Apart from the advantage of having a full scholarship, Caribbean students studying in Taiwan says it’s been quite interesting to experience a new culture.

Jeana Noels who was born in a small community on the tropical Islands of St.Vincent and the Grenadines expresses that the major obstacle for her is the language.

“It was even more difficult when I had just came and spoke no Chinese at all.” said Jeana. “Now after more that three years, there’s a major difference because I can communicate with others.”

She came to Taiwan in August of 24. She spent one year earning Mandarin at National Taiwan Normal University, then in September of 2005 went on to pursue a degree in Advertising at National Chengchi University in Taipei.

‘Being such an eager and motivated individual, at the beginning of my second year I went on to pursue a second degree in Diplomacy at NCCU.” Jeana said.

When asked if there’s anything she might be concerned about when she returns home, she stated that it might be difficult to find a job because there has been a significant increase in the numbers of students from her country going overseas to study, many of them excel academically.

‘With so many qualified people and job offering, the competition is tight.” said Jeana.
Added to obstacles, all three students that were interviewed face major problems with the weather.

‘Coming from a tropical island I find it difficult to adjust to the cold winters and the seemingly never ending rain.” said Jeana. “Because of the constant fluctuation in temperatures, especially during the changing in seasons, I get colds very often, sometimes very bad.

Kervin Lloyd and twenty two year old Samantha Daniel from the beautiful Caribbean Twin Island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis also expressed how they felt studying in Taiwan.

Unlike Jeana, Kervin came to Taiwan in 2005, where he studied Mandarin at National Chengchi University for one year.

Presently Kervin is a first year student pursuing a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication at Ming Chuan University at the Taipei campus, making him the second person from his country to pursue a degree in this major at the same University.

“As a student my life on campus is not really forth coming.” said Kervin. “Sometimes as a foreigner, I feel shut out and things about me are just handed down to me without my input of opinion.”

“However, I am very happy to be given the opportunity to study in a foreign country.” stated Kervin. “For me it is a change of environment and an education in another country’s culture.”

Even though he is far away from home, he is not eager to return because he knows that someday he will, so for now he is just living the moment here in Taiwan. However, he mentioned that he keeps in touch with his parents and friends back home regularly through much modern technology such as the internet.

He further mentioned that living in a totally different environment to his, obstacles do arise.
‘To overcome these obstacles I first seek guidance from God, then my mom and to a smaller extent the advice of those from my country who have been here for some tome now.” said Kervin.

Upon returning home Kervin is concerned about the usual stifling of new ideas learned in modern day education systems from people who have been in the system for too long and unwilling to accept change or new thinking.

Samantha is a third year student pursing a Bachelors degree in Life Science at the National Chung Hsing University in Taichung.

Surprisingly, Samantha is not too moved about the culture change. In an interview with her, she had this to say.

“I enjoy the beach, so sometimes I feel am too far from home, but as a Caribbean woman, I believe that we have survived so much so far; this is nothing.”

She finds that Chinese is a lovely language and is so blessed to learn such a language that is the opposite of English. Sam is a positive person and tries not to dwell in the negative.

Unlike Kervin and Jeana, Samantha doesn’t ‘dread’ anything when she returns home.
“God is in control and He will see me through.” she said. “He would not give me more than I can handle.”

Going to church every Sunday, singing and keeping in touch with her Caribbean counterparts/friends helps Samantha to relax and overcome any obstacle she faces while here in Taiwan.

Students strongly believe that they now have a responsibility to self, family and country to apply themselves diligently. They are here as students to observe and to become acquainted with the culture, environment and the people among whom they live.