Taiwan Study Program 2008-2009

Qualified Emerson students may apply to spend one semester at Emerson’s sister school, Shih Hsin University, in Taipei, the capital of the Republic of China (Taiwan).  Founded in 1956 as the World Vocational School of Journalism, Shih Hsin University has grown to become the preeminent school of journalism, broadcasting and communication in Taiwan, with an enrollment of approximately 10,000 students.

Nestled in a small, verdant valley surrounded by lush vegetation, Shih Hsin has a modern city campus with residence halls, sports facilities and athletic field, a library of 385,000 volumes, wireless computer access across campus, a school store and post office. Taipei is one of the world’s most bustling, cosmopolitan cities, with a mixture of traditional Chinese architecture and modern skyscrapers.  The modern and efficient public transportation system (the MRT) makes exploring the city as easy as it is enjoyable.

Shih Hsin offers a number of courses in English, and Emerson students take a full course load. Offerings may include courses in marketing, management, organizational communication, writing, literature, film and editing.  All Emerson students are required to study Chinese (Mandarin).  Emerson students are also required to work part-time (20 hours per week, 5 days per week) as English instructors/tutors at Shih Hsin’s English Corner, an on-campus language lab where Shih Hsin students come to improve their English skills.  Student workers receive a monthly stipend.

Emerson students are required to live in Shih Hsin residence halls in shared rooms with baths on the hall.  They are integrated into the regular student resident population.  Meals may be purchased at the university cafeteria, or from one of the many vendors and restaurants which crowd the city markets.

Participants will pay home school [Emerson College] tuition for 16 credits of coursework.  Shih Hsin will provide housing in its residence halls free of charge.  Food, spending money, travel expenses, visa application expenses, etc., are the responsibility of the individual student.

The Taiwan Study Program is open to sophomores, juniors and first semester seniors (freshmen and graduating seniors are not eligible) with a minimum grade point average of 2.7 at the time of application.  Students may become ineligible if their average drops below 2.7 at any time, or if they are on academic probation.  Applications for the Fall 2008 term must be submitted to the International Study & External Programs office by April 15, 2007.  Applications for the Spring 2009 term must be submitted by November 1, 2008. 

• Download Application

Applicants will be screened and nominated by Emerson College, but acceptance decisions are made by Shih Hsin’s Center for International Academic Exchange.  Shih Hsin University Information may be found online at http://www.shu.edu.tw/shu-e/htm/03administration/03-10international%20.htm.  For more information contact the International Study and External Programs Office, The Colonial Building, 100 Boylston Street, 7th Floor Suite 702, telephone (617) 824-8567 or via email at taiwan@emerson.edu.

Students who wish to participate in any Emerson sponsored program or activity, including Emerson's external programs, must be physically and mentally able, with or without reasonable accommodations, to fully and safely participate in the program or activity. Students who suffer from a physical or mental disability, and wish to request accommodations that might enable them to fully and safely participate should contact Dr. Anthony Bashir at Emerson's Disability Services Office.