Taiwan: Past and Present

In this hybrid study abroad program, students will spend the first week of summer quarter at UW Tacoma and travel to Taiwan afterwards for three weeks. The program will be mainly headquartered in Taipei, the capital city on the northern coast of the island, with travel to other sites including Tainan, the Qing Dynasty capital on the island’s southwest.  

Following the three week in-country portion of the program, students will continue to engage in study abroad related coursework and will be required to participate in a schedule of activities that will incorporate material from all three of the program courses. These activities will include guided online discussion sessions and writing assignments. Additionally, students are expected to reflect on their study abroad experience by writing a “Letter to a Future Participant”. This will be an opportunity for students to reflect on what they have learned from the program and provide advice for future study abroad participants. 

Taiwan has long been integrated into the historical experience of East Asia and mainland China. It was formally included during the 17th century during China’s Qing Dynasty and was incorporated as a Chinese province in 1885. During this time it saw a constant exchange of people, goods and ideas. In 1895, China was forced to cede Taiwan to Japan and Taiwan remained as a Japanese colony until 1945. As a result, Taiwan today carries an imprint of both Chinese and Japanese culture. After WWII and independence, Taiwan became embroiled in the drama of China’s civil war between the Communists and the Nationalists. Facing defeat on the mainland, Chiang Kaishek and Nationalist forces retreated to Taiwan, and his government, the Republic of China, continued to claim the legitimacy to rule China. Today Taiwan’s status as an independent nation is contested, and many in Taiwan are working to assert their national independence. Thus, Taiwan provides a historical, cultural and philosophical microcosm of the greater Chinese and East Asian experience.

This study abroad program is taught by Dr. Mary Hanneman, Professor Lily Li, and Dr. Yi Li from UW Tacoma and Tacoma Community College.

Academic Content

This program does not have any prerequisites or language requirements. Students receive a total of fifteen credits for the program as follows:

THIST 251 Global History in the 20th Century (5 credits)

Surveys the interactive political, economic, cultural, and social developments that shaped the 20th-century world to the present, the Asian experience in the 20th century and the backdrop of Taiwan as an entry point. 

Learning Goals Include:

Understand the historical and continuing impact of main issues in the global experience of the 20th century, including

• Imperialism and colonialism
• Communism and its opponents
• Nationalism, ultra-nationalism and Fascism
• Race, racism and their impact on international relations and politics
• Cold War politics and international relations
• Asia's role in the impact on the global 20th century

TPHIL 351 Chinese Philosophy and Religion (5 credits)

This course introduces to students the major intellectual currents in Chinese philosophy, focusing on Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.

Learning Goals Include:

• Identify and explain the unique paradigms and assumptions that help shape the Taiwanese and Chinese worldview.
• Identify and explain changes in Taiwanese and Chinese worldview over time
• Evaluate these changes in the contemporary period.
• ​Explain Taiwanese and Chinese traditional and modern culture to a greater audience.

TIAS 480 Experiencing China (5 credits)

This course will introduce students to Chinese/Taiwanese culture and our host cities. Topics will include Chinese language (Mandarin), art, calligraphy, and martial arts, among others. These topics will be explored through a combination of field trips, lectures, discussion, and written assignments. 

Learning Goals Include:

• Develop a theoretical understanding through the direct experience of Chinese society, culture, history, and philosophy
• ​Develop intercultural knowledge and understanding.
• Develop reflective skills based on their reflections on globalization, experiences in a foreign country, inter-cultural interactions, discussions and presentations with their peers and instructors, both Chinese and American.

Program Schedule

The program runs from June 16-August 16, 2024. Students will spend June 23 to July 14 in Taiwan and will be required to participate in online instructional activities after returning from abroad. 

Housing

Students will be staying in hotels. Rooms are double occupancy; single rooms may be requested in advance (depending on availability; additional fees apply). Rooms include bathroom with western-style toilet and are equipped with a telephone, television, air conditioning, bed linens and towels.

Student Eligibility

Undergraduates in "good academic standing" (2.0 or above), from any UW campus may apply. The program best suits undergraduate students with or without previous experience related to China or Taiwan. Students in History, Philosophy, Economics, Business and other programs will find this study abroad program attractive. The credits can be applied toward the UWT/ IAS Asian Studies minor. We also welcome applications from non-matriculated students. Students who have not yet earned a high school diploma or equivalent are not eligible for our study abroad programs.

Application Deadline (extended!)

Applications are due on March 31, 2024. This is the final deadline extension. Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions two weeks after the deadline. Once accepted to the program, applicants will need to confirm their participation in the program two weeks after acceptance. 

Travel Documents and Insurance 

All program participants must have a valid passport in order to travel to Taiwan.

Visas

There is no visa requirement for U.S. citizens to travel to Taiwan. 

If you are a citizen of another country, you can research visa requirements by calling the consular offices of countries you plan to visit by going to the following website: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html. 

The cost and requirements for obtaining visas vary. It is your responsibility to determine visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad including countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. This is an especially important consideration if you are planning to do more than one study abroad program.

Insurance 

The University of Washington requires students engaged in educational activities abroad – including study, research, internships or community engagement – to purchase UW Student Abroad Insurance. If you are a current UW student, you are required to purchase coverage UW Student Abroad Insurance. Details are on the UW Study Abroad Insurance page.

Program Cost

The program fee is $4,880. 

Included in the cost of the program:

• $470 Administrative Fee
• Instruction (15 credits)
• Housing and some meals while students are abroad
• Program activities and program travel
• Airport pick-up and drop-off in Taiwan

Not Included:

• Airfare
• Meals (except as listed above)
• UW Student Abroad Insurance
• Transportation to and from the airport in the U.S.
• Personal expenses (phone calls, eating out, etc.)
• Textbooks
• Visa cost

Payment Due Date: July 5, 2024

Program fees will be posted to your MyUW student account and can be paid the same way that you pay tuition and other fees. Check your MyUW Account periodically for due dates.

Withdrawals

The $470 UW Study Abroad Administrative Fees are non-refundable once a contract has been submitted. Students withdrawing from a program are responsible for paying a percentage of the program fee depending on the date of withdrawal. More details about the withdrawal policy are included in your payment contract. No part of the program fee is refundable once the program has begun (please refer to Emergency Withdrawal information below, if applicable). The date of withdrawal is considered the business day a withdrawal form is received by the Office of Global Affairs. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing by completing the following steps:

Please email uwtintl@uw.edu and copy your program director(s) providing notice that you will no longer be participating in the program. You will also need to respond to any further communication from the Office of Global Affairs to finalize your withdrawal.

If a program is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, student will not be charged either the UW Study Abroad Administrative Fee or the UW Tacoma Study Abroad Program Fee.

Emergency Withdrawal 

If you cannot participate in a study abroad program, you may submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition. If granted, the Emergency Withdrawal may allow for partial relief from your financial obligations to the program.

An Emergency Withdrawal Petition may be submitted in the following circumstances:

• Unanticipated change in financial situation
• Medical emergency
• Death in immediate family
• Active military duty
• Unusual or extenuating circumstances

To submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition, complete this form and email it to uwtintl@uw.edu. 

Financial Aid and Scholarships

• A large percentage of UW students utilize financial aid to study abroad. Most types of financial aid can be applied to study abroad fees.
• For UW Tacoma students, you can submit a revision request to increase the amount of aid for the quarter you are studying abroad. These additional funds are usually awarded in the form of loans. To apply, fill out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the UW Tacoma Office of Financial Aid.
• For UW Seattle or Bothell Students, you can apply by filling out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the Office of Financial Aid.
• Consult the Financial Aid section on the UW Study Abroad website for more information on applying for financial aid, special considerations for summer and early fall programs, and budgeting and fundraising tips
• Please also review this list of scholarships: these are opportunities that can help fund your study abroad experience. Please note that many of them have deadlines before your study abroad application is due. For help with the application process, please contact uwtintl@uw.edu.

Budgeting Tools

We understand that figuring out your finances for study abroad can be complicated, and we are here to help. Here are some ways to find additional support:

• Click on the Budget Sheets link at the top of this brochure to view the estimated budget of all expenses for this program.
• UW Tacoma students can attend a How to Fund Your Study Abroad event - more information is on the Events page of our website.

Changes in Cost or Scope of Program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary. If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

Orientation

To be eligible to study abroad, all program participants must attend an online pre-departure orientation facilitated by UW Study Abroad as well as your program-specific orientations, offered by your program directors. Orientation must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline for the quarter that you are studying abroad.

Program Cancellation

If viable enrollment is not reached by April 15, 2024, the program will be cancelled. Participants will be notified and the administrative and program fees will be refunded.

Disability Accommodation