The very first students of the College of Polytechnics Jihlava spent the winter semester at the National Chin-Yi University of Technology in Taiwan

Šárka Křišťáková: "Taiwan was an unexpected adventure for me."

Šárka, a student of the Bachelor's degree programme in Finance and Management at the Department of Economic Studies of the College of the Polytechnics Jihlava, chose Taiwan for her experience for several reasons. "I have a long-standing interest in Asian cultures, and Taiwan was the perfect place to start. It's a country that is not as touristy, and relatively inexpensive. It was an offer not to be refused," she explains.

At Taichung University, she chose courses including Basic Mandarin, Special Topics in Wellness and Culture, Management of Technology and Business Innovation in Management. "The approach of the teachers was great, the teaching in English was seamless and the real-life examples helped us understand the theoretical concepts better," adds Šárka.

In addition to her studies, she also enjoyed the local culture. "Taiwan is not a tourist destination, but those who get there have a unique opportunity to experience real local life. The people are friendly and helpful, which really surprised me. In Taichung, you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings and cheap food, which is perfect for students," sums up her impressions.

Jiří David: "Taiwan is a technological superpower and a great place to study."

Jiři was attracted to Taiwan primarily because of the university's technical focus and the opportunity to take part in classes not only in automation. "Taiwan is a technological superpower, and this is a huge opportunity for me," says Jiří, who is studying for an associate Master's programme in Applied Engineering at the Department of Technical Studies of the College of Polytechnics Jihlava.

At Taiwan's NCUT, he studied courses focused on machine vision, machine learning and advanced thermomechanics. "The university offers a wide range of courses, but most of the teaching is in Chinese. Fortunately, English was widespread enough for all international students, and I personally had no problem with it," says Jiří, who quickly got used to the academic environment there.

Culture and Life in Taiwan: Between Tradition and Modern Technology

Both students agree that Taiwan is a country of paradoxes. "On the one hand, it is a high-tech country that excels in developing new technologies and innovations, and on the other hand, it still retains traditional values such as respect for nature and family," says Jiří.

For Šárka, the trip to the mountains was an unforgettable experience, where she got to know not only the beautiful nature but also the local customs. "Special Topics in Wellness and Culture took us on a trip to the mountains where we not only made a challenging climb, but also learned about traditional ways of preparing food and local culture. It was absolutely unique."

Photograph: Šárka and Jiří with a coordinator Chantal and a member of NCUT academic staff (The photo is shared with the students' consent)

Although both students came away with a range of experiences that enriched their academic and personal lives, what they valued most was the attitude of the people who surrounded them. "Taiwanese people are very helpful and accommodating. I will not give up the opportunity to return to Taiwan and pursue a master's degree," Šárka concludes. Jiří, who is currently working on his master's thesis on automation, is also realistically considering returning to Taiwan to pursue further studies and focus on low-budget automation projects. He is also interested in returning to Taiwan to continue his studies/professional career.

Both students agree that their experience in Taiwan was memorable and enriching. Not only did they gain new knowledge and skills in their field of study, but they also experienced a unique culture that has influenced them not only in their personal lives but also in relation to their professional focus.

The Rector of the VŠPJ Zdeněk Horák secured opportunities for exchange study visits of students and academics of the VŠPJ by signing a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Taiwanese NCUT. In addition to mobility, cooperation on joint research and development projects was confirmed. For more information about the issue, please click HERE.

Mobility was financially supported by the Vysočina Region.