SMCM-CET in Taiwan

SMCM has partnered with CET to present a supported and rigorous Chinese-language program to SMCM students. This program enrolls students directly at National Taiwan University for an intensive language curriculum with small group classes, while also providing students with English-taught electives and internship options, cultural excursions, and housing around Taipei.

Please note that traditional Chinese characters are taught in Taiwan.

As a reminder, all students must apply both to SMCM’s Via TRM home campus approval application and to CET’s application for direct admission to the program, by the appropriate deadlines.

This program is located in Taipei, Taiwan, a city famous for night markets, street food culture, fortune telling, and more. While living in Taipei, students enjoy city life and access to mountains, beaches, small towns, and an airport.

This program offers intensive language instruction, for three hours a day through National Taiwan University’s Chinese Language Division (CLD). Before enrolling in their language course for 12 credits, students are tested through a remote language assessment and placed in the appropriate level, from Elementary through Advanced levels. Students will study traditional Chinese characters, with handouts and additional resources in simplified characters.

In addition to this, students choose a 3-credit English-taught elective, with options that have included “Taiwanese History, Culture, and National Identity,” “Sinophone Cinemas,” “Gender and Sexuality in Taiwan,” “Cross-Strait Relations between Taiwan and Mainland China,” and “Global Health: The Perspective from Taiwan.” Students also have the option to take an internship, as well. Internship placements in the past have included host companies such as Fulbright Taiwan, Amnesty International, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy, and more.

Students may also participate in this program's Environmental Studies track by taking one introductory Chinese class and multiple English-taught ENST electives!

Please see the “Academics” section of CET’s site for more details.

Students will live in a local apartment with a Taiwanese roommate and other CET study abroad participants. The fully furnished apartments have 4-8 residents and 2 people per room, offering a great chance to cook together and get to know the local life from a Taiwanese perspective. Apartments are within a 30-minute commute to campus.

Upon arrival to Taiwan, CET staff will support program participants and help them integrate to local life. Throughout the semester, CET offers several (included) extra-curricular activities exploring Taipei, such as an eating tour of the night market, a visit to a tea farm, and more. Students not only have a local roommate to help them fully immerse, but also will be assigned a language partner for a weekly language exchange with an activity stipend for these meetings. Life in Taipei offers students the unique chance to experience a busy city, filled with museums, temples, and amazing food culture, while focusing on their Chinese-language studies.