November 12, 2024
An exchange program between Chicago and Taiwan helps students gain cultural and research experience
This summer, the first cohort of UChicago-Taiwan Student Exchange (UCTS) fellows completed an eight-week research program between the University of Chicago and several universities in Taiwan.
The UCTS Fellowship was organized by Cheng Chin, a professor of physics at the University of Chicago and a National Taiwan University alum. The fellowship aims to enhance research collaboration between the University of Chicago and several universities in Taiwan through visiting student exchanges. This year’s research areas focused on physics, astronomy, and quantum science.
Eight UChicago students were placed with advisors at National Taiwan University, where they worked on projects related to quantum information, high-energy physics, seismic modeling, microbiology, and more. Ten students from National Taiwan University, National Cheng Kung University, and National Tsing Hua University joined groups at UChicago, where they worked on projects related to high-energy and particle physics, cellular biology, materials science, and other topics.
The fellowship offers both cultural and academic opportunities. “The students had the entire summer to experience a different lifestyle and social culture,” said Chin. “They also developed their appetite for research by exploring the forefront of science.”
Chin elaborated on the specific skills students cultivate through the fellowship, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the experience. “They develop an attitude of research, including observation, data collecting and analysis, and methodology,” he said. “Most importantly, they gain the ability to learn and investigate independently.”
Next year’s research areas will focus on basic sciences, engineering, and biomedical research, with potential advisors at National Taiwan University, National Cheng Kung University, National Tsing Hua University, Academia Sinica, National Central University, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, and National Sun Yat-sen University. The application deadline is February 1, 2025.
Several students in the UCTS first cohort share photos and memorable moments below. Interviews have been edited and condensed. To learn more about the cohort’s time abroad, visit the fellowship’s 2024 Experience website.
For more information about the program, please visit https://uctsfellowship.uchicago.edu/.
Julie Pichonnat, Environmental Science major, Class of 2026, University of Chicago
What was the highlight of your experience?
Meeting the other program mates and connecting with peers at NTU, as well as my lab coworkers. Taiwanese people are not only incredibly generous and kind but incredibly witty, insightful, and introspective. Throughout the summer, the other students and I got to know so many interesting people through conversations about politics, life experiences, and the differences between the US and Taiwan. As a group, we traveled all around the island. We saw wetlands, islands, beaches, mountains, caves, clubs, night markets, and more. It was such a pleasure getting to know everyone while exploring the island (and we didn’t even see all of it!).
What advice do you have for future students interested in this exchange?
It’s not just for physics students! I study environmental science, and another UChicago student in the program, Ingrid Appen, studies environmental engineering. Although UCTS is advertised as a physics program, you can work with a PI from any department at NTU, so I encourage any student interested in doing international research or going to Taiwan to look at the list of available PIs. I hope to see social science and humanities students in the program’s future.
How will this exchange help your future career?
International research experience has opened so many doors for me going into my third year at the College, including my current role as a participant in the NASA DEVELOP program. This program was my first STEM research experience, and I developed so many new technical skills during the summer. This exchange has given me a great foundation to pursue a career in geospatial data, as well as a joint master’s degree in International Relations.
Bo-Yu Chen, Physics and Computer Science major, Class of 2027, National Taiwan University
Placement group: Assistant Professor Hannes Bernien, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Why did you want to participate in the UChicago-Taiwan exchange fellowship?
For the career aspect, I plan to study abroad for graduate school. The UCTS fellowship offered me a unique chance to know what grad school life in the US would be like and provided me with considerable financial support. Furthermore, I benefited greatly from Prof. Bernien’s and Prof. Chin’s supportive mentorship. They were always happy to share their career advice and experience as senior scientists in the field of atomic, molecular, and optical physics. I am grateful for their kind support, especially since this experience probably would have been inaccessible to me as a first-generation college student.
For the life aspect, I participated in the UCTS program to step out of my comfort zone. It was my first time exploring an unfamiliar continent far from Taiwan for an extended time.
What advice do you have for future students interested in this exchange?
As the only first-year student from Taiwan in the UCTS program, my advice is the 3Ps: Be prepared! Be proactive! Be passionate!
Duc Nguyen, Physics and Mathematics major, Class of 2026, University of Chicago
Why did you want to participate in the UChicago-Taiwan exchange fellowship?
Because I have close Taiwanese friends and love exploring new places (I have never visited Taiwan before). I tried to apply for a different program in astronomy last year in Taipei, but I had to change my plans at the last minute. While finding an advisor at NTU for the program, I had a chance to talk with Professor Cheng-Wei Chiang. He works in high-energy phenomenology, a subfield in physics that I’m passionate about. All these factors combined helped me decide to apply to the program. I had a great time in Taiwan doing physics, exploring the amazing nature that Taiwan has to offer, enjoying great food, and learning a little bit of Chinese.
What advice do you have for future students interested in this exchange?
The excellent train and bus system makes it easy to reach different parts of Taiwan. You should do an overnight or day trip during the weekends!
Vincent Chen, Physics major, Class of 2026, National Taiwan University
Placement group: Professor David DeMille, Physics
Why did you want to participate in the UChicago-Taiwan exchange fellowship?
I’m working in the field of AMO physics, which stands for “atoms, molecules, and optics.” UChicago has wonderful AMO labs, and Professor DeMille is a renowned physicist in the field.
What was your most important takeaway from this experience?
Realizing that it’s absolutely possible to enjoy life while doing a PhD in a highly productive lab. I used to think that in a PhD program, everyone devoted their entire 6–7 years of effort to the project. It turns out that one can enjoy other aspects of life while doing it.
Jay Shen, Physics and Computer Science major, Class of 2026, University of Chicago
Why did you want to participate in the UChicago-Taiwan exchange fellowship?
For most of my time at UChicago, I had accepted that I couldn’t study abroad. The physics major is incredibly rigid, and even a single quarter off can throw you off the intended track by a year or more. There was the option of summers, but I think the prevailing attitude is that summers are the time to advance your career through internships or research. The great thing about the Taiwan exchange was that it combined both aspects, which would normally be restrictive—I got to study abroad while also developing my career path. Taiwan is a hub for technology and research and occupies an incredibly unique position in terms of geopolitics and global affairs. I was intrigued by this and wondered how it could all connect to my Chinese heritage.
What was your most important takeaway from this experience?
The unique position we are in as Americans. Our country is arguably the most powerful in the world, and so we take much for granted. The Taiwanese I got to know were eager to discuss those things we forget, and through them, I felt my position in the world was clarified.
