東海大學 工業工程與經營資訊學系

Hi, I am Jeffrey Santoso from Jakarta, Indonesia.

I came to Taiwan to study after graduating from elementary school. At first, I really couldn't speak much, only knowing the phrases "我愛你" and "冷氣". After going through the training of junior high and senior high, I eventually got into university through the admissions exam.

I have a very special affinity with Tunghai University. During our junior high graduation trip, we actually visited here. The Department of Industrial Engineering and Enterprise  Information was recommended to me by a teacher I'm very close with. He said based on my personality and habits, he believes I will definitely achieve good results and performance in this department.

In this department, we can be exposed to knowledge from different perspectives and fields. Tunghai University also encourages us to take courses from other departments, which aligns with the unique style of this department - integrating the knowledge and expertise learned from the outside world to become your own strengths. This department provides just such a platform and opportunity.

I'm very glad to have the affinity to meet the professors and senior students here at Tunghai, which further solidified my belief that "choosing is more important than effort."

Coming to Taiwan from a non-native Chinese-speaking country with limited knowledge in Chinese scared me. The thought of navigating daily life, let alone academic requirements, in a completely unfamiliar language was daunting. However, starting my studies at Tunghai University turned this fear into an empowering journey, thanks to the incredible support from the teachers, the department office, and the environment there.

Aware of the language challenges I would face, I took the initiative to email the professors about our language difficulties. The professors immediately understood my situation as an international student. Their response was overwhelmingly supportive. Without hesitation, they expressed their willingness to assist me in learning. Moreover, some professors offer extra classes outside of the regular schedule to make sure that my academic progress was not interrupted by our language barriers.  

This gesture by the professors was heartwarming. It showed their dedication to our success and their understanding of the challenges faced by the foreigners. By providing these extra classes, they were eliminating the worry about my Chinese proficiency. This support made Tunghai University feel like a second home, where the focus was on learning and growth rather than the limitations of my language skills.

The lessons provided by the professors were not static or outdated, they were based on current trends happening in the world. For example, they always come to the discussions and studies on AI development, a topic that is highly relevant to my department and the global technological landscape. This approach not only helped me stay updated with my studies but also relevant to the real world. It allowed me to understand the implications of my field of study in today's context, making my learning experience more meaningful.

Studying in Taiwan, especially at Tunghai University, has been a great choice for me as an international student. This is attributed to the remarkable compassion and comprehension shown by the faculty. They always go the extra mile to help me overcome the challenges of studying a new language and culture. They make sure the lessons are interesting and up-to-date, and they're always there to offer extra support whenever I need it. This kind of care and attention has made it much easier for me to feel comfortable and succeed in my studies. My experience here shows how supportive and welcoming Taiwan is for students from other countries, making it an excellent place for getting a good education in a friendly environment.
 

These two years have passed so fast, I remember when I was considering whether to continue my studies to the master's degree or not. At that time, I was filled with worry about the uncertainty of the future. After listening to some opinions from professors, parents, and seniors, I decided to continue my studies to get my master's degree. When I have gone through all this, I feel very grateful and blessed, because I did not make the wrong decision to continue my studies.

I want to say a big thank you to my advisors, they are very easily contacted and very welcome for discussions about anything, there is no gap between the professors and their students. Whenever there are problems in this research process, they are ready for discussions, patiently giving us advice and direction from the wisdom and knowledge they have. Their insights are not only about academic knowledge but they also often share their experiences in the work-life. They always emphasize academic knowledge at master's degrees are important, but there are more important than that, which is how to prepare us in the working world, how we make decisions, how we have structured thinking, how we value deadlines