Why CET Taiwan?
CET Taiwan gives you access to the best parts of study abroad—intensive, customized language classes, internship opportunities in Chinese and English-speaking environments, and a location that balances life in the city with quick getaways to nature. And with Taiwanese roommates that bring language and culture into your home life, it won’t be long before Taipei feels like your new home away from home.
Academics
Semester
Snapshot
- Recommended Credits: 15
- Small class sizes
- Internship elective option
- Host University: National Taiwan University (NTU)
Curriculum & Syllabi
You combine a direct-enroll comprehensive language course with one elective for a total of 15 recommended credits. As short-term residents of Taiwan, students are expected to learn traditional Chinese characters. CLD courses are instructed using traditional characters, with handouts and additional resources in simplified characters.
You are placed into the appropriate language level and direct-enroll in a comprehensive Chinese language course for 12 credits at National Taiwan University.
Choose one of these 3-credit, English-taught courses to meet a recommended 15 total credits.
Intensive Chinese Language
Whether you are new to the Chinese language or already have several years of college-level experience, you take on an intensive curriculum with small group classes and plenty of individual attention. With passionate teachers, a smaller program size, local immersion, and Taiwanese roommates that bring active language practice into your home life, you leave Taipei with the knowledge and study habits to set you up for long-term language learning success.
Add an Internship, Too
Taipei’s job market boasts a wide variety of opportunities, including the political, educational, and civil society sectors. If you choose to intern for your elective, the course component complements on-the-job learning to not only build your résumé, but give you the framework and context to take ownership of your experience. At the end of the semester, you leave Taiwan with improved language skills and the insight required to successfully navigate an international workplace.
"I believe the internship course has definitely made me think broader and more deeply into my internship, from at the beginning simply viewing my internship as 'going to work,' to now a view of how it affects my overall human perspective and how I can actually get to know some Taiwanese people in a work setting, a rare opportunity to have."
University of Texas-Austin | Fall student
Housing & Meals
COVID Modifications
Because of precautions CET is taking related to COVID-19, your housing experience will look different from standard programming. Please see the COVID playbook page for more information.
- Apartment
- Off-campus housing
- Live with classmates and local roommates
- 4-10 people/apartment
- 2 people/room
- Shared kitchen and dining space, bathroom, in-unit washer
- Wifi, A/C, shared TV, linens, basic furnishing
You share a fully-furnished apartment with CET peers and local Taiwanese roommates and enjoy the independence of apartment life in the city. Cook at home or find your favorite bowl of Taiwanese beef noodle soup nearby. Host movie nights. Get a group together for a potluck dinner. And because your housing is conveniently located in the heart of Taipei, you have easy access to everything the city has to offer.
Local Roommates
Eating in Taipei
For meals, take your pick of the budget-friendly restaurants and food stalls nearby. Find the city’s best bowl of beef noodle soup or try e-a-jen (oyster omelette), a local favorite. And don’t forget to try as much as you can at the night markets throughout the city—you’re living in Taiwan after all. Feeling a home-cooked meal? Have a night in with your roommates and trade cooking tips as you prepare dinner together in your shared kitchen.
Life in Taipei
- Known locally as: 臺北 Táiběi
- Population: 2.67 million
- Local Currency: Taiwanese Dollar
- Famous for: Night markets, street food culture, Taipei 101, National Palace Museum
A paradise for nature lovers, foodies, and entrepreneurs everywhere, there’s no shortage of opportunities to explore what interests you. Take advantage of Taiwan’s status as a key player in the high-tech industry with an internship. Feast at one of the city’s many night markets. Watch a little league game. Bike the riverside. Check out the vibrant music scene. On weekends, explore Tainan or hop a flight to Hong Kong.
Activities & Excursions
Around Taipei
Each term, the program offers different extra-curricular activities that allow you to explore Taipei, experience local culture, or just unwind with your friends. Hike up Elephant Mountain and enjoy panoramic views. Join the weekly Lunchbox Lounge and catch up with the group. Bike up to Tamsui with the local roommates. And there’s even more to see on your own or with friends—see the view from the top of Taipei 101, enjoy the local baseball scene, or go see a music show on the weekend.
A Weekend Retreat
"I love having Taiwanese roommates! They are wholly wonderful people and I'm so happy to have the opportunity to live with them and get to know them. They have taught me so much about Taiwan and Chinese and just about being a good person. Overall 10/10 experience."
Grand Valley State University | Fall student
On-site Staff
Chunling Wang
Internships Director &
Office Manager
Program Fees
Fall/Spring
|
$17,020
Fall/Spring: $17,020
Of the total program fee, $13,390 goes to tuition and fees, $3,000 goes to housing and other student life fees, and $630 goes to quarantine housing and other COVID-related fees.
All of your classes and program-related learning are included with your tuition.
We arrange for you to live in a shared apartment with a local roommate. Your program fees go toward rent, furnishing, and other management costs.
We help you land the internship, make sure you’re prepared for your job, and then stay in close touch with your host organization… all semester long.
From pre-departure to orientation, from on site to re-entry, CET provides you with the support you need every step of the way.
You’re provided with a comprehensive insurance plan with GeoBlue that even includes medical evacuation coverage.
The activities and excursions that we arrange are included in your program fee. All you need to do is remember to bring your camera!
We guide you step-by-step through the visa process. You do the legwork, but we’ll make sure you have the documentation and information you need, when you need it.
Your textbooks and course supplies are covered and waiting for you on site.
You receive an official transcript jointly issued by CET and National Taiwan University at the end of the term. You also have the option to request a School of Record transcript from the University of Minnesota for an additional fee if necessary.
Estimated
Out-of-Pocket
Costs
- Round-trip Airfare: $950 - $1,200
- Meals during quarantine: $400
- Meals during the term: $1,250
- Personal Expenses: $1,450
- Visa Application Fee: $300
- Must be 18 or older at the time of program participation
- Open to students from any US college or university
- GPA: 3.0 or higher preferred, but admissions decisions are made on a case-by-case basis; lower GPAs still encouraged to apply
- Open to all levels of Chinese, from absolute beginner to advanced
Complete the application through your online CET account. This is a brief form that asks for basic information and has a few short answer questions about why you want to study abroad.
Use the link in your online account to send a recommendation request to one of your previous or current instructors.
This is an online form that your study abroad office fills out to let us know you meet the requirements to study abroad. To send the electronic form request, simply enter the name and email address of your study abroad advisor in the designated fields of of your online account.
Your online CET account has specific instructions for submitting an official transcript.
Fall deadline:
May 1st
Program Full
*Our fall 2022 program and waitlist are now FULL.
Contact CET to understand what this means for your application or start an application for Spring 2023.
Spring deadline:
November 1st
Price Subject to Change:
CET reserves the right to increase quoted charges at any time without prior notification, based on increased instruction costs, exchange rate fluctuation or other cost increases beyond CET’s control.
Have a question? Get in touch!
Annie Belleville
Student Services Coordinator
Advises on CET programs in Shanghai, Taiwan, and Harbin.
202.846.7648
[email protected]