Money, Jobs and the Future: The Alternative to Studying Abroad I Found in Taiwan

1. My story: from dreaming of going abroad to choosing to stay in Taiwan

Hi, I'm Yvonne! I graduated from the Department of Public Administration and Policy at National Taipei University. Out of curiosity, I joined all kinds of activities in college to explore what I could do. In my junior year I joined the Ministry of Education's study group on social enterprises and international organizations and visited Germany, where I fell in love with the environment of asking questions freely. That planted the idea of studying abroad.

The idea of studying abroad lingered in my mind for a long time, but I couldn't figure out which field and direction I wanted most. So I chose to build work experience first, working and exploring at the same time, as a government civil servant and then as a technical consultant on government tenders at Far EasTone Telecommunications. Only after settling on my career direction did I properly start preparing for the TOEFL and my application documents.

2. Preparing my applications

At my age, my classmates were already moving into more senior roles. Looking at my current career and at fulfilling my dream, I wanted to draw a second growth curve in my life. Because I didn't use a study-abroad agency, it was actually easier for me to look honestly at which programs suited me, and I decided to apply for an MBA. In the end, I chose to stay in Taiwan and study in the Global MBA at NYCU (交大). Here are some of my considerations and takeaways:

• Money: tuition and living costs

  After graduation, an MBA is judged more by ranking, and tuition and living expenses are a huge investment, putting enormous pressure on both my parents and me. If I repaid loans on my own, I couldn't be sure when I'd pay them off, and the scholarships available for a master's aren't enough to cover costs of several million. Staying in Taiwan, applying to an English-taught MBA program and using the school's dual-degree system was the most economical choice.

• Job prospects: Taiwan vs. overseas

  If you do an MBA overseas, you not only have to build as many connections as possible during your studies and find the right way in, you're also heavily affected by local rules on hiring foreigners. If you can't find a job there, paying off your student loans becomes a huge burden. And figuring things out alone overseas does make you grow a lot, but you also have to consider how well you'll adapt to life and work there. Studying in Taiwan lets you build your network first, so even if you later study abroad and come back to Taiwan to work, you get double the synergy.

• Application process: simple vs. tedious

  Applying abroad, getting into a good enough school demands a very high level of English. There are also lots of application documents to think through, and after you're admitted you have to arrange your life there; it's a whole chain of steps. In Taiwan, applying to an English-taught MBA is much simpler, and since you're close by, it's easier to find out what a professor's style is really like by booking office hours or asking senior students.

• Personal growth: perspective and challenges

  Of course, studying abroad brings an immediate multicultural experience and a broader perspective, but I found I could grow just as well staying in Taiwan. For example, attending international conferences, discussing ideas with foreign professors and teaming up with international classmates for global competitions. The department also offers courses co-taught with industry, there's a lot of flexibility in choosing courses if you want to focus on different fields, and the cost of trial and error is relatively low. These experiences showed me that an international, practice-oriented education is possible in Taiwan too. And going abroad for a second master's after two years here makes adjusting safer than going right away.

3. For younger students thinking about studying abroad: some advice

• Know your goals: Studying abroad isn't the only path to success; what suits you is best. Ask yourself why you want to go to grad school, and the answer will help you find your direction.

• Financial reality vs. dreams: If money is tight, consider scholarships or student loans. But if the burden is still too heavy, finishing grad school in Taiwan and then going abroad through your school's dual-degree program could be a good option.

4. Conclusion: Work first, then grad school, for clearer choices and deeper learning

• The workplace is like a mirror that honestly reflects our interests, abilities and needs. Through work experience, I could take part in how a professional field actually operates and explore what I'm truly passionate about, instead of deciding based only on impressions or imagination from the classroom. For example, I might discover at work that I'm especially interested in data analysis, or realize that my project management skills need work. The insights from these experiences meant that when I chose a grad program, it wasn't a blind attempt; I had clear goals and reasons.

• This "try before you choose" process kept me from wasting time in uncertainty and brought my decision closer to my future career plans. When I entered grad school with work experience, I understood what I learned in class much more deeply. With a practical background, I could check theory against real cases from work, so learning didn't stay at the surface of the textbook. For example, if I had dealt with conflicting client needs at work, then when I studied the related theory in grad school, I could immediately connect it to that past experience and think about better solutions.