Students at Texas A&M University-San Antonio who want to study abroad in Taiwan for two weeks in May have until March 8 to sign up.
The trip, led by Dr. Chin-Yen Alice Liu, associate professor of supply chain management, will be from May 9 – May 23 with a possible variance of up to two days.
Students who enroll in the study-abroad course can earn credit toward their degree.
The program will cover a three-credit-hour course in the College of Business: MGMT 4334_300 Current Topic – Supply Chain Management. Students in eligible degree plans can also substitute the course for one required in their major.
The course will last for two weeks instead of the usual 16-week duration. There is a $300 non-refundable application fee.
“This is a student self-funded trip,” Liu said in an interview Feb. 22. “The only assistance students will get financially is a $2,500 scholarship, which will go towards their trip if they qualify.”
Students not enrolled in the College of Business and unable to substitute the required course have two options: take the course even if it isn’t part of their degree plan and receive the scholarship, or don’t take the course and receive no scholarship.
To qualify for the scholarship, students must meet specific criteria:
- Current enrollment at A&M-San Antonio.
- Enrollment in six credit hours during summer 2024 (for undergraduates/graduates).
- GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- U.S. citizenship
- Have a valid passport.
- Enrollment in the study abroad course
- Submission of a 500–750-word essay explaining the personal benefits of the trip.
Students and staff are welcome to join the trip, but staff will not be eligible for the scholarship. Only students who take the course will be eligible.
Liu said if students meet the requirements to apply, they are highly likely to receive the scholarship since there are not many people signing up for the trip. So far, eight students have signed up.
Depending on the total number of students enrolled, students who receive the scholarship will need to pay $1,300-$1,700, whereas those who don’t must pay $3,800-$4,200. The latter includes the flight ticket, meals, transportation, admission to places and insurance.
The deadline to apply is March 8. On that day, students who didn’t receive the scholarship will need to pay the remaining payment for the trip.
This will be the second year of the study abroad program in Taiwan.
“I am a native Taiwanese,” Liu said. “I take students to my country, and I plan everything by myself.”
Students will visit five to six Taiwanese companies, two universities and museums. They will also explore the city, try the local cuisine, meet new people and have unique experiences.
“It is extremely important for our school to offer this program,” Liu said. “Majority of our students don’t have the chance to interact with a culture different from their own. It takes them out of their comfort zone to learn and understand that the world is much bigger than they think.”
The two universities are Chinese Cultural University in Taipei and I-Shou University in Kaohsiung.
Liu went to I-Shou University during her undergraduate years.
“I want students to see the university that I went to, how it is different from the university over here. When we went to the one in Taipei, we actually had a chance to have a class together with students and our students actually taught them how to make American food,” Liu said.
A&M-San Antonio alumna Yesenia Galvan joined the trip last May. She recalled teaching the Taiwanese students how to make quesadillas and grilled-cheese sandwiches.
“I got to know three of the students there and we still follow each other on social media and keep up with each other,” Galvan said.
Galvan described it as “an incredible opportunity.”
“I was one of those students that had never traveled overseas. It was one of the highlights of my four years in college.”
The trip also serves as a learning experience for Liu, who enjoys observing students challenging themselves to learn more.
Students interested in going on the trip will need to schedule a meeting with Liu. Students can also request a recording of the meeting to review and make an informed decision about whether they want to go.
Students can learn more about the trip here. For more information, email Chin-Yen.Liu@tamusa.edu.
Linda Delafuente contributed to this story.
