WZU-Henning Funke from Germany

After 12 years of school in Germany and three years of apprenticeship, I ended up studying in Taiwan.

I got in touch with Taiwan for the first time in 2013, my German secondary school and the German Department of Wenzao have set up an exchange program, and I was one of the lucky ones that got the chance to come over. And although I had my doubts when I left the airport, I fell in love with Taiwan pretty soon: the friendly people, great food, good weather, and the country’s beauty. All those great memories helped me decide to move over to Taiwan for my study program. In late August 2018, I entered Taiwan for the 6th time to begin my bachelor’s degree in International Affairs.

However, being enrolled in a Taiwanese university gave me new viewpoints on Taiwan. It was challenging to stay motivated in the first semester because of the cultural shocks I experienced for the first time. Although all my courses are taught in English, the language has been a barrier between international students and the locals. Furthermore, it took time to develop relations with them as local students are much shyer on average. And instead of student parties, I had to deal with physical education and cleaning floors in the beginning. But after understanding the Taiwanese culture on the campus, I saw the advantages and found the fun of being a student in Taiwan.

The Department of International Affairs enables studying at a high level in an international environment. The program covers the fields of international politics, international economy, and international cultural studies. It provides a variety of courses in each field, which makes it easy to meet personnel interests. In contrast to the very theoretical-based approaches in Germany, Taiwanese courses focus more on the practical usage of theories.

Wenzao creates an international learning platform for everyone. The university provides a campus that connects students from all over the world that gives unique insides into different cultures that have helped me to develop as a person, but also widen my horizon. Wenzao’s international professors are not only experts in their fields but key persons for creating and maintaining team spirit and respectful social interactions among all students inside their lectures but also outside the campus.

Professors and staffs also provide a sympathetic ear, supports me in my private matters, and does a lot to pave the way for my graduation. They help me to connect all my interests and build them into a career. Studying in Taiwan was the right choice, and I can advise everyone to do the same, you will not regret it.