This program has given me more skill and practical experience than any other project, job, or internship I've done, specifically because of how independent it was. I had to learn to solve problems and make decisions for myself. Now, I'll not only have the practical skills of using Altium Designer and more experience with microcontroller coding, but also problem-solving skills. For my career, this will be the experience I talk about the most.
Summer Global Research in Taiwan
Tainan City, Taiwan
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a democratic country in East Asia known for its advanced economy, particularly in technology, and its mountainous geography. The capital and largest city is Taipei. After the Chinese Civil War, the ROC government relocated to Taiwan in 1949, and the island has since developed into a global economic and technological leader.
Tainan, officially Tainan City, is a special municipality in southern Taiwan, located on the island’s western coast facing the Taiwan Strait. As the oldest city in Taiwan, Tainan is often referred to as the “prefectural capital” for its more than 260-year history as the island’s administrative center under Dutch rule, the Kingdom of Tungning, and later the Qing dynasty until 1887. Its long history of resilience, transformation, and renewal has earned it the nickname “Phoenix City.”
Academics
During this immersive program, students will collaborate with NCKU faculty and researchers on a range of advanced projects, gaining international research experience in one of Taiwan's top institutions.
Prerequisites
- Students must be rising juniors or rising seniors to participate in this program; students graduating the semester before the program begins are not eligible. Previous research experience preferred but not required.
- Students must agree to give a final presentation, in-country at the host institution, and submit a report at the end of the exchange.
- This is a non-credit-bearing program.
NCKU
National Cheng Kung University is a public research university located in the East District of Tainan, Taiwan. Founded in 1931 during Japanese rule as a technical and engineering college, the university is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Taiwan.
Research Areas
Students may select to work with a principal investigator (PI) from one of the following subject areas at NCKU:
- Chemistry
- Electrical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Aeronautics and Astronautics
- Geomatics
- Engineering Science
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Hydraulic and Ocean Engineering
- Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Chinese Literature
- Taiwanese Literature
- Foreign Languages and Literature
- Political Sciences
- Economics
- Psychology
- Law
Please contact Tufts Global Education for a current list of PI’s at NCKU.
If you are having difficulty finding a PI, please email Prof. Hwa Chang at hchang@ece.tufts.edu for assistance.
Student Life
Housing and Meals
- Students will be provided with single rooms in dormitories on NCKU’s campus for the duration of the program.
- A food allowance will be given to all program participants prior to departure for Taiwan. Students will need to budget accordingly to utilize their funds for the duration of the program.
Co-curricular Activities
- PI’s at NCKU will arrange co-curricular activities in tandem with students.
On-site Support
- Students will receive support from the Office of International Affairs at NCKU, including a mandatory on-site orientation; topics covered during orientation include how to successfully navigate life in Taiwan, in Tainan, and at NCKU.
Student Perspectives
“This program has given me more skill and practical experience than any other project, job, or internship I've done, specifically because of how independent it was. I had to learn to solve problems and make decisions for myself. Now, I'll not only have the practical skills of using Altium Designer and more experience with microcontroller coding, but also problem-solving skills. For my career, this will be the experience I talk about the most.”
“This program gave me the chance to learn about semiconductor manufacturing and experience how labs operate outside the US. It pushed me to adapt to a different style of research and to become more independent in my work and daily life.”
“I feel like being able to learn about semiconductor manufacturing in the world's leading semiconductor producing country was a huge opportunity for me and has already directly impacted my ability to land interviews at companies that I am applying to for next summer.”
Dates and Fees
Program Dates
- Program dates are confirmed each year but tend to run for 10 weeks from early-June until mid-August.
- Students must arrive on the specified start date to participate in this program; they may neither arrive late nor leave early.
Program Fees
- Students are required to submit a non-refundable $200 deposit once participation is confirmed by Tufts Global Education. If a student withdraws from the program after committing, the deposit will not be refunded.
- Upon completion of the program, including an in-country presentation and report, students will receive stipend with a pre-determined amount.
What’s Included
- Pre-departure orientation
- Visa assistance
- On-site orientation
- Housing
- Cultural activities/excursions
- Food allowance
What’s Not Included
- Roundtrip airfare
- Visa (if required)
- Vaccines (if necessary)
- Transportation costs in-country
- Personal expenses
Information for NCKU Students
Please consult the linked flyer for more information on program eligibility, a list of Tufts PIs, and to access the application for admission.