Dear Filipino students, Taiwan wants you
AFTER obtaining a bachelor’s degree, an average Filipino student’s first instinct is to find a job. Some may start their own small company or take over an existing family business. Some travel abroad so that they can gain connections for a promising career. Whatever the means, the goal is ultimately to earn money. After all, for an average student who has been fighting to get a degree for their entire life, what’s better than finally earning money for themselves?
Chances are pursuing post graduate studies is an option that’s more like a thought in passing rather than a concrete plan. Of course law school or medical school are popular destinations too. But grad (graduate) school? Unless you are on a scholarship, that’s impractical. That’s shooting for the moon. It’s a plan that would have typical titas commenting, “better just to get married early, sweetie.”
At least that’s how grad school looked like to me about 10 years ago when I finished my bachelor’s degree. If I had Life Plans A to Z, Grad School sounded like the Life Plan that came, well, after Plan Z.
But here I am today on the vast East Coast of Taiwan, a summer and one semester away from finishing my thesis to officially earn my master’s degree.
Letting go
IN the process of getting here, I had to let go of a career that I loved and the life that I was so sure was meant for me. It’s been worth it, though. It’s a detour I never thought I’d enjoy but I’m having the time of my life right now despite being buried under books, half becoming a permanent resident of our school library, and never having time for a social life.
What’s interesting to point out, too, is that most of my classmates here are almost half my age. The Taiwanese educational structure dictates that Grad School is the standard after obtaining a bachelor’s degree. And I tell you, they take education and all that it entails really seriously.
Never mind the Asian stereotype but countries like Taiwan, for instance, have as many cram schools as they have students. We rarely have those in the Philippines. Although a private tutor is not unheard of, it’s mostly a luxury, not a necessity.
But why does society make us Filipinos feel as if we don’t like studying just as much as our neighboring countries, like we’re not good at studying?
I’ve learned the contrary during the past year I’ve been here in Taiwan, though – Filipino students are wanted and revered.
Wanted – Pinoy students
WHAT’S not to like about a Filipino student? They are hard-working, skilled, resourceful, creative, resilient, cheerful, and have excellent English language skills to boot.
This is exactly why Taiwan, a small, beautiful island nation that is located just a few miles north of the Philippines (it’s two hours away by plane from Metro Manila), is looking for more Filipino students to pursue their higher education there.
It was a surprisingly pleasant experience that I ended up here in Taiwan myself. Did I believe that I
would really be here today? Honestly, no. It just felt too late for me. It entailed leaving my comfort zone and dropping everything that I’ve built thus far in my life. It meant starting all over again.
But that’s the thing about Taiwan. It welcomes anyone regardless of their story, or their age, race, and identity.
No wonder it garnered the reputation of being one of the most progressive countries in recent years. And now it’s welcoming Filipinos to experience everything that it offers, including its stunning mountains, diverse culture, innovative infrastructures, job opportunities, and competitive education system.
Tzu Chi University: A welcome respite in Taiwan’s East Coast
ALIGNED with the island nation’s vision to bring in deserving people from various backgrounds, Tzu Chi University is one of the schools that currently offer excellent graduate and doctorate programs for international students.
Tucked in Hualien County, a vast area in the East of Taiwan, the Tzu Chi University campus is like a work of art. Filled to the brim with floral landscapes, as well as a gorgeous mountain range at the backdrop, it’s easily considered as one of the most beautiful universities in all of Taiwan.
It’s also home to some of Taiwan’s best medical practitioners and students. It proudly banks on humanity-centered research that contributes significantly to Taiwan’s medical industry. Needless to say, it had a 100% passing rate in Taiwan’s 2020 Medical Doctor National License Examination. Moreover, in the 2019 list released by the Times Higher Education, the university ranked 67th worldwide and the top among the other 12 Taiwanese institutes on the esteemed list.
The university was founded by Dharma Master Cheng Yen, who, after dedicating her life to compassion relief work, she realized that sickness is the root of agony and the mother of poverty. She visualized education as a crucial part of nation-building and thus established a medical college that continues to level up Taiwan’s gold standard for healthcare.
The Tzu Chi University principle is also unique in that while students get to experience top tier education, they are also grounded in activities with volunteerism and environmental awareness at the core.
Tzu Chi University has certainly become a sanctuary for a foreigner like me. When I first set foot here, I was literally the only Filipino student registered among its 3,300 plus student population.
Maybe reading this is a sign for you to take the chance I did as well. Let go of whatever is holding you back; maybe your new chapter awaits. Take it from me--no matter which point you are in life, you’re welcome here.
For more information on how you can get qualified for the Full English Master’s Degree or PHD Scholarship Program from Tzu Chi University, e-mail tcuoia@gms.tcu. edu.tw or visit www.oia.tcu.edu.tw.