thanks to taking language courses within the program.
“I think the CLP really helped me develop my professional Chinese, as I did take a few classes in Chinese which required me to write essays and give presentations. Before taking classes and working at the CLP I've only spoken colloquially with friends and family.”
In addition to taking classes and practicing professional Chinese skills, Erik expressed that one of his most memorable encounters during his time abroad was offering his English skills to a class of domestic students. He explains that this experience was a very enriching one, as he got to meet friends and also learn about different school systems.
“A very memorable experience was helping with an English class of domestic students. I went to an event that was hosted by a professor hoping to help domestic students learn English, and it was very fun getting to know the Chinese school system on a more personal level, as well as helping out fellow students with their English learning!”
Erik’s adventure’s in China: Panda (left) a hallway illuminated by beautiful lanterns
Student Spotlight: Isidora
Isidora enjoying some Xiaolongbao at Shanghai’s Yu Yuan Garden during Chinese New Year
Isidora spent her spring semester in Shanghai, at Fudan University. During her exchange term, she took courses in International Relations and Chinese Society, and also took an intensive Mandarin language course. Let’s dive into Isidora’s journey.
Besides studying at Fudan University and meeting incredible people, Isidora described that she did a lot of travel within China. She travelled from one of the coldest provinces, Heilongjiang to see the world’s biggest ice sculptures, to travelling down to Shenzhen, in Guangdong province, one of China’s most southern provinces. In addition, Isidora also traveled as west as Yunnan all the way into Shangri-la, the capital of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Isidora describes her adventures like this:
“All of the sights I saw were breathtaking, and I was surprised to experience the region’s vast geographical landscapes. All of the travel was made super easy with China’s extremely well-connected transportation infrastructure, such as planes, high speed rail, and city metro systems.”
Isidora shares some photos from her travels in Shilin, Yunnan (left) and Harbin, Heilongjiang (right)
To prepare her for this study abroad journey, Isidora shares that the CLP equipped her with a lot of knowledge both linguistically and culturally.
“I am very grateful for having been part of the CLP community before going on exchange in China. By participating in the cultural events hosted by the department of Asian Studies and the Chinese Language Program, I came to China prepared with knowledge about certain things like games, and activities, and I learned very important phrases and vocabulary that I used in my day-to-day communication!”
Finally, Isidora shares that she underwent a lot of personal growth and development along the way, describing it as very “transformative”. She shares that being immersed in a different culture broadened her perspectives, especially teaching her about the diversity of the region, and to appreciate and understand different ways of life. In her words, Isidora explains:
“I became more adaptable and open-minded, as I navigated new environments and faced challenges, such as language, outside my comfort zone. The experience also boosted my confidence and independence, as I learned to solve problems on my own, communicate effectively in a different language, and build connections with people from different backgrounds. The friendships I made with locals and other international students also deepened my understanding of global issues and fostered a sense of global citizenship.”
“Overall, this experience has not only enriched my academic knowledge but also shaped my character, making me more resilient and curious. It has been a pivotal chapter in my life, influencing my aspirations and outlooks of the benefits of using the Chinese language in my future endeavours.”
The Chinese Language Program at UBC provides students with a strong foundation in Mandarin while fostering deep cultural understanding. Through immersive learning experiences—such as interactive classes and cultural activities—the program promotes personal growth and intercultural competence. Students like Erik, Chantel, and Isidora exemplify how language learning extends beyond the classroom, as they embraced opportunities to engage with local communities and immerse themselves in daily life while studying abroad. This hands-on approach ensures that students are well-prepared to navigate new environments, build meaningful connections, and make the most of their exchange experiences.
As we celebrate the success of our 2024 study-abroad students, we look ahead to the next cohort of global learners. If you’re ready to take your Mandarin skills abroad and experience Chinese culture firsthand, don’t miss your chance to apply for the Taiwan Scholarship and the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship this year. Applications are open until March 31, 2025. For further inquiries, you may contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office at vancouver@mail.moe.gov.tw.
Find out about the latest news through the CLP website, and follow us on social media @UBCChinese to discover more inspiring stories and celebrate the remarkable achievements of students within the Chinese Language Program!
