For many THWS students, a stay abroad is the highlight of their studies. One of THWS' partner countries is Taiwan – a country rich in culture, cuisine and know-how.
Published on 22 September 2023
For over 36 years, Taiwan with its partner universities has been one of THWS' major cooperation partners. There is lively exchange between THWS students and students at the Taiwanese partner universities. Dr. Daniel Wimmer, Head of the International Office, explains the traditional way of becoming a partner university: "There are relations between THWS colleagues and international universities. They then decide to collaborate in future." Subsequently, the International Offices connect to create structures and make first contacts from which a cooperation is then established.
The first contact with the partner university National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST) in Taiwan was made in 2010. Shu-Yun Yu is the contact person. She is Professor of German Literature and Language at NKUST and Director of the German Region Cooperation Center (GRCC) in the Office of International Affairs.
Taiwan is one of the most important strategic partners in East Asia. The small democratic island, about 180 kilometres east of the People's Republic of China, unites Chinese culture and a Westernised society. This unique combination is recognised by students as well as professors. Currently, THWS cooperates with five Taiwanese higher education institutions.
Unique experiences in Taiwan for THWS students
Business Administration, engineering, or design: THWS students of almost any faculty have the opportunity to complete one semester abroad in Taiwan at NKUST. Wimmer emphasises the incomparable personal benefits of a semester abroad in Taiwan: "Due to the multi-faceted culture, our students learn a lot outside of the university buildings. The all-encompassing diversity, culinary or geographic, makes the country's particular charm." At the same time, students benefit from a top-tier academic environment with modern research facilities.
Lukas Metzger made similar experiences. He is a student at THWS and spent two semesters in Taiwan from August 2022 to June 2023. He shared a student flat with a fellow student. "What immediately stuck out was that the culinary culture was completely different" Lukas says. "Our kitchen was sparsely equipped. That is why we rarely cooked and almost always went out for food. The costs of living are very low. For example, breakfast with coffee costs only three euro." His personal highlight were the so-called field trips: Together with about 20 other students he got thorough insights into the Taiwanese culture. "We visited Taiwanese temples and had traditional food there, we went to visit coffee and banana plantations in the jungle and spoke to locals", Lukas says about his first semester in Taiwan.
At university, mandatory attendance entails a great degree of discipline. Failure to attend can result in failing entire modules. "Exams are also different. Here in Taiwan, there are fewer written exams but many oral presentations", Lukas explains. He is looking forward to his home, but he also feels very enthusiastic about Taiwan. "It is a beautiful country, and you can reach lots of other nice places and countries from here." He complemented his semester abroad with travels to the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Looking at the student day-to-day and the lifestyle in Germany and Taiwan
During her visits to THWS, Shu-Yun Yu noticed some differences related to the university life. "In seminars in Germany, it is desired that students contribute their own opinion to the course", Yu says. That was different in Taiwan. "You are not used to speaking in front of an audience. That is why there is no active exchange with the professor."
Not only was Dr. Daniel Wimmer fascinated by the high academic standards but also by the extra-university activities. "Unlike in Central Europe, social life in Taiwan takes place mostly in the evening in the streets. While our young people meet in clubs or at house parties, the people in Taiwan meet outdoors, eat together, and enjoy each other's company. Here, there are so-called night markets, that always have a lot to offer", Daniel Wimmer says. The warm climate is the reason that draws people out. Taiwan is also considered a safe and orderly country. "At night, I never felt unsafe, the people were always very polite and pleasant", Wimmer adds.
The importance of international cooperation
It is essential that students gain as much experience as possible. "The working life of our students will no longer be limited to Lower Franconia. These times have passed", Wimmer says. It was crucial for students to test their abilities in a higher education setting and to experience success in international projects early on. "We help the THWS members to develop in completely different ways", Wimmer emphasises and refers to the future responsibilities in students' work life. Completing a semester abroad was a good opportunity to get in contact with the world.
TWIN bachelor's degree programmes and the THWS World TWIN project
From 2014, the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt has offered the so-called TWIN programme, that is also open to Taiwanese students. A particular part of the TWIN programme is the "THWS World TWIN project". "You could say that this project is the globalisation of the TWIN degree programmes", Dr. Daniel Wimmer says. THWS wants to provide a wide array of offers for international students. This is why the aim is to further intensify and develop international cooperation and exchange between THWS and interesting partners worldwide. The project "World TWIN" is currently focussed on the areas of robotics and mechatronics. Digital teaching, language courses and intercultural mentoring, aim to support the exchange of students in such a partnership network.
