Perceptions of Students

India

Tan Sim Yee


University
Ming Chuan University
Major
Computer use


I’m Sim Yee, a 24 years old girl who born in Malaysia. I’ve complete my Diploma in Mass Communication in Malaysia, thus I decided to complete my Degree in Taiwan Ming Chuan University.



Before I start my degree in Ming Chuan University, I’ve been working as a reporter about 1 year in Oriental Daily Malaysia, under Advertising and Sales Department. During the one year working, I found that marketing is important and can be applied to many industries, however, my marketing knowledge wasn’t that good, and thus I want to continue my study to enhance my knowledge. So, I decided to study in MCU and taking Advertising and Strategic Marketing course to get an ideal job in future.



1. What made you decide to study in Taiwan?



The environment, safety and freedom of speech are the factors that attracted me to study in Taiwan. I believe that living and studying in a new place will force myself to grow, increase my creativeness and keep my eyes open while study in school. Not only knowledge learning but also learn the culture, the way people communicate and working together with different people either in-school project or off-campus internship. Last but not least, the freedom of speech makes me know more about others, get to know perceptions from the opposite sides and make me want to think widely.



2. Briefly tell us about the program you are studying. What subjects are you studying? What have you enjoyed the most in your studies?



I’m currently studying Advertising and Strategic Marketing course, it is all about marketing, media, public relations, creativity and consumer insight. The most enjoyed part of the study is group assignment and knowledge sharing from a teacher. Both of these always benefit students and brainstorm us think out of the box. The interaction between teacher and students are good, from info sharing we tend to know more about career, sometimes is not about the knowledge but experience. If we participate more events, we tend to learn more. That’s why teacher always encourages student join some activities to keep our eyes open.



3. How is studying in Taiwan when compared to studying and being a student in your home country? (Teaching Quality、Environment、School Equipment、Laboratory or others)



First, the difference between my country and Taiwan is the society and university. Taiwan is more emphasis on individual rights, media ethics, and law. But in my country, our understanding of rights and law are slightly shallow. Thus, students in Taiwan understand their rights, things can do and cannot do while organizing events, publish personal perception or announce news on social media. Second, the teacher in Taiwan tends to be more encourage students to give out self-opinion, not only one-way communicate in class. There is always a short discussion in class before finish lesson. The two-way communicate always brainstorm us and train us to think in different ways.



4. What has been the most difficult part about applying to study in Taiwan? How did you overcome the difficulty?



The most difficult part when I applying to study in Taiwan was preparing documents to apply for universities. Few months after I graduate from my college, some documents still not prepare for students who are looking for overseas study. The department in-charge not giving responsibility on it, graduated student like me were required to email that university that I applied Taiwan to get an official letter, once they received an email from those universities they will prepare those relevant documents for applying study. So I decided to send emails and phone calls to the relevant department to explain and ask for help. Million thanks to that person-in-charge who replied my email and helped me to complete it even they have lots email to reply and working tasks to be complete.



5. What do you plan to do after you have finish your studies in Taiwan? Would you like to stay in Taiwan?  Why?



After complete my study in Taiwan, I’m looking forward into marketing planner under event company or media company in Malaysia. Although the working environment and living quality in Taiwan are better than Malaysia, but due to my parents are getting older, I hope I could spend more time with them so I will be back to my country for my career and the same time with family.



6. How do you think studying in Taiwan can benefit you in your future career?



I believe study in Taiwan will transform myself into a better person. Either portfolio in university, knowledge or attitude. I will be studying in Taiwan about 3 years, thus I believe my creativeness, ideas, and portfolio will help the team to grow. Furthermore, I found that the communication style between Taiwanese and Malaysian are very different. When we have different opinions and try to pursuit others, the way they discuss and the choice of words are nice. As a media student, communication is very important because we are the bridge between public audience and corporate. If we could talk nicer than we can avoid lots of PR problem and build up the team.



7. What do you see as your key achievements when studying in Taiwan?



Meet new friends from other countries and learning knowledge are the biggest achievements to me studying in Taiwan.



8. What advice do you have for other interested overseas students who want to come to Taiwan to study?



“While in Rome, do as the Romans do”, from living style, foods, seasons and etc., enjoy the difference with your country and have fun because we only live once.