The Pre-Exchange Experience: Part 2

Table of Contents:

Part 1:
1. Introduction
2. Before Applying to the Exchange Program
3. Applying to the Exchange Program at my University

Part 2:
4. Applying to National Taiwan University
5. Waiting for Acceptance to NTU
6. Conclusion


So, here’s Part 2! Enjoy!

4. Applying to National Taiwan University:

For the next few weeks, I kept my fingers crossed that I wouldn’t have to do an interview for NTU because that meant that demand exceeded supply. Which meant I might not be able to go to NTU. So, I waited, and waited, and waited some more. No interview invitation came and after I resigned myself to thinking that I hadn’t been accepted, after almost 6 weeks, I was accepted! Yes!! That so made my day, even though it wasn’t acceptance into NTU.

Now came the next part of the pre-exchange process. Applying to NTU was a different experience than applying to my university’s side of the exchange program. First off the bat, the forms didn’t print out properly on 8X11 paper because they were made for A4 paper. Another thing was the medical exam. Which was a very thorough medical exam, and I only had 2.5 weeks to get it done! Allez-y! (Long wait and then short deadline? Eep! The deadline was later extended.)

I found the NTU application invasive but very funny. One question asked me the portion of vegetables that I ate in comparison to deep fried food. Another asked about my sleeping and betel nut chewing habits. (Betel nut?! What is that? I know now…) I have no idea why NTU needs to know those things.

Things that I had to include in my application to NTU:

• medical and insurance proofs
• statement of purpose
• head shots of myself (Just in case I become a criminal)
• passport photocopy
• letters of recommendation from professors (get on these early, just in case you’re refused)

However, the medical form was the most memorable and fun. I had the opportunity pee into a cup, bare my chest, get it x-rayed and to root through my own excrement for laboratory testing! Mmm tasty… It really was fun to do! It was like squash at Thanksgiving.

5. Waiting for Acceptance to NTU:

Another waiting period! However, this one felt a teensy bit faster because there were finals to study for. While waiting, actually procrastinating a bit from studying, I found out that the HIV test was mandatory from the NTU site.

Mandatory?! No HIV test = possible refusal?!

My mind at that point leapt ahead to drastic situations where I was refused acceptance to where I was accepted but deported in handcuffs upon arrival in Taiwan. Urgh… This was due to a little bit of a mix-up where I was tested for chickenpox instead of HIV. After getting the test done and the results in, and after a total of almost 11 weeks of waiting, in the middle of June, I was finally accepted! I guess NTU was very thorough with my application.

6. Conclusion:

So now, I am currently waiting for my official acceptance letter so I can apply for my resident visa. I’m also getting visas to other places so that I can travel while over in Asia. Yay, Asia!

Tip: For Taiwan visa information, go directly to the consular services because the website(s) are confusing. And, going 1/2 hour before they close to ask some visa questions, is not the best idea. You might not get the most friendly of service.

And, before I forget, I want to thank the people I’ve talked to about this subject because this opportunity is simultaneously scary and exciting. Thank-you.

To close, I truly, truly think that I’ve become a more patient person as a result of this. Maybe. Hah! Anyways, I hope that you’ve found my story about applying for an university exchange helpful to you. Thank-you for reading all this. If you have any questions or comments pertaining to this subject matter, please leave a comment or email me. But now I must brush up on my rudimentary Mandarin now so I’m not totally lost in Taiwan. Ciao!