Office of International Affairs

When I first arrived at Chang Gung University (CGU), I was filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension. As an Indonesian student who had never studied Chinese before, the idea of learning such a complex language felt daunting. My knowledge of Mandarin was limited to a single phrase: "Ni hao" (hello). Despite this, I was determined to learn because I knew that mastering Mandarin was the key to unlocking many opportunities, especially as I aimed to build a career in Taiwan after graduation. Living in Taiwan, surrounded by the local culture, provided me with the perfect environment to begin this journey, albeit one filled with challenges, humorous anecdotes, and unforgettable moments.

Studying abroad always seemed like a mix of excitement and uncertainty. But my journey to Chang Gung University (CGU) in Taiwan turned out to be much smoother and more rewarding than I ever imagined. From discovering the university to settling into campus life, every step exceeded my expectations.

Hey Folks! Let me introduce myself, I am a student of Chang Gung University on a Dual Degree Program. Yes, I am still in bachelor study and I need to finish 2 years of study here in Chang Gung University. To give you a clear picture of my situation, I am a student doing a study in two different universities. My home university is Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (Indonesia), where I completed my first and second years before coming to Taiwan for my third and final year. Due to that program, I am able to enjoy my time in CGU and that’s what I did when I first got here. CGU provides the best facility for its students. From the public transport, modern class, library, student activity room, cinema, even a museum for its study to enjoy. I only know about these facilities on the internet. However, when I arrived at this campus, my expectation was fulfilled. These facilities are very good and help me to adapt very quickly. I even feel like I’m not going abroad, as the people here are nice, the facility is good, and the food is perfect. But the main reason on my adaptation process is this campus facilities. The learning system here also matches with my learning method. I often feel bored when there is a lecture that lasts more than 2 hours. But here, the system where you can have a 10 minutes rest in each hour, it is jaw-dropping for me. Not gonna lie, at first, I’m in awe, because I can keep focus until the very last minute of the class.  I think you will face the same experience as me when you first come to this beautiful campus. However, it will be good for you if you have insider tips about Chang Gung University. Worry not! I am here to give you tips so that you can adapt easily in a short time. My first suggestion is to explore the campus. You need to know Chang Gung University until the very edge of this campus. You need to do this before the first week of semester starts, so then you won’t feel confused when you want to go to your class. Even though there is an English description in front of class, still, if you don’t explore it first, you will have a hard time finding your class. My second suggestion is to use the campus facilities, especially the library. CGU library has 5th floor, and each floor has different functionality. The 1st floor is the lobby, here is the location of the library administrator. If you want to borrow or return a book, this is the floor you'll be looking for. The 2nd floor is the publication floor, it is filled with thesis of a graduate student. The 3rd and 4th floor is the reading section, the difference is the 3rd floor contains Chinese written literature, whereas the 4th floor is written in English. If you are an international student, 4th floor is your comfort place to study. Finally, the 5th floor, it is the floor where enjoyment is at the max, especially if you are addicted to movies. Here, You can rent a room with your friends and play a movie that is provided by the library. There are a bunch of great movies provided here. If you want to relax for a bit but don’t have time to go outside campus, this is the best place to go. My third suggestion is to join all activities held by the Office of International Affairs (we call it OIA). OIA acts as a support for the international student, they provide campus tour, gathering, vacation, even part-time opportunities. OIA uses outlook or gmail to share information, so be sure to check your email regularly. These three suggestions are the reason why I can comfortably study here without many issues. Adapting also becomes easier as the campus provides the best service and support for me. To end this article, I think no matter who you are, you will find yourself comfortable on this campus. Trust me, this campus will make your study even more enjoyable yet still have high quality of learning.

Chang Gung university is Research-Oriented university Recognized as a top research university in Taiwan, particularly in biomedical sciences, engineering, and healthcare management. Chang Gung university located in No. 259, Wenhua 1st Rd, Guishan District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan. It is established at April 1987. Chang Gung University offers programs through its three main colleges which are college of medicine, college of engineering, and college of management. I come from physics engineering in Institute Technology Sepuluh November  Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. Institute Technology Sepuluh November is one of the top ten private university in Indonesia. Institute Technology Sepuluh November is research-oriented university that known particularly in engineering. I study in Institute Technology Sepuluh November for two years before my study in Chang Gung University. I currently studying in mechanical engineering departments with 2+2 double degree programs and will be studying at Chang Gung university for approximately two years from Fall 2024 to Fall 2026.I learned about Chang Gung university by seeing their website after I got a news about my study abroad for my International Undergraduate Program in Institute Technology Sepuluh November. I got the news about my study abroad in Taiwan about 2 months before my departure. So for two months before my departure I prepared for my first time study abroad by searching for transportation, food, and super market in Taiwan mostly in YouTube or google. In that two month I also learning some basic mandarin with the mandarin learning application on google play store. After two months of preparation, I also contact an Indonesian student that study in Chang Gung university to be guide for me and my friend that also come with me. That Indonesian student helped me and my friend a lot to be able to adapt living in Taiwan and helping us to learn anything that we need to learn as a student that study abroad. Chang Gung have five dormitory which are Yide building, Chongde building, Yunde building, Jude building, Mingde building. I currently stay at Ju De dormitory inside Chang Gung university. Chang Gung dormitory room have a complete room feature to support my daily life like bed, table, chair, air conditioner, free internet access. Beside complete room feature, Chang Gung university dormitory provide a water dispenser, washing machine, and study room in every floor. In the Basement first beside the car parking lot there is a family mart. That is the best feature for me beside free internet access and bathroom because I usually buy food and snack from there when I am busy with my homework. Chang Gung university has two big building. The first one is the Student activity centre. It have a Indoor basketball court, indoor badminton court, billiard room, table tennis room, etc that can be freely used by Chang Gung university students in the operate time. I usually play billiard in billiard room or playing badminton in indoor field with my friend in my free time or when waiting for the next class. The second big building is the main campus building where Advanced research labs and teaching facilities and Libraries and resource centers. The Libraries have a complete book literature for my study or any other major and a comfortable study space. I usually come to library to study in the study space or having a break in the audio room in the fifth floor of library.

Hi, I’m Riya Mukherjee, a 3rd-year Ph.D. student at the Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Sciences at Chang Gung University (CGU). I hail from India and this is my first experience studying abroad. Let me take you through my journey—from discovering CGU to adapting to life here, and how it has shaped me both academically and personally. I first heard about Chang Gung University during my Master’s studies at SRM University in India. One of my faculty members highly recommended CGU for its research and a strong focus on innovation in biotechnology. Little did I know this would become my next big step! After completing my Master’s, I worked as a project manager, which gave me valuable insights into managing research and collaborating with teams. When the opportunity arose to work with my current Ph.D. supervisor at CGU, I applied and successfully cleared the interview. That initial experience as a project manager at CGU allowed me to understand the research environment and paved the way for my doctoral journey. Encouraged by my supervisor’s belief in my potential, I applied for the Ph.D. program and was thrilled to be accepted. Moving abroad for the first time was both exciting and nerve-wracking. Taiwan was a completely new world for me, and I was unsure how I’d adapt. But CGU welcomed me with open arms. The vibrant international student community here, the cooperative Office of International Affairs, and the supportive faculty made settling in much easier. I quickly learned how to navigate cultural differences, communicate effectively, and embrace the beauty of living in a foreign country. From advanced biotech labs to collaborative spaces, the resources available here have been instrumental in my growth as a budding scientist. The university’s focus on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship has pushed me to think beyond traditional research, encouraging me to explore real-world applications for my work. This journey has not just been about academic excellence—it’s been about evolving into an independent researcher with critical thinking skills and the ability to manage complex tasks effectively. On a personal level, living in Taiwan has been an incredible experience. From learning to arrange my meals to budgeting, adapting to new social norms, and embracing global exposure, I’ve grown immensely. I’ve also had the chance to travel across Taiwan, experiencing its stunning landscapes and rich culture, which has added a layer of adventure to my Ph.D. life. Studying at CGU has been a transformative experience. It’s not just about the knowledge I’m gaining in biotechnology—it’s about becoming a more confident, self-reliant, and globally aware individual. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that stepping out of your comfort zone opens doors to opportunities you never imagined. My time at CGU has truly been life-changing, and I can’t wait to see where this journey leads me next!

Studying at Chang Gung University (CGU) has been a life-changing experience. I first learned about CGU during my undergraduate studies in Pakistan while exploring universities with strong programs in Chemical and Materials Engineering. CGU’s advanced research facilities and focus on innovation stood out, and after consulting with professors, I decided it was the perfect place for me.

When I first considered studying abroad, I wasn’t sure where to begin my search for universities. One day, a close friend of mine recommended Chang Gung University (CGU) in Taiwan, praising it for its strong academic programs and rising global reputation. At the time, CGU was ranked under 500 in the QS World University Rankings, which made it an exciting choice for someone like me, looking for an affordable and high-quality education abroad. Little did I know, this recommendation would set the course for an unforgettable academic journey.