:::
Explanations of activity
The College of Foreign Languages of Tamkang University was established in August, 1992. In September, the law and regulation related to students studying abroad during their academic enrollment was passed. In the next September, the Department of Japanese initiated the Junior Year Abroad Programs by selecting 15 students to Lize University to earn credits for one semester, and returned in January, 1994. This is the first abroad program of the all country, and also the first step towards internationalization of the school.
In 1994, the school passed another law related to abroad program, and in September, the Department of Spanish, German, and French consecutively selected students to study abroad for one year to earn credits. However, limited by the obligation of Military Service, draftees still cannot go abroad. Thus, the school has repeatedly negotiated with the Ministry of Education as well as the Department of Defense, and finally being approved in December 1994, as draftees are allowed to study abroad. In the same year, the Department of English and Russian also joined the Junior Year Abroad Programs. Until 2012, more than two thousand and six hundred students have studied abroad from the College of Foreign Languages.
Each department starts the junior year study abroad preparation before the end of the first semester. Study abroad approaches are announced to students after discussed and revised by the Department Faculty Meeting. In the second semester, the study abroad program starts workshop to introduce the sister schools’ environment, abroad life. In addition, the counseling and guidance groups provide test tools which allow students to think and self-assess their adaptability, to help them understand the personal strengths, and to learn to improve their weaknesses.
After the study abroad list have been finalized, each department will hold 2 - 3 times seminars, focusing on tuition expenses, credit transfer, necessities before going abroad, school registration, insurance…etc. The former students from junior study abroad programs will be invited to share their experiences of overseas and answer related questions.
Through the section of junior year abroad programs from the web pages of College of Foreign Language, students can understand the junior year abroad program, junior year abroad plans, sister school Introductions, and the questionnaires about the results and experiences related to their current and after returning home situations. Office of International Exchanges & International Education also compiles the brochure annually which covers the local clothing, shelter, transportation, bank account opening of sister schools as well as emergency contact information.
Before the flag presentation ceremony of the junior year abroad program, College of Foreign Languages arranges a one hour fire fighting workshop. Inviting the fire fighters from Tamsui District, New Taipei City, to lecture the fire prevention and escape essentials, in order to enhance students' understanding of safety knowledge and response capabilities.
Immersing into its domestic life and campus environment is the best way to acquire a foreign language and culture. We hope, by the former junior year studying abroad students’ valuable experiences, to motivate those current juniors in school to be more involved in this long historical and distinctive activity, and to add a beautiful record of their journey of language learning.
