National Sun Yat-Sen University

Taiwan is located near Japan and Korea to the north, the Philippines to the south, and mainland China to the west. Its central location makes it a perfect destination for further travels in East Asia.

With its diverse landscapes and rich culture, Taiwan is a popular destination for travelers. The island offers a mix of sunny beaches, lush forests, and peaceful countryside. Modern cities blend ancient Chinese and Japanese temples with towering skyscrapers in cities that buzz with activity into the early morning. The experience is further enriched by dazzling festivals, relaxing hot springs, and delightful dining options.

The majority of Taiwan's population consists of ethnic Chinese, many of whom are descendants of immigrants from mainland China's Fujian province. There's also a sizable number of people who arrived in Taiwan from various regions of China after World War II. Additionally, a significant Hakka minority is present in Taiwan.

Mandarin Chinese serves as Taiwan's language of government, education, and media, and it is widely spoken throughout the island and mainland China. Taiwanese, the Fujian Province dialect, is spoken by a majority of the population as their mother tongue. Moreover, a considerable minority of Taiwanese speak the Hakka dialect.

Southern Taiwan has a very comfortable climate with warm and dry winters.

Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second largest city, is a lively and cosmopolitan hub, showcasing a dynamic lifestyle and a thriving commercial scene. As home to Taiwan's largest international seaport and an international airport, Kaohsiung is a vital gateway for travelers. Its harbor is a bustling center for international trade, boasting a major container port, dry dock, and ship salvaging facilities.

Beyond its industrial significance, Kaohsiung boasts an array of captivating tourist attractions. Discover the scenic Shou Shan (Longevity Mountain), adorned with temples, pavilions, and terraces offering breathtaking views from the Martyrs Shrine at its peak. And if you're looking to cool off, head to Hsitzu Bay's refreshing beach, conveniently located at the city's edge near Shoushan. Additionally, don't miss the unique black-sand Chichin Beach on a narrow island, forming the harbor's enchanting breakwater. The city is located roughly 4 to 5 hours away from Taipei, Taiwan's capital, by express train.

National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) is one of the most active and well regarded universities in Taiwan. The College of Management at NSYSU is considered by many to be among the top management programs in Taiwan.

Bounded on the east by a slow rising hill, the Longevity Hill, and facing west to the beautiful Hsitzu Bay and the Taiwan Strait, National Sun Yat-sen University has a campus that is quite unique in Taiwan, with the Port of Kaohsiung lying to the south and Mount Chai rising to the north. Moreover, the campus is located at a convenient 10 or 15 minute bus ride from the bustling Kaohsiung City and the busy Kaohsiung International Airport. The campus is well-planned to include gardens, beach, swimming pools and other facilities for extra-curricular activities. The library and computer facilities on campus are outstanding.

Activities

NSYSU provides a number of activities designed to allow exchange students to interact with local Taiwanese students and learn about Taiwanese culture. These include cultural field trips, a dragon boat competition, and a monkey ecological tour.

Course selection opens online one to two weeks before classes begin.

Courses in English

For a list of courses in English open to exchange students click here. NSYSU offers water sports courses including yachting, windsurfing, and diving.

Language Courses

U of L students are required to take at least one Mandarin language course, offered at various levels. Mandarin language courses are worth 3 credits. Past exchange students report classes and instructors at NSYSU to be excellent. Course work generally includes one midterm, one assignment, and one final per course.

Colleges with courses for exchange students include:

• Liberal Arts
• Science
• Engineering
• Management
• Marine Sciences
• Social Sciences
• Si Wan (Sport, Health, and general courses)

At NSYSU, every 18 hours is counted as 1 credit. For example, if the total class hours during a semester is 54 hours, the course is a 3-credit course.

You are eligible for this exchange if you are:

• A full-time U of L student
• In at least the 2nd year of your program
• In good academic standing, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher

It is MANDATORY to obtain a visa before arriving in Taiwan.

One-semester students: One-semester students are required to apply for a Visitor Visa to enter Taiwan and extend their visa 15 days before the 60/90 days of Duration of Stay expires.

One-year students: For students applying for a full academic year, they must obtain a Resident Visa to enter Taiwan, and they are required to apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) within 15 days of their arrival. 

For further details about visas and the ARC, contact the Consulate General of Taiwan in Vancouver and visit their website.

For detailed information about vaccination recommendations when visiting Taiwan, please visit the Government of Canada's website.

Campus Residences

• Cost (2023): Twin room - NT$3,000-17,000/semester (approx. C$550-715), Quadruple Room - NT$8,500/semester (approx. C$350)
• Students generally stay in campus residences, which are located on the beach
• Rooms are either twin (two beds) or quadruple (four beds)
• Bathrooms are shared with the sixteen students living on each floor. Internet connections are available in each room.
• The refundable damage deposit (approx. C$40) and full housing fee is due upon registration
• There are separate buildings for male and female students

Private Housing

• Cost (2023): Approx. NT$5,000-12,000/semester
• NSYSU provides resources to assist in finding off-campus housing on the website

Arrival Information

Students can take the Airport Shuttle from the Kaohsiung Airport to the Railway Station and transfer to Bus No.1 to the University. The Airport Shuttle runs to and from the Railway Station and the Kaohsiung Airport every 15 minutes.

In Kaohsiung

Buses: Buses are a convenient transportation tool in Kaohsiung. The ticket fee for the bus is NT$12 (C$0.50). Bus No.1 runs to and from the University and the Railway Station. The bus stop is right in front of the university entrance.

Ferries: Ferries play a key role in everyday transportation, and often play the role that buses do in other cities, especially for transportation crossing the harbor. Inexpensive ferry service is available between different parts of Kaohsiung City as well as between the city and the Chijin Distric0t, which lies on an island in the harbor.

Metro: The Kaohsiung Rapid Transit System is the underground metro system serving Kaohsiung, consisting of two lines and 37 stations. There is also an LRT service in the southwestern area of downtown that will eventually become a circular route throughout downtown.

Train: Kaohsiung is served by the Taiwan Railway Administration's Western Line and Pingtung Line. The city is roughly 4 to 5 hours away from Taipei by express train.

Students going on an exchange pay regular U of L tuition and fees. For up-to-date tuition information, visit the U of L's Financial Services website.

It is MANDATORY to obtain health insurance valid for your entire period of stay in Taiwan. Additionally, students are required to pay the Student Group Insurance Fee of NT$326 (approx. C$13, 2023) at the beginning of the semester. Full-year students who obtain an ARC are required to enroll in the National Health Insurance plan, which costs NT$826/month (approx. C$35, 2023).