Auburn University Study Abroad -- Taiwan Program 2024

I. INTRODUCTION

The world is getting smaller with the growing information, communication, and transportation technologies. Cultures have become closer and more interactive. Understanding other cultures has become a must in life. As we live through this transition of the global setting, providing our students an opportunity to learn about the lifestyle and thought processes of people from other lands would more adequately prepare them for their future careers. It is even more critical for design students since design has become more and more cross-cultural.

Exposure to new cultures, experiences, and communication challenges can be accomplished by providing opportunities for students to travel and live in other countries and learning design with students of that country.

II. PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM

Since students will spend time in the host school and deal with people daily in and outside the classroom, interaction will happen naturally. The ability to communicate is essential for design students.  The exchange program will provide an environment for students to communicate with other students within their discipline and people from different cultures.

The program also provides a learning environment for students to understand design from a different perspective.

Because of the interactions between the visiting and host school students, both schools will benefit from the program. Besides cultural exchange, students would constructively stimulate one another. Positive competition between schools would help students be more serious about their profession.

III. CONTENTS OF THE PROGRAM

The program is joint with Shu-Te University's Department of Product Design and will last eight weeks. Classes are conducted at Shu-Te's campus. Shu-Te University will provide around 30 Taiwanese students to work with our group on design projects. Each Auburn student will be assigned to a group of five to six Taiwanese students so that students can learn from one another.

Besides the design studio, students must take four craft classes: glass, pottery, metal craft (jewelry), and Chinese painting.

Outside class activities may include a design workshop with other universities and visits to universities, design firms, and industries.