【Article by College of Commerce】
Fueled by the students' unwavering aspirations, NCCU College of Commerce (NCCUC) Partner School Fair made a triumphant return on October 18 thanks to the enthusiastic participation of international students and the great support of the Office of International Programs (OIP). Exchange students from 25 different countries representing 59 business schools overseas gathered beneath a vibrant display of national flags in the Commerce building. They are in the mission to introduce their respective universities and culture to local students who are interested or ready to go on exchange programs. The Fair offered detailed information of partner schools through brochures and fostered connections between local students and representatives.

The opportunity to study abroad is definitely one of the precious benefits available to NCCUC students. With the epidemic slowdown, NCCUC is proud to offer over 400 quotas for qualified students this year. The partnerships with 142 celebrated business schools spanning 42 different countries provide students with ultimate educational and networking opportunities. Notably, both numbers are increasing annually. Among the prestigious institutions in NCCUC network are the Erasmus University Rotterdam School of Management (Netherlands), Ramon Llull University ESADE Business School (Spain), University of Mannheim Business School (Germany), York University Schulich School of Business (Canada), Waseda University School of Commerce (Japan), National University of Singapore Business School (Singapore), Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management (China), and Peking University Guanghua School of Management (China), to name a few.

To travel while pursing studies is one of the most important experiences for exchange students, especially when based in Europe, given its geographic advantage. Nestled in the heart of Europe, where it's surrounded by many economically influential countries, Switzerland is renowned for the beauty of landscape just as Taiwan does. 'But don't just do what other travelers do,' Dominik Wiedermann from University of St. Gallen advised, 'You have way more time for the lakes, which are also a very big part of Swiss culture, beautiful libraries in St. Gallen and even company visits to United Nations Office at Geneva.'

When it comes to language barrier, Roshni Bhattacharya representing the Indian Institution of management Bangalore (IIMB) mentioned, 'Classes are conducted only in English, language is never a concern and courses will not be as tough as you think.' In addition to academic insights, Roshni wholeheartedly encouraged local students to explore the city and culture while indulging in the traditional Indian cuisine like the 'chole bhature' (鷹嘴豆咖哩及炸印度麵包), which is her favorite. Located in Bangalore, known as the Silicon Valley of India, IIMB has strong connections with numerous technology and consulting corporations, offering students valuable industry exposure. Furthermore, students need not worry about the practical aspects of living, 'You don't have to worry about figuring about where to live, what to eat and the medical facilities on campus are provided free of charge.'

All booths were well equipped with flyers and brochures. Some representatives even set up laptops showing videos or photos to provide local students with a clear picture of the respective universities. 'Although our school is in Japan, Japanese students comprise only 30% of the student body.' Hiroshi Norimatsu from International University of Japan (IUJ) believes that the demographic diversity adds a unique richness to the campus environment. Moreover, Hiroshi highlighted that economic courses in Taiwan and China primarily focus on the Chinese development, but IUJ stands out by providing selected courses on Japanese development after the war.
Speaking of living expenses, Sweden is known to be quite expensive even for being in Europe. However, Emma from Stockholm school of economics recommended the 'Study in Sweden' website, which breaks down costs for international students. 'If you are looking for experiencing European culture, Sweden is a great place to start.' She mentioned, 'It is cozy and there is always something to do where people are very friendly and welcoming.'

On the other hand, Anni Lin (林侒霓), a junior from Department of International Business shared that she is interested in going on an exchange program to Netherlands or Germany. Anni has dedicated a year and a half to learning Germany in NCCU and she couldn't wait to put her language skills to practical use. However, after a brief introduction about school life at Erasmus University Rotterdam, she discovered that it rains a lot in Rotterdam. It made her a little hesitate since she was planning to enjoy the sunny days and beautiful beach in Europe to the fullest. Nonetheless, it is no doubt that she will find the perfect fit among the diverse and precious choices available.

This invaluable opportunity interacting with exchange students in person enabled College of Commerce students to get a clearer perspective of their prospective universities. Through the partner school fair, their concerns and doubts about studying abroad disappeared. The Office of International Programs strongly encourages students to make the most out of the resources available at NCCUC. By actively engaging with these resources, students can enrich their lives to be well-prepared with strengthened competitiveness to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.