Chinese Immersion with CET Taiwan in Taipei

Posted in News Story  |  Tagged announcements, China, Language Learning, news story, Semester Program, study abroad

Written by Jonathan Huang (SFS ’27) with questions presented by the OGE

My name is Jonathan Huang, and I am a rising senior in the SFS studying International Political Economy with a minor in Chinese. On campus, I am involved in The Georgetown Chimes. I am also a committee chair in the SFS Academic Council, and will be a choreographer for the upcoming Rangila 32 showcase! In my free time, I love biking around DC, watching movies, and hosting board game nights with friends. In the Fall 2025 semester, I studied abroad in Taipei, Taiwan, participating in the CET Taiwan Intensive Chinese Language Program.

Section 1: Why Taiwan?

Jonathan details why he chose to study abroad, what drew him to this program, and how it connects to his overall Georgetown academic journey.

Why CET Taiwan specifically?

After my high school graduation, some of my friends and I took a weeklong trip to Taiwan. I had some friends with family in Taiwan, and we were able to explore Taipei and the beautiful Alishan. I was captivated by the beautiful scenery and the delicious food, and I knew I had to come back to visit one way or the other.

How does this program connect to your major or long-term goals?

As a Chinese minor, I knew I wanted to study abroad somewhere where I could improve my Chinese language skills. CET Taiwan’s Intensive Chinese Language Program was perfect for me, as I had to take 12 Chinese-language credits. Along with the intense language program, just being in Taiwan, talking with cashiers, teachers, local Taiwanese friends, and overhearing conversations all subtly helped me in more ways than I anticipated.

What made you decide to study abroad?

I always knew I wanted to study abroad. College gives us the unique opportunity to explore the world while we still have support systems and structures to help make the process easier. The world is such a beautiful place to explore, and being able to experience living somewhere that isn’t the U.S. is such a fulfilling experience I knew I wanted to pursue.

Before arriving, what were you most excited or nervous about? How has that changed?

I was nervous about making new friends and acclimating to the new environment. I had not lived abroad before, and navigating my daily academic, social, and personal life seemed daunting. However, once I got there, things were not as bad as I expected. Making friends was very easy during the initial orientation, in classes with other students studying abroad, and through the language partner system, where I got to hang out with local Taiwanese students, practice my language skills, and do fun activities around Taipei. Figuring out my personal life (i.e., how to do laundry, how to recycle according to Taipei guidelines, etc.) ended up being pretty easy as well. After about two weeks there, I could confidently communicate with anyone and felt comfortable with my daily routine.

Section 2: Academic Focus & Learning

CET Taiwan is an immersive Chinese-language program based in Taipei. Here, students take a language pledge, participate in a local buddy program, and take part in cultural activities across the city.

What were your favorite (or least favorite) parts of language immersion?

My favorite parts of language immersion were finding new restaurants and shops around Taipei. Since I had to travel around for my internship [more about this in a later question], I was able to explore parts of the city I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to visit. I spent many days exploring cool restaurants I found online, cat cafes, themed shops, and many more! Being able to use the vocabulary I was learning in class directly outside the classroom was amazing! There were many times when I had just learned a new vocabulary term or phrase, and immediately started seeing it all around me!

Were you able to travel outside of Taipei, and how did that shape your overall experience abroad?

Yes! I had so many great trips all around the island. CET Taiwan had a biweekly newsletter that informed us about upcoming events. There was always something interesting to do. Some of the examples include a Martial Arts class, a calligraphy class, a trip to a tea farm, karaoke, a cooking class, and a pottery class, just to name a few! Many were free, provided by CET Taiwan, so it was always great to participate. There was also one large, entire-program trip to Sun Moon Lake, which was really fun! It was on my bucket list of places to visit, so it was great that the whole program went together. I got to room with other students in my program, played mahjong with friends at night, and spent a lot of time biking around Sun Moon Lake.

I also took a few trips around Taiwan by myself and with friends. Early in the semester, I took an overnight trip to Hehuanshan because I heard the sunrises were gorgeous above the “sea of clouds.” I used Taiwan’s incredible public transportation (mostly buses), signed up for a sunrise tour that I woke up at 3am for, and took some incredible photos of the sunrise. Another time, I took a day trip to visit a farm in Yilan, a neighboring county to Taipei. I also took multiple buses, ended up going to the farm, and saw capybaras, meerkats, and other animals! Worth the day trip. Finally, near the end of the semester, I traveled with my Taiwanese roommate to Tainan, a major city in southern Taiwan, and his hometown. I was able to see a Taiwanese Costco, see the amazing Tainan Night Market, bike around, and see the historical monuments all around. I felt like I truly explored the entire island, and it was not only convenient but also incredibly fun to travel!

Have you had opportunities to engage with local organizations or communities? What have you learned from these experiences?

I took the internship elective as a course at CET Taiwan, where the program helped me find an internship with a few of the organizations they partnered with. I ended up interning at Fulbright Taiwan, which was an amazing experience. I went into the Fulbright Taiwan office about 3 times a week, working in the office, getting to know my coworkers, and gaining a better understanding of the Fulbright system and Taiwanese business culture.

During my internship, I also attended the National Taiwan University Club Fair and the Taipei American School College Fair, which gave me glimpses into how different communities form even within academic environments. At the Club Fair, I found NTU Ukulele and the NTU Animal Rescue clubs, which I participated in a few times during my time in Taiwan.

Section 3: Daily Life in Taipei

Taipei, situated along the coast of northern Taiwan, is a capital city that has it all. With tons of night markets and urban life in close proximity to beaches and mountains, this city offers something for everyone to enjoy!

Tell us a bit about your daily life in Taipei – what’s your living situation like, and what’s a typical day for you?

I lived in a small apartment in the Da’an district with 3 other US students and 2 Taiwanese roommates. My Intensive Chinese classes were 8:20-11:10am Monday through Friday, so I would normally wake up at 7:30am, grab a quick breakfast from the 7-Eleven below my apartment, and take a YouBike to class. The YouBikes were my favorite thing in Taipei. Much like Capitol Bikeshare of DC, there were many stations all around the city, with bikes you could unlock and return at any station. Not only were all the bikes free with a membership provided by my program, but Taipei is also much flatter than DC, making biking much more enjoyable.

I would have class in the Chinese Language Center at the National Taiwan University. Afterward, I would usually grab food at the dining hall, take the MRT (Taiwan’s Metro), and go to my internship. After my internship, I would find somewhere in the city for dinner, then go back to my apartment and finish up my homework. I would usually take a study break with my roommates and go to the night market right across the street. With food, drinks, games, and shops, it was always fun to be there and experience the essence of Taipei.

What’s something you’ve experienced in Taiwan that you will never forget – big or small?

I will never forget the way they collect trash in Taiwan. There was only one type of trash bag, city-mandated for trash and recycling disposal, and many different categories of recycling. Additionally, trash collection was not placed in large bins outside residences; instead, a trash truck would come around every night, playing a tune similar to an ice cream truck, and residents in the area would line up to dispose of their trash and recycling.

At first, I was a bit surprised to hear this too. Sure, they take recycling very seriously and split it into many subgroups, but to have the entire population be so proud of their waste management system was crazy to me. It was admirable that the Taiwanese people were so passionate about their waste removal system; they took pride in how clean the streets were and in how they were helping to contribute to a safe, clean community around them.

What’s your favorite Taiwanese food, spot in Taipei, or cultural experience so far?

Taiwanese Fried Chicken! And Beef Noodle Soup, and Braised Pork Rice, and Bubble Milk Tea, and Apple Black Tea, and High Mountain Tea, and Sun and Moon Lake Black Tea. There was always so much great food at the signature Taiwanese night markets, and there were so many across the city, and in other cities as well!

The 7-Elevens in Taiwan were a core part of my and every Taiwanese person’s daily life. Not only could you get a wide variety of cheap snacks, meals, and drinks, but you can also buy concert tickets, pay taxes, pick up and send packages; 7-Elevens were truly the jack of all trades. Most mornings, I grabbed an Onigiri and Apple Black Tea from 7-Eleven, a filling breakfast that was only $2 USD. Everything in Taiwan was not only cheap but also delicious, always making me want to come back to try the food again.

Section 4: Reflections & Takeaways

Upon their return from their time abroad, the Office of Global Education encourages our Hoyas to reflect on how study abroad has impacted them and what lessons they have brought back to the Hilltop.

What personal growth have you noticed in yourself since arriving?

Something that I felt throughout my time abroad was confidence in my own independence. Obviously, coming to Georgetown by myself without my family was the first time I learned to be independent by myself, but especially being in a foreign country, where I was still learning the language, learning the customs, and how to function in everyday life, I had to rely on myself a lot more than usual. I truly appreciate my time abroad as I learned a lot of personal skills that will help in my personal and professional life, regardless of where I go. 

How has this experience influenced how you see your role as a global citizen? 

I recall a conversation I had with one of my Taiwanese roommates when we were visiting his old hometown of Tainan. I had so many questions about the city, the history of buildings, the reason why things were different than they were in Taipei, and so many small things that were different from life in the U.S. He answered all of my questions extremely well, but what I forgot was that he would have questions about my life in the U.S. as well. Obviously, being in Taiwan, I was able to soak in the culture and learn so much about the foreign country I didn’t grow up in, but a big part of cultural exchange is the exchange of information. I realized how important it was to know how to explain things about the U.S. Being a global citizen is not only going out to explore and learn about other places, but also being able to accurately and effectively communicate aspects of your own experience that others will be curious about.

Has this experience influenced what you might want to do after graduation?

Yes. With my newfound interest and expertise in Taiwan, I have started to look more towards China/Taiwan research-oriented opportunities. I am additionally planning on writing a Senior Thesis on Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, and plan to use my skills to analyze primary sources and documents from Taiwan’s government and semiconductor businesses. 

What advice would you give to other students who are considering studying abroad – especially in Chinese-speaking countries?

Do not worry about your current Chinese language ability! So many students in the program had never learned Chinese before, and were still able to acclimate well to the environment and learn a lot. Living in a country where the primary language is not your primary language is daunting, but especially in Taiwan, most people were able to speak English in case you needed help. In fact, Taiwan is aiming to become bilingual (Chinese and English) by the year 2030by incorporating mandatory English classes into primary and secondary schooling. What’s more important is that you are somewhere that you find interesting, that you will actually enjoy being in and exploring.

Additional Questions 

To conclude our interview with Jonathan, we asked rapid-fire questions, ranging from things we wish we had packed before going abroad to Taiwanese customs we hope to bring back! 

What’s one thing you packed that you’re glad you brought – or wish you had?

I was really glad I brought pictures of my friends and family from back home. Obviously, being in a new environment meant exploring things around me, but I made sure to have pictures of my friends and family in my room to remind me of the people I cared about (and also remind me to call them lol). I wish I had packed a clothes steamer; I had to go through a few subpar ones before I found one that would steam my internship clothes well enough.

What about Taiwan has surprised you?

How nice the public transportation systems were. I’ve mentioned it a few times already, but from the MRT (Taiwan’s Metro) being extremely clean and always air conditioned, the frequent buses always running on time, and the High Speed Rail system making a trip around the island extremely convenient, public transport was even better than I could’ve imagined. The U.S. has a lot to learn in that regard…

What’s a Taiwanese custom or habit you wish people in the U.S. would adapt? Or better framed, what about the Taiwanese lifestyle is different from the U.S. and will you still be implementing it upon your return?

Biking! I biked a ton, but I always saw other people biking, from kids to businesspeople, and it was a sight I rarely see in big cities in the U.S. anymore. It’s such a refreshing way to see the city, making commutes quicker and more interesting.

What souvenir would you definitely bring back? 

My Easycard. The card I used in the MRT and most stores around Taipei. Easycards usually feature a cute customizable design, and I still have mine today!

What’s a local phrase you’ve picked up, and what does it mean?

百闻不如一见 roughly translates to “it’s better to see it once than read it a thousand times.” It means that experiencing something is a million times better than just reading about. Go explore the world, go experience incredible things, taste delicious food, and make unforgettable memories! Go study abroad in Taiwan, it’s much better than just reading an article about it!

At the Office of Global Education, we are committed to providing a range of undergraduate study abroad programs that can work for any school and any major. CET programs enable students to engage in immersive learning in supportive environments across the globe. With Spring 2027 study abroad applications now open, we invite students to attend a mandatory Study Abroad 101 session to learn more about their options and begin the study abroad process. These meetings are offered several times per week, and are led by our team of Peer Advisors who have studied abroad in previous semesters. If you’re interested in learning more about studying in mainland China or Taiwan, book a meeting with the appropriate advisor on our website.