大三出國、全英語課程 - 國際視野 : 淡江大學大三出國通報及學分採認系統

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2023大三出國輔導通報系統 - 留學心得報告[編輯]

資工 410850183 　岑浩昀　　留學學校：維諾納州立大學

(一)基本資料

The school I attended for my exchange program was Winona State University in Minnesota, USA. There, I took courses related to computer engineering, as well as some unique courses that could only be experienced locally.(35字)

(二)課程學習

【照片說明：Take the cable car to the mountain top.】

My favorite class was Downhill Skiing, a skiing course that is not available in Taiwan. In Taiwan, the most you can experience is indoor skiing facilities, which are small and limited, with very few places open for skiing. Universities in Taiwan definitely don’t offer skiing courses. So when I saw this class available, I signed up immediately. I chose alpine skiing (two-plank skiing). Initially, I wanted to take both alpine and snowboarding, but the snowboarding course was suspended that semester because the ski resort wasn’t open for it. Whether you get to take this class also depends a bit on luck. The course divides students into levels, so even as a complete beginner with no skiing experience, I learned how to ski from the top of the mountain to the bottom with the coach’s step-by-step guidance. The course was held at a ski resort about a 40-minute drive from the university. There was no school shuttle, so you had to either drive there yourself or get a ride from a friend. On the first day of class, you could ask the coach to help you find someone who could give you a ride. We drove there ourselves, and driving in snowy weather required extra caution. For this class, you needed to buy some skiing gear like snow pants and a jacket. However, you could rent skis and other equipment at the ski resort, so you didn’t have to purchase them. This course gave me the feeling of mastering a very cool skill. I experienced the thrill of rushing down the slopes, enjoyed the breathtaking snowy mountain scenery, and felt a stark contrast to Taiwan’s lush greenery. This course was my favorite and one I highly recommend.(291字)

(三)生活環境

【照片說明：Overlooking Winona State University from the hillside.】

Winona is a small town and much safer compared to other major cities in the United States. Most of the residents are either students or retirees. The campus isn’t very large, but it still takes 20 to 30 minutes to walk from one end to the other. The university is beautiful, with most of the buildings being modest in height and surrounded by well-maintained lawns. During my stay, I lived off-campus in a house that my classmates and I found together. It was a two-story house, and we lived on the second floor. The first floor was also rented by students from Winona State University. The three of us shared the space, which had five rooms in total, making it very spacious. There was a living room, dining room, and kitchen. I found the kitchen particularly important because there weren’t many dining options nearby, and most places required driving to reach. We often bought groceries from large chain stores like Costco or Walmart and cooked for ourselves. Winona does not have a convenient public transportation system, so I strongly recommend getting a car. Driving is essential to get around. If you don’t have a car, you might need to make friends with local Americans, who are generally very kind and willing to help. Winters there are extremely cold, with temperatures sometimes dropping to -30°C. It’s crucial to have enough warm clothing. Jackets from Taiwan might not be warm enough, so you may need to purchase heavy down jackets from local outlets. I suggest bringing thermal wear and thick socks as well. While winters are freezing, summer days can be very hot, so don’t forget to pack some short-sleeve shirts and shorts as well. In Winona, you can experience the lifestyle of a small American town. The scenery is stunning, with the Mississippi River and two lakes nearby. Life there is peaceful and relaxing. If you want to shop in a larger city, the nearest one is only a 40-minute drive away, making Winona a fantastic choice overall.(341字)

(四)自我成長

【照片說明：A banquet hosted by Winona alumni for international students.】

When you arrive there, you’ll notice that unlike Taiwan, there aren’t many convenience stores, and most shops close before 11 PM. So, from the start, we had to learn how to cook meals, stir-fry dishes, and make breakfast ourselves. Fortunately, we adapted quickly because we already knew a little bit of cooking. Plus, since there were three of us, we divided responsibilities—those who couldn’t cook would handle other household chores. In class, even though professors spoke English faster than in Taiwan, it wasn’t too difficult to understand. Many professors and the department head in the Computer Science and Information Engineering Department could also speak Chinese. The department head was from China. Attending classes there required getting used to how often students asked questions during lectures. For them, it’s normal to ask directly if they don’t understand something, and professors are happy to help without worrying about disrupting the class schedule. This took some adjustment, but you need to be proactive about asking questions. There were many situations where we had to handle administrative tasks, such as preparing for the local driving test. It required a lot of research and preparation because what seemed normal to the locals was unfamiliar to us. So, it’s essential to do your homework thoroughly for everything. Finally, blending into the local culture is important. For example, they often host parties, and there are diverse extracurricular activities to join. Some local laws are different from those in Taiwan. For instance, when driving, you must come to a full stop at a stop sign before proceeding, and in some cases, you’re allowed to turn right at a red light. Pedestrians always have the right of way, and you must leave enough space for bicycles to ride safely. There are many things to be mindful of, and they take time to adjust to. When facing cultural differences, it’s important to stay open-minded and adapt to the local way of doing things. Over time, you’ll find yourself becoming more comfortable and accustomed to living there.(346字)

(五)大三出國建議

Studying abroad in your junior year will be one of the most special memories of your university life, and perhaps even your entire life. You’ll experience a completely different culture and environment. At times, you may feel lonely, but as you spend more time there, you’ll find yourself gradually integrating into the local community. Studying abroad is not just about academics—having fun is also a significant part of the learning experience. The knowledge you gain might be something you could also learn in Taiwan, but the way classes are conducted, as well as the dynamic between students and professors, is something you cannot experience in Taiwan. When you face cultural differences or encounter difficulties, it’s important to approach them with an open mind. These experiences will ultimately bring new perspectives and ways of handling situations that will benefit you in the future. While studying abroad, you can connect with a group of Taiwanese friends, but don’t forget to make friends with people from other countries as well. Chat with them, build friendships, and even after you leave, they can continue to bring new and exciting things into your life. This is also a great opportunity to practice your English conversation skills and become more comfortable talking to strangers, enabling you to communicate fluently with more people.(221字)

(六)其他

During this exchange program, we also took advantage of the winter break to go on a road trip. Starting from Winona, we drove to Chicago, Cleveland, and Buffalo to see Niagara Falls. We crossed the US-Canada border by car to visit Toronto, then continued driving to the East Coast, stopping in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., before driving all the way back to Minnesota. This journey allowed me to see so many new things and experience a wide variety of landscapes. I highly recommend going on a road trip like this if you study abroad in the United States—it’s an unforgettable experience.(107字)

補充照片

【照片說明：We drove on a road trip to New York.】

【照片說明：In the last few days in Winona, I saw the aurora borealis, which only appears once every few years.】

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資料更新時間：06月27日 01:03

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