SMS-ACUCA 2019

2019/2020

SMS ACUCA REPORT

STUDENT MOBILITY SCHEME THE ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES IN ASIA

FEBRUARY-JULY 2019 SEPTEMBER-JANUARY 2020

Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages Providence University

Kwansei Gakuin University

2019/2020

SMS ACUCA REPORT

STUDENT MOBILITY SCHEME THE ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES IN ASIA

FEBRUARY-JULY 2019 SEPTEMBER-JANUARY 2020

Sanata Dharma University

SMS ACUCA 2019

Contributors: Hedwig Tiara Svayambhu English Language Education Study Program Rinella Ermayanti English Language Education Study Program Yohana Alaya Prudent English Language Education Study Program Stephani Kurniawan Wiadji English Language Education Study Program Chrisantia Theresia Manorek Economic Study Program

SMS ACUCA

01

Pre-Departure

03

Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages

06

Providence University

23

Kwansei Gakuin University

34

Personal Reflection

38

PAGE 1

Student Mobility Scheme of the Association of Christian Universities and Colleges in Asia (SMS-ACUCA) is an exchange program for the students who are in the member of the Association of Christian Universities in Asia. The 9 members of the Association of Christian Universities in Asia are Hongkong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, Myanmar and India. In this program, the students study in a host university which the students choose for 4 months in order to achieve the purpose of this program. The purpose of this program is to facilitate the students with a better experience, understanding, and education about the Asian community and cultures.

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ACUCA MEMBERS INDONESIA

▪Sanata Dharma University ▪Parahyangan Catholic University ▪Petra Christian University ▪Satya Wacana Christian University ▪Maranatha Christian University ▪Duta Wacana Christian University ▪Soegijapranata Catholic University ▪University of Pelita Harapan ▪Krida Wacana Christian University ▪Atma Jaya Catholic University ▪Atma Jaya University, Yogyakarta ▪Dhyana Pura University ▪Tarakanita School of Communication and Secretarial Studies

JAPAN

▪Momoyama Gakuin University ▪International Christian University ▪Kwansei Gakuin University ▪Meiji Gakuin University ▪Seinan Gakuin University ▪Nanzan University ▪Doshisha University ▪Aoyama Gakuin University ▪JF Oberlin University ▪Sophia University ▪Osaka Jogakuin ▪Hiroshima Jogakuin University ▪Kobe College TAIWAN

▪Fu Jen Catholic University ▪Soochow University ▪Tunghai University ▪Chung Yuan Christian University ▪Providence University ▪St. John's University ▪Chang Jung Christian University ▪Wenzao Ursuline University of Lang.

▪Aletheia University

SOUTH KOREA

▪Ewha Womans University ▪Sogang University ▪Soongsil University ▪Yonsei University ▪Keimyung University ▪Hannam University ▪Handong Global University INDIA

▪Christ University ▪Lady Doak College HONGKONG

▪Chung Chi College ▪Lingnan University ▪Hong Kong Baptist University THAILAND

▪Asia-Pacific International University ▪Payap University ▪Assumption University ▪Christian University of Thailand THE PHILIPPINES

▪Assumption College ▪Ateneo de Manila University ▪Central Philippine University ▪De La Salle University ▪Philippine Christian University ▪Siliman University ▪Trinity University of Asia ▪Filamer Christian University ▪Miriam College ▪St. Paul University Philippines ▪De La Salle University-Dasmarinas ▪La Consolacion University MYANMAR

▪Myanmar Institute of Theology

PRE DEPARTURE

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SELECTION PROCESS Before applying for SMS ACUCA program, we have to decide one host university. If you are not sure yet about your decision, you can definitely check SMS ACUCA website for the information related to the list of the universities. Right after deciding the host university, we have to submit the application form and other requirements needed for the desk evaluation, such as academic transcript, financial report, and TOEFL certificate.

If you already have a passport, it will be a plus because it can help you to prepare other requirements faster once you get accepted.

After submitting the requirements, you just have to be patient! The International Office will contact you if you pass the desk evaluation. Once you hear good news, the first thing that you have to do is preparing the documents for visa application!

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VISA APPLICATION From all the preparation that we have done, visa application takes the longest time.

It needs complementary

It is way easier as we only need to fill in some information needed by the travel agency. It will take

documents, namely flight ticket, travel insurance, and other important documents. Actually, you can do all of these preparations alone if you think you

around two or three weeks for the visa to be ready. While waiting for the visa, you can find a travel insurance that meet your needs.

are able to take care of everything.

Yet, if you think you cannot manage to do all of them, the International Office can help to arrange the flight tickets and visa application through a travel agency.

DEPARTURE PREPARATION Other than all the immigration matters, we have to make sure that we get permissions from our academic advisor and chair person in our study program. We also have to consult the courses that we will take in the host university. It is done to make sure that we can transfer the scores of all courses that we choose.

If the paper work is done, we can start to pack the things that we have to bring for the exchange program. Make sure to check the weather in the host university! It is important so that we will only pack the clothes and shoes that we need. Bringing Indonesian food and some souvenirs from Indonesia is also a good idea since we can use it as a tool to introduce Indonesia to other international students or even to the lecturer in the host university.

WENZAO URSULINE UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES

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A B OU T WE NZA O Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages was founded by the sisters of the Roman Union of the Order of St. Ursula in 1966. It was named in honor of Wenzao Lo, the first Chinese Bishop.

號

Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages is located in No. 900 , Minzu 1st Road, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 80793. Despite the small size, the university is convenient for the students as it is equipped by a gymnasium, library, dorm, cafeteria, book store, mini market (Hi Life and 7 Eleven), ATM, soccer field, running track, indoor basketball field, volleyball field, auditorium, and chapel.

Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages has four colleges, namely College of English and International Studies, College of European and Asian Languages, College of Cultural and Educational Innovation, and College of Liberal Arts Education. Moreover, each college is divided into several departments.

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HOUSING Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages gives three possible options for the international students. We can choose either the university dorm or Daya Apartment. It is also possible to find an apartment by our own. However, the most convenient option for me is the dorm. It is cheaper and nearer than Daya Apartment as it is still inside the university. Moreover, the dorm also equipped with laundry room and semi-open kitchen. You simply have to prepare NTD 20 if you want to use the laundry machine. If you also need the drier, you have to prepare extra NTD 20 every time you use it. Even though there is no stove, the dorm provides toaster and a slow cooker.

Additionally, if you choose to stay in the dorm, you have to share your room with other three roommates. Yet, you do not have to worry because the room size is enough for four people to move around. The room is quite simple but you have everything you need. It has bed, mattress, bedding, pillow, closet, desk, chair, book shelf, and a bathroom to share. To keep your place clean, there will be general cleaning twice a semester. All the residents have to do it properly unless they will not get back their deposit money.

Student Dormitory

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TRANSPORTATION There are several transportation alternatives that you can choose if you are staying in Kaohsiung. The first one will be the city bus. Kaohsiung city has so many buses with different routes. If you are not sure which number to take, just use your google maps. It will show you several bus numbers that you can take from your place to the destination. Other than bus, Kaohsiung also has MRT. It is fast, clean, and quite cheap. But please remember not to eat, drink, and smoke once you step your foot inside the station unless you will be fined. To know the schedule for both bus and MRT, you can download an app named Kaohsiung iBus or BusTracker Taiwan.

City bus

Actually, you can pay with cash if you take the bus. However, I suggest you to top up the balance in your student card to get a discount and to make the payment easier. It is exactly the same for the MRT. You can buy a single-trip token every time you use the MRT. Yet, it will be more convenient if you pay with you student card. Just in case you have not got your student card yet, you can buy an iCash or EasyCard in 7 Eleven. It works the same with your student card but of course without the student discount. Besides, you can also use those cards to rent a bicycle.

Student ID pass

MRT

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STORES 1. 7 Eleven 7 Eleven is one of the most famous minimarket in Taiwan. You can easily find it everywhere.

Similar to Indomaret in Indonesia, 7 Eleven sells mostly instant food and bottled drinks.

Yet, printing service is also provided in 7 Eleven.

2. Family Mart Family Mart and 7 Eleven sells almost the same thing. However, Family Mart also produces some snacks sold only in the store. Thus, if you are looking for some Family Mart snacks, you definitely have to come here.

3. Carrefour This France brand also exists in Taiwan. Just like Carrefour in Indonesia, this store provides many kind of stuff from instant food, vegetables, fruits, bottled drinks, imported food, toiletries, and many other things. Come an hour or 30 minutes before they close and you will get a discount for white or wheat bread!

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4. PX Mart This store is similar to Carrefour. It sells food, fruits, vegetables, beer, and toiletries. As this store is bigger than Carrefour, you can have more options for the things that you are looking for.

5. INDEX INDEX is a holy grail for all Indonesians staying in Kaohsiung. You can get many Indonesian things here, such as Indomie, other Indonesian snacks, teh botol, Indonesian coffee, and toiletries. They also have offer shipping service and money transfer to Indonesia.

Store like PX Mart and Carrefour often charge you for every plastic bag that you ask. Thus, for you who do not want to pay more and want to save the earth, I recommend you to bring your shopping bag every time you go to the supermarket.

Let’s be eco-friendly and economic!

SMS ACUCA SPRING TERM FEBRUARY - JUNE 2019

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ABOUT THE PARTICIPANT I am Hedwig Tiara Svayambhu, a student of English Language Education Study Program. On my 8th semester, I decided to challenge myself to go out of my comfort zone. Hence, I joined an exchange program called SMSACUCA.

Moreover,

after

asking

some

detailed

questions

to

the

international office and doing a mini research about some possible countries, I chose to study in Taiwan, specifically Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages. Following stories are some of my experiences staying in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

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COURSES For this SMS ACUCA program, I took 4 credits and other 10 credits per week for intensive Chinese class in Chinese Language Center. The courses that I took were Professional Public Speaking Training and Intercultural Communication: Taiwan Image.

1. Professional Public Speaking Training This course was basically about doing different kind of speeches during the semester. The lecturer gave some lectures about public speaking, namely the type of speeches, things to prepare before doing a speech, things to avoid while doing the speech, and ideal visual aids. Other than that, the lecturer also taught the students to evaluate each other’s speech by giving comments and scores.

During the semester, the students did a commemorative, persuasive, and impromptu speech. Moreover, for midterm and final exam, the students had to do a written test.

2. Intercultural Communication: Taiwan Image This course focused on the culture in Taiwan. The book entitled Why Taiwan Matters were used as a reference. In addition, this course also invited a guest speaker to give a lecture about Taiwan indigenous people.

I was so lucky because I can understand Taiwan culture and know so much more about the indigenous people in Taiwan. I had a chance to visit Taiwan Indigenous People Park and watched an amazing performance by all of the indigenous tribes.

Since some international students also took this class, they also had a chance to share about their cultures. Thus, the students in the class also got an exposure about other cultures.

PAGE 15

3. Chinese Language class This intensive Chinese class was designed specifically for exchange students in Wenzao. The class was held in the Chinese Language Center from 3-5 p.m. As it was a ten-credit class, the students had to come from Monday to Friday. Yet, Wenzao did not force all the international students to join. They could choose whether or not they want to join.

There was a test everyday to check whether the students memorize each character well. In addition, after finishing one chapter, the teacher also gave writing and listening test. After completing one semester of intensive Chinese class, the students can get a certificate from the CLC by paying NTD 100 for the postage.

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INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS' PROGRAMS 1. Getting to know Hakka Culture Section of Overseas Student Affairs (SOSA) usually holds a study tour for the students every once a semester. During my stay in Wenzao, SOSA held a trip to Meinong. Everyone who joined the program had to pay NTD 150. It was including the transportation, lunch, and fee for every activity that we did in Meinong.

We left the university early in the morning. As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed by the tour guide. He explained about the history of the place and Hakka culture. Then, he explained the process of making mochi and Hakka traditional drink. After that, the students got a chance to make both the mochi and the drink in a small group. The trip ended by eating good food in the restaurant.

2. Trip to Penghu Other than a trip held by SOSA, CLC also had its own trip for the Chinese class students. This time, CLC decided to have a three-day trip to Penghu island. It was a super fun trip because we visited so many beaches, ate good food, and slept well in a good hotel.

Penghu is really different from Kaohsiung. The air is super fresh, the sky is blue and sunny, the water is clear, and the seafood is super delicious. It is perfect to get away from a hectic routine.

SMS ACUCA FALL TERM SEPTEMBER-JANUARY 2020

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ABOUT THE PARTICIPANT Hi, pals! My name is Rinella Ermayanti. I am a student of English Language Study Program batch 2015. Before I graduate, I wanted to have semester abroad. Â SMS-ACUCA was the best option for me since I wanted to travel to another Asian country. I chose Taiwan, specifically in Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages, because it is one of the best language universities in Taiwan. Â Besides taking classes, I also got chance to learn Chinese every day. Here are my remarkable experiences, enjoy!

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ABOUT THE PARTICIPANT Hi there! I am Yohana Alaya Prudenti, a student of English Language Education study program of Sanata Dharma University batch 2015. In my last year of university, I challenged myself to join an international program to have more experiences before I graduate. After I amassed some information about international programs provided by the International Office affair in Sanata Dharma University, I decided to join SMS-ACUCA program for Fall Semester. Furthermore, after I decided to join this program and did some study about the possible host universities, I chose to do my exchange program at Wenzao Ursuline University of Language (WZU) in Taiwan. I chose WZU because this university is a famous language university in Taiwan and I also want to learn the Chinese language there. Here are some stories about my experiences being an exchange program student in Kaoshiung, Taiwan.

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COURSES For this fall semester, we took five classes with 11 credits and 10-credits Chinese class in Chinese Language Center. The five classes are Second Language Acquisition, Professional Public Speaking Training, Teaching Children English, English Journalism, and Educational Technology and English Language Teaching.

1. Second Language Acquisition This course was about the theories of second language acquisition. Most of lectures discussed the theories in groups. In this course, the students were required to actively participate in class, such as asking and answering questions, in order to get additional scores.

2. Professional Public Speaking Training In this course, we learned about types of speeches, how to make a speech, and how to present a speech. Every student presented two speeches; introductory and informative speeches. Other than that, we also learned how to use visual aids.

This semester we had a collaboration with another Public Speaking class from Nansen University, Japan, to provide peer evaluation of each other's speeches. Furthermore, we had written tests for the midterm and final examination.

3. Teaching Children English This course was about teaching the Elementary students from a rural school in Kaohsiung. The class was divided into groups of 4 people with one or two Elementary students. We taught them for 40 minutes through online Taiwan learning website. It was a good experience to be able to teach and share our knowledge with them.

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4. English Journalism This course required the students to report the recent news in every meeting and to present an oral presentation regarding the hot issues. We also learned journalism in sports, technology, entertainment, etc.

5. Educational Technology and English Language Teaching In this course, we were exposed to the theories of language learning environments, using and discussing applications of computer technology in the language classroom. We created projects and presented them in front of the class.

We think that this class was the most challenging one since it required us to do many projects. Not only that, it also broadens our knowledge in teaching English as we are future English teachers.

6. Chinese Language class From Monday to Friday, we had Chinese class in Chinese Language Center for two hours. In this class, we learned Chinese language; both written and oral activities. Almost in every meeting we had Chinese test to make sure that we understood the Chinese characters.

We also had a chance to know the other exchange students in this class.

We happened to have friends from Japan, Korea, Germany, Russia, Spain, and France.

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INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS' PROGRAMS SOSA is the international office of Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages that usually provides some activities for the international students and helps us when we face some difficulties here. From the very first day, we got help from SOSA member as they picked us up in the airport when we first arrived in Kaohsiung.

Before all of the international students started the semester, they also gave us an orientation days to welcome us and helped us to know the campus better. Along the semester, they also held lot of fun activities such as moon festival celebration, singing competition, midterm semester lunch, a Halloween party and even a city tour around Kaohsiung!

We were not only enjoying the activities from SOSA, we also attended an event held by the Chinese Language Center (CLC) which is Chinese Singing Competition.

For this competition, Yohana and our friend from Korea, Eunyeong, decided to join the singing competition as a duo group and surprisingly we got the winner title! We were so happy on the competition day as most of our friends here came and supported us, and we also got prize from CLC for winning the competition.

PROVIDENCE UNIVERSITY

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A B O UT P RO VI DEN CE č™&#x;

Providence University is a private university located in No. 200 , Section 7, Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu District, Taichung City, 433. Providence University provides many facilities such as auditorium, gym, swimming pool, soccer field, running field, basketball fields, volleyball fields, mini markets (Family Mart and Seven Eleven), canteens, ATM, post office, book store, convenient store, providence bus for those who want to go to another building or go outside from Providence University, and library. Luking Library of Providence University has a great facility. This 10-story building provides many facilities for the students such as music appreciation room, discussion rooms, movie corner, computer corner, writing corner, study corners, etc. Providence University does not only facilitate the students in the academic field but also non-academic field, so the students allow to join university or faculty clubs which are interested for the students.

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HOUSING Providence University gives two options for exchange students to live. First options is living off-campus (Formosa Apartment) and second option is living oncampus (dormitory) . Formosa is rent rooms in Tunghai Villa. It is 15 minutes by bus from Providence University. Formosa provides single room. If students are interested to live off-campus, the students should pay 7,500/month and need to pay the electricity monthly.

The dormitory is inside the Providence University area. The dormitory is 5-story building and one room for 3-4 people. If the students are interested to live in the dormitory, the students should pay 2,000 NTD for the bedding set and 11,000 NTD for renting the room.

Formosa, Tunghai Villa

Female Dormitory

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TRANSPORTATION There are six public transportations that you can take in Taichung City. First, students can take the City Bus. There is a lot of city bus in Taichung City.

Every bus has a number for each direction. The students can track the bus through the Taiwan Bus Tracker application or Google Maps. Students who have student cards are free for the first 10 km taking the city buses. In late-night, there are not many public transportations to take you home. There is only one bus who operates until late at night; bus number 326. The other options are taking a Taxi or Uber. Taxi is available for 24 hours in Taichung city and the students can stop the taxi directly as long as the taxi is available. Taxi can drive you to another city in Taiwan. Uber is an application for an online taxi. The payment is using a credit card/master card/visa. Taking the taxi may be cheaper than taking uber. Besides, for students who want to go somewhere while sight-seeing the city, students can rent a city bike called uBike in a uBike station. uBike is a rent city bike that can be used in Taichung City.

There is a lot of uBike station in Taichung City. The students should register a uBike account using a student card and Taiwan phone number.

For the students who want to go to other cities, students are able to take a bus. There are two buses; Ubus and Kuo-Kuang. The ticket is able to buy in the bus station, Family mart, and SevenEleven convenient stores. The other option is going by THSR Train. Taiwan High-Speed Rail Train (THSR Train) is an intercity high-speed train.

It costs more than the bus. The students who want to go to another city by THSR Train are able to find in Taichung High-Speed Rail Taichung Station.

SMS ACUCA FALL TERM SEPTEMBER-JANUARY 2020

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ABOUT THE PARTICIPANT I am Stephani Kurniawan Wiadji, an active student batch 2015 from the English Language Education Study Program at Sanata Dharma University. In my last year, I wanted to experience a long-term exchange program before I graduate. After doing small research about various exchange programs in the International Office, I chose the SMS-ACUCA program for the Fall semester 2019. I was interested in studying at Providence University (PU) because PU had a good reputation in Taiwan. I chose to study at the Department of English Language, Literature and Linguistics in order to deepen my literature knowledge for my thesis. Besides, I also took a Chinese language class for 10 credits. Fall semester 2019 started on September 4th, 2019 until January 12th, 2020. Here is my experience while studying at Providence University, Taiwan.

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COURSES For this SMS-ACUCA program, the participant took 3 subjects in the Providence University. The subjects were Literary Criticism for 2 credits, Culture Learning for 3 credits, and Chinese Language for 10 credits.

1. Literary Criticism Literary Criticism is learning about literary critics, interpret literary works and literary theories. Literary Criticism class held every Thursday at 10.10 – 12.00. The lecturer used the English language and the Chinese language in the class. For the test, we had to do written-test. 2. Cultural Learning Culture Learning is learning about Taiwanese culture. In this class, the lecturer used the English language. We should do presentations of the sub-topics about Taiwanese culture in the group. The groups consisted of 6 up to 7 people from different countries. In the Culture Learning class, there were two trips to introduce Taiwanese culture directly from the students. The trips were in Sun Link Sea and Sun Moon Lake. Sun Link Sea trip was held on October 18, 2019. After the trip, we should write a report with 800+ words about the trip. Sun Moon Lake trip held on November 16, 2019. After the trip, the should write a report about the trip as well. In this class, we also had a Service Learning Program. In the Service Learning Program, we should make and do a presentation about their own country and introduce their country to Taiwanese elementary students in Taichung. The Service Learning Program held on December 5, 2019. For the mid-term test, we should do a presentation about Taiwanese culture in the group and for the final test, we should do a presentation about comparing Taiwanese culture with student's culture individually or in a couple.

Sun Link Sea Trip in the Culture Learning Class

Sun Link Sea Trip in the Culture Learning Class

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3. Chinese Language Chinese Language Class is learning about traditional Chinese language. In this class, the participant was in the beginner class. The class consisted of 10 people and held every Monday to Friday at 08.10 – 10.00. In this class, there were four activities in every chapter such as writing characters, homework, vocabulary quiz, and a big test. The big tests consisted of the listening section, grammar, writing section, and speaking section. For the final test, we had a test for Chapter 1 to Chapter 8 in this class. We also had an independent activity with all of the members of the Chinese class as well. The independent activity was a workshop for making bubble tea. I did really enjoy this fun class.

Bubble Tea Workshop with classmates and our teacher

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INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS' PROGRAMS 1. Orientation Orientation held on September 5, 2019, in order to introduce the exchange students about Providence University, international program, general things, immigration things, etc. The orientation was closed with a campus tour lead by International Friendship Buddy (IFB) members.

Orientation Day

2. Barbecue BBQ activity held on September 7, 2019 as welcoming activities for all exchange students in Providence University. The BBQ activity was opened with playing several games together and eating BBQ together. The BBQ was closed with walking around the place and playing outbound games together.

Outbound and Barbecue

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3. Meet and Greet Meet and greet held on September 17, 2019, at Providence University. In this activity, the International Friendship Buddy (IFB) members invited all of the exchange students to play some games together in a small group. IFB members also introduced the exchange students to our learning buddy. The learning buddy was a Taiwanese student at Providence University who would help the exchange students to learn about everything in Taiwan.

Games and group photo in the Meet and Greet

4. Midterm Tonic Midterm Tonic was an activity when seniors gave encouragements to their juniors by giving them snacks or teaching them some difficult materials.

Midterm Tonic is Taiwanese students’ culture during the Midterm tests.

Midterm Tonic held on November 14, 2019 with the International Friendship Buddy (IFB) members.

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5. Gao Mei Wetland Trip Gao Mei Wetland Trip was an optional trip for exchange students in Providence University. We needed to pay 350 NTD for this trip. We went by bus and enjoyed the beach and sunset in Gao Mei Wetland. In the end of the trip, we had dinner together in a restaurant.

Sunset in the Gao Mei Wetland

6. Sun Moon Lake Trip Sun Moon Lake trip was the same trip in the Culture Learning class. It was an optional trip for the exchange students, but for those who joined Culture Learning class should join this trip. The students who interested to join this trip should pay 250 NTD. Sun Moon Lake trip held November 16, 2019.

7. Farewell Dinner Farewell Dinner was a last activity for exchange students. The farewell dinner held December 19, 2019. The theme for the Farewell Dinner was Christmas, so the students should wear costumes which related with Christmas.

KWANSEI GAKUIN UNIVERSITY

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A B O UT K WANS E I GAK U IN Kwansei Gakuin University (KGU) is an independent institution for higher education, offering Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees in over 35 different disciplines to a student body of about 24,500, including approximately 800 foreign students.

It is now a comprehensive and integrated educational institution spread across six campuses: Nishinomiya Uegahara, Nishinomiya Seiwa, Kobe Sanda, Osaka Umeda, Tokyo Marunouchi, and Takarazuka. As the central campus is in Nishinomiya Uegahara, most schools are located in this area. The School of Policy Studies and the School of Science and Technology are located on the Kobe Sanda Campus, while the Nishinomiya Seiwa Campus is home to the School of Education.

SMS ACUCA FALL TERM SEPTEMBER-JANUARY 2020

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COURSES For this SMS-ACUCA program, the participant took 3 subjects in Kwansei Gakuin University.

1. JSC Political Economy of Japan 2. JSC International Finance and Asia Pasific 3. JSC Japanese Business A 4. JSC Introductory Japanese Finance 5. Global Governance 6. JSC Japanese Society 7. JSC Government and Politics in Japan 8. Management B 9. Japanese Language Mandatory Courses 10. Japanese Courses Elective Courses

REFLECTION

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Hedwig Tiara Svayambhu

Student of English Language Education Study Program It was indeed my first time going and staying abroad for a long time. I felt anxious.

Yet, I also felt excited at the same time. Before I departed to Kaohsiung, I already imagined how I would spend my days studying in a new society, interacting in a new language I had never learned, and having new friends coming from different countries. I thought that my stay would be exciting as I would discover new things every day.

As I arrived and spent my time in Kaohsiung, I started to feel that everything that I had imagined came to reality. I studied Chinese every day, explored traditional dishes from Taiwan, tried many local snacks, went from one tourist attraction to another tourist attraction, visited other cities in Taiwan, and many more interesting experiences. However, life did not forget to give me other lessons through my hardships during my stay in Taiwan. Sometimes, I could not help but missed everything that I left in Indonesia – I missed my family, friends, comfort food, and my mother tongue, Indonesian. When I felt this way, I looked back to every single moment that I spent in Kaohsiung – how I felt loved by my new friends in Kaohsiung, how the teachers here were so kind to me, and how I felt accepted in Kaohsiung, especially in Wenzao.

Many people asked me whether or not I regretted my decision going abroad and postponing my graduation. The answer is absolutely no. I am really grateful for this opportunity because I can meet many inspiring people and explore many places on my own. Moreover, I also learned to be responsible, independent, and grateful at the same time. It becomes one of the best experiences I have ever had during my study in university.

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Rinella Ermayanti

Student of English Language Education Study Program

It was a great experience living in Kaohsiung, one of the biggest cities in Taiwan.

The first two weeks upon my arrival were the hardest weeks by far. It took time to adjust with new environment, food, and people. The teachers and friends in school were very welcome and helpful. I was lucky to have them around me.

Everything in Taiwan was new to me since it was my first time going abroad. I stayed in the student dormitory that is located within the school area, which is convenient to walk to classes. Since I stayed in the dormitory, there were rules that I needed to obey, such as curfew and cleaning time during the midterm and final test. It was so different with my habit back in my hometown, Yogyakarta, which required me to adapt with the rules. But that’s how people live in dormitory;because we don’t live alone, rules are made to make us live comfortably among each other.

During my journey in Taiwan, I learned to be financially manageable. The food price in Taiwan is definitely more expensive than in Yogyakarta. Some stuff might be cheaper, but it doesn’t change the fact that living cost in Taiwan is higher. I also managed my time to both study and to travel. Travelling in Taiwan gave me chances to taste local foods, to visit famous destinations, and to learn the local cultures.

Studying in Wenzao was really fun. I got a chance to learn Chinese every day.

Learning Chinese is really hard since Bahasa Indonesia doesn’t have tones and characters. But I didn't want to stop learning Chinese because of that. Learning a new language is always fun. In this Chinese class, I got to meet a lot of friends from other countries and we had a lot of fun together in the classroom. We also had a trip together outside. But more importantly, we also shared our cultures to each other.

The cultures in Taiwan that surprised me were strict waste management, dry toilet, and self-service. But, they taught me to grow as a better person and I could learn anything from around me, which happened to make me respect and embrace cultural diversity.

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Yohana Alaya Prudenti

Student of English Language Education Study Program

I still remember the moment when I did one of the hardest class I ever took, Service Program Design, and got an assignment to find a motto of life. To be honest, I’ve never thought about a life motto in a serious way before, but as I got this task, I started to think about it. While I was thinking about this matter, this sentence “Life is a Box Full of Surprises” came into my mind and I chose this sentence as my motto of life. I chose this expression as I reflected my experiences the year before that I have got to experience so many things I have never thought before, so I think God always spares list of surprises to color our life. Surprisingly, not long after that moment, I got another surprise in life that I was accepted to be an exchange student in Wenzao Ursuline Univerity in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Along this journey of being an international exchange student, I got so many lessons in life, not only in the academic aspect but also in a non-academic aspect.

From all the classes I took here in Wenzao, I learned lot of new things as I’ve never taken those classes before in my home university. The most interesting thing among all my learning activities here was when I taught English to a Taiwanese elementary school student. It was a rare experience for me as this time my student’s native language is not Indonesian but Chinese. This activity challenged me a lot, as my students can’t communicate either English or Indonesian well and on the other hand, I am not at all a fluent Chinese speaker. I was extremely afraid at first, but with the help from my group members, I got rid of those anxiety and enjoyed this activity a lot.

Going along with the great academic experience I got, I also got a chance to broaden my point of view by living in a more global community during the period of this program. This program gives me chance to know and gets along with bunch of super friends! I met great friends here in my life in Kaohsiung, both Taiwanese and other international students who came from countries around the world. We shared our point of view about some topics and our experiences we got in life. For me, as I am a student of English Language Education, I got the chance to know how the condition of the education of some countries is; the system used, curriculum, activity in school and so many other things. During this five months of my life, we created so many beautiful memories while living together in Taiwan. Though none of us knew each other before and got lot of differences between us, but just like one of a proverb says, “A lot of different flowers make a bouquet,” these differences did not separate us but built our friendship a beautiful thing to keep in life.

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Stephani Kurniawan Wiadji

Student of English Language Education Study Program

September 4th, 2019, I didn’t believe my feet step on Adisutjipto International Airport to leave Indonesia. I didn’t believe I would not see these faces for the next 4 months. It was my first time to leave Indonesia and stayed in another country alone for more than 2 weeks. I joined an exchange program for one semester in Taiwan. I chose Providence University as my host university. On the other hand, my two other friends chose Wenzao Ursuline University as their host university.

The first two weeks were the hardest time to live far from all the things and the people you knew. Everything was new for me; people, language, culture, food, transportation, etc. I started to miss the people that knew me so well, I started to miss the taste that I usually tasted, I started to miss the atmosphere, I started to miss my routines, and I started to miss everything. But, those feelings were gone after I met many good friends there. The first time I arrived in Taiwan, I was excited and nervous to meet many new people. I was afraid that I could not be able to make a friend with the others and I was totally alone here. However, I was lucky because International Friendship Buddy (IFB) members were friendly and helped the exchange students if we had some problems. I had my first friend at the airport and it pushed me to make more friends during this exchange program. I took a Chinese language class in this program. In this class, we had 10 people in the class and I could say that all the people from my Chinese class were super fun.

We sometimes had lunch together, did our academic things, and hanged out after the Chinese class together. We talked about the differences between our cultures and several topics happening in the world. The little discussion among students from different countries made my eyes opened about other cultures and thoughts of the world.

Experiencing an exchange program taught me what hard work is. I took Literary Criticism at Providence University. Literary Criticism was totally new for me because I didn't learn about Literary Criticism before. It was difficult because the lecturer taught English and Chinese. He explained the example with Chinese and only said the point in English so that I had to study by my self by reading all the articles before and after the class.

I was gladly able to experience study abroad in Taiwan for one semester. This opportunity was able to strengthen our critical thinking of our culture by sharing about the culture, the problems, and the problem’s solutions for our country. I wish what I gained in Taiwan can be implemented in Indonesia.

INTERNATIONAL OFFICE Sanata Dharma University Central Building, 1st Floor, Campus II Jalan Affandi, Yogyakarta 55281 Phone: (+62) 274 513 301 ext. 51227 Email: io@usd.ac.id