1/14/21

教育部臺灣獎學金生藍安柏的留台經驗

 





My Experience Studying Abroad in Taiwan

 

-by Amber Lauren Langston, 2018 Taiwan Scholarship Recipient

I came to Taiwan in 2018 in pursuit of a career shift. Prior to coming to Taiwan, I had worked as a teacher for special needs, disadvantaged children, and those who faced behavioral issues for nearly six years in the United States. While I enjoyed my job, the overbearing lack of support from parents, administrators, and outside factors, I decided it was no longer a career I could enjoy.

Since my degree was in English and linguistics, I debated for a while what I could do next, finally deciding that I would become a content and copywriter in marketing and do so by continuing my education with a master’s degree.

Tuition in the United States was unaffordable. I had no means to pay back hefty loans and wanted to continue to be debt-free, so I chose to go overseas which surprisingly, was much cheaper.  

I applied for the 2018 MOE Taiwan Scholarship and then my life journey rapidly changed.

I decided to attend National Chiao Tung University’s Global MBA program due to its recognition in the country and globally. The program was successful for me mainly because of the professors that I had. Prior to my MBA, I had no business background at all, but with the support of my professors, I was able to self-study and receive their support so that I could quickly build my knowledge within a short two-year period.

Alongside that, I met wonderful people when interviewing for my thesis. Local and foreign involved in key moments of Taiwanese history all the way to film makers in indigenous communities. Outside of that, I have also met other foreigners building a community of home for our own cultures. Some of these events are Black Lives Matter, African Heritage events, and overall women empowerment for those in startups and other entrepreneurial activities.

Right after college, I met my goal and more and was hired as the brand strategist and content writer for education in the global product marketing department at my current company. Because of a supportive, global team, my career and social development opportunities have grown as well. From the opportunity to working on large global campaigns, all the way to mentoring other foreign students here in Taiwan, I have finally reached a place where I feel happy and appreciated in my career.


I plan to stay long term here in Taiwan and continue to learn Chinese and work more closely with local communities and initiatives I personally enjoy. However, without the support of my family, and the faculty at my school, and the people at the MOE offices, this change in my life would not have been possible.