Through the generosity of the Taiwan Ministry of Education and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston (TECO), the Department of Asian Studies at Williams College has been awarded a scholarship for one Williams student to study Mandarin language in Taiwan during 2016-2017. As explained in a letter received from TECO, “this scholarship is being awarded to your esteemed college in the hopes of fostering a strong friendship between Williams College and Taiwan and furthering our mutual academic goals of cross-cultural understanding and exchange.”
The scholarship allows Williams students to study Mandarin language in Taiwan at a university-affiliated language training center of the student’s choice for a period of three, six, nine months or one full year beginning from September 1, 2016, ending by August 31, 2017. The scholarship consists of NT 25,000 per month (approximately US $850 at the current exchange rate), out of which the student will pay tuition and living expenses. With careful budgeting, the scholarship amount should be sufficient to cover about ten hours a week of tuition as well as moderate housing and meal costs, but applicants should note that air fare and miscellaneous expenses are not included.
Basic eligibility requirements for students interested in applying for the scholarship are:
- Must not be a citizen of Taiwan
- Must currently be a student at Williams College at the time of application (any year, including graduating seniors)
- Must have taken (or currently be taking) one or more Chinese language courses at Williams College
While any student who meets the above basic requirements is eligible to apply, priority will be given to those seniors who are Chinese or Asian Studies majors or who have taken Chinese language through the 400 level. In the case of rising juniors who wish to go to Taiwan for junior year abroad, it is important to coordinate with the Dean’s office concerning accredited schools in Taiwan and the minimum number of class hours weekly that is required in order for Williams College credit to be granted.
To apply for the scholarship, please prepare and print out a one-page statement in English and place in Professor Li Yu’s mailbox in the Hollander Hall Faculty Mailroom by 4 p.m., Monday, February 22, 2016 (please print out the completed application and put it in Professor Yu’s faculty mailbox in Hollander Hall; do not send via e-mail). In the statement, discuss your reasons for applying and how going to Taiwan to study Mandarin relates to your future study and career plans; also indicate how long you wish to study in Taiwan (3, 6, 9, or 12 months with starting and ending months). Provide the names of two faculty members who have agreed to write recommendations for you if you are selected (Please ask the faculty members ahead of time. If you are selected, they will need to provide letters to you in a sealed envelop to be forwarded to TECO office with short notice). If you are also applying for the Williams in China (Hong Kong) Teaching Fellowship, please indicate your preference. The faculty members in the Chinese Program expect to identify a top candidate before March 1st. At that time, the candidate selected will fill out a formal application, which must be forwarded to TECO by the end of March. Students who have questions about the scholarship should contact Professor Cecilia Chang via e-mail at cchang@williams.edu.
In addition to the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship, Taiwan Ministry of Education also offers scholarships for students to seek degree programs in Taiwan. Interested students please contact Prof. Chang for detail.