Young adults from Southeast Asia began a six-month study program last year at Taipei Medical University. The program has offered a chance to learn from doctors and professors at the school. The participants also got to experience life in Taiwan and learn Mandarin Chinese. FTV reporter Stephany Yang met some program participants to hear about their experience.

In a study abroad program hosted by Taipei Medical University and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participants have toured the Dadaocheng, Kenting, Alishan, Taipei 101, Jiufen, and Pingxi. They’ve enjoyed Taiwanese opera and even learned how to make pineapple cakes. One participant, Chris Indradmojo, hails from Indonesia. His background is in emergency medicine.

Chris Indradmojo
Program participant
I aim to broaden my connections and enhance my knowledge and skill in the medical emergency and for my institution and my country. I aspire to bring insight into medical education and health systems in developed and modern countries like Taiwan.

Another participant is Mi Mi Aung, a dentist from Myanmar.

Mi Mi Aung
Program participant
I was working as a general dentist in our country at a private clinic for about four years. I applied this program because I tihnk this program is not only related to medical health subjects, not only enhance my background knowledge in dental health but also other fields like public health,nursing nutrition. I think it is very holistic.

Rosemary Cerdan Tan is from the Philippines. She previously worked at the Department of Health in the Philippines. After this program, she plans to get her master’s at TMU.

Rosemary Cerdan Tan
Program participant
I was working in the Department of Health in the Philippines at the ICT office. It is the IT office of the Department of Health. I decided to join the program to gain more exposure and be immersed in the ICT practices in healthcare here in Taiwan because Taiwan is known for maximizing the use of ICT in health as well as the very comprehensive health care insurance in your country. It is really fascinating to see how you use modern healthcare technologies in the facilities because we visited several hospitals here in Taiwan. Mainly Taipei Medical University Hospital and also the other hospitals affiliated with TMU.

In August 2023, 15 professionals from Southeast Asian countries joined TMU’s study abroad program. Applicants with a background in health care, biological sciences, laboratory work, and data analysis were selected. During the six-month program, they’ve taken part in eight hours of medical-related courses and six hours of Mandarin courses a week. They’ve also visited scenic attractions, taken cooking courses, and participated in other cultural experience activities.

Rosemary Cerdan Tan
Program participant
So far, apart from the lectures and healthcare topics that we had, we had several cultural expeirnce actiivties. We went from Taroko National Park to Alishan. Even to Pintung, the southernmost part of Taiwan. But I guess the most memorable that I would have would be just the simple daily YouBike trips to the campus and going back to the dormiatiory. I really loved the transportation and also the use of YouBIke here in Taiwan.

Mi Mi Aung
Program participant
We visited Dadaocheng old street. We wore a traditional Chinese costume called qipao. We all dressed up and also did makeup. We walked around the old street and visited a tea house and some temples. I felt very happy at that time. Everyone on the street at that time was looking at us. It was quite memorable.

TMU’s study abroad program aims to support the Tsai administration’s New Southbound Policy, by deepening people-to-people exchanges in the health care sector.

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