For the first time, CGU ╳ Go International invited the Bureau Français de Taipei and the Campus France to Chang Gung University for a panel discussion.

Office of International Affairs

Organized by the Office of International Affairs, the second session of the "Go International" Intercultural Communication Panel Discussion in 2022 took place on the afternoon of May 6 (Friday).  The theme was International Education and Cooperation – France. This event gathered more than 60 faculty members, staff, and students who were interested in higher education in France at the First Conference Hall of the Second Medical Science Building of the university. The event invited Wan-Yun Lu, the education commissioner of the Campus France, and Jerome Bove and Antoinette Neyra, commissioners of science and higher education of the Bureau Français de Taipei, to present higher education in France and services provided to students wishing to study in France. The event also invited Dr. Chun-Hung Yeh from the Institute for Radiological Research of the university to serve as the host. Dr. Yeh shared his experience of studying abroad and held a discussion with the French representatives. Dr. Yeh obtained his second doctoral degree in France. The entire panel discussion was conducted in English, and the students were eager to ask questions.

The Campus France offers lots of information regarding courses, promotes French higher education and culture, hosts the European Education Fair every year, and offers free consulting services. Commissioner Lu shared the reasons why students choose France: the tuition fee is reasonable and the French government also offers many scholarship schemes. France is a country with abundant academic resources, and students who have obtained a degree there can extend their residency for one year, giving students the opportunity to intern and work in French enterprises.

The difference between higher education in France and Taiwan is that French professors encourage students to ask questions and exchange discussions with each other, as well as to improve the ability to think through group discussion. If students are not too sure whether they are suitable for higher education in France, Jerome Bove from the Bureau Français de Taipei recommended finding a suitable course through a short-term exchange or choosing a language school to experience the French culture and language.

As for the students who may feel lonely in a foreign country, Dr. Yeh shared his experience. He said that he could not speak French at that time, and he could only communicate with his advisor in English; thus, he enrolled in French courses to improve his daily language skills. Antoinette Neyra from the Bureau Français de Taipei also encouraged everyone to make new friends in France or join Taiwanese student groups in France to participate in activities and assimilate into a new life in France.

Go International holds panel discussions on the topics of foreign cultures and education every month. If you would like to know more about foreign cultures, please sign up! New events will be announced on the website of the Office of International Affairs.

Education Commissioner Wan-Yun Lu

(From left) Dr. Chun-Hung Yeh, Education Commissioner Wan-Yun Lu, Project Executive Officer Antoinette Neyra, and Commissioner Jerome Bove