Student Handbook MCU International Exchange Program - inbound INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM (& VISITING STUDENT) Spring 2019 Student Handbook * Inbound * Revision: October, 2018 Student Handbook MCU International Exchange Program - inbound Index 1. MCU Academic Calendar 2018-2019: ........................................ 2 2. Orientation Program (2019 Spring) ............................................. 3 3. Costs of Studying in Taiwan ........................................................ 5 4. How to pay at MCU ..................................................................... 6 5. Course Options at MCU ............................................................... 7 6. Instructions for Course Registration .......................................... 12 7. MCU Student Dormitory ........................................................... 16 8. MCU Student Dormitory Policy ................................................ 22 9. Rent a Private Apartment or Studio ........................................... 23 10. Buddy Program .......................................................................... 24 11. Transportation ............................................................................ 24 12. Information for VISA Application ............................................. 26 13. Q&A about MCU Exchange Program (Inbound) ...................... 29 14. Q&A about Ming Chuan ............................................................ 35 15. Introduction of Taiwan: .............................................................. 38 Student Handbook MCU International Exchange Program - inbound Dear exchange and international students: Welcome to Ming Chuan University! Ming Chuan University is one of the leading universities in Taiwan that provides a completely international environment on campus for both local and foreign students. You are from different countries with different cultural heritage and of course need some time to accommodate to new circumstances. This handbook is aimed to provide necessary information for you with the purpose of making you feel comfortable in a new environment. In addition, should you have any questions not answered in the handbook, you are cordially welcome to come to the office of International Education and Exchange Division (IEE). We will try our best to meet your needs. Wish you have a pleasant and fruitful stay in Taiwan. Nathan K.-H. Liu, Ph.D. Executive Director, International Education and Exchange Division ……………………. Study Abroad Center International Education and Exchange Division (IEE) Ming Chuan University Phone: +886-3-350-7001 ext.3705 Fax: +886-3-359-3891 Email: [email protected] Website: http://iee.mcu.edu.tw click on “Exchange (Inbound)” 1 Student Handbook MCU International Exchange Program - inbound 1. MCU Academic Calendar 2018-2019 Fall 2018 semester May 30 Closing date for Fall semester application July 30 Closing date for Airport pick-up & Dorm service application September 4~5 Student Dormitory Open for move-in International Student Airport Pick-up Service September 6~9 Orientation Program for International Students September 10 Fall semester begins; First Day of Classes September 10~19 Student Online Course Selection September 24 Mid-Autumn Festival (holiday), no class October 10 National Day (holiday), no class November 5~9 Midterm Exam Week December 31~January 1 (2019) New Year (holiday), no class January 7~11 Final Exam Week January 11 Last Day of Final Exam Week January 12~13 Departure for home, move-out for student dormitories January 31 End of the academic semester Spring 2019 semester November 30 Closing date for Spring semester application December 31 Closing date for Airport pick-up & Dorm service application February 13~14 Student Dormitory Open for move-in International Student Airport Pick-up Service February 13~17 Orientation Program for International Students February 18 Spring semester begins; First Day of Classes February 18~27 Student Online Course Selection February 28 Peace Memorial day (holiday), no class March 23 Ming Chuan University 62nd Anniversary April 2~5 MCU Spring break, no class April 15~19 Midterm Exam Week May 20~24 Graduating Student Exams June 7 Dragon Boat Festival (holiday), no class June 17~21 Final Exam Week June 21 Last Day of Final Exam Week June 22~23 Departure for home, move-out for student dormitories June 30 End of the academic semester 2 Student Handbook MCU International Exchange Program - inbound 2. Orientation Program (2019 Spring) ※ Orientation Program dates may change. We will keep you informed of the updated arrangements when time gets close. A Airport pick-up Service Please fill in the ‘Service Booking Form’ (See Appendix A in this handbook) for reserving the airport pick-up service on February 13th~14th, 2019 and school housing, and return the form as soon as you know your travel arrangements. If you do not need airport pick-up or dormitory, please reply the form to us anyway. So we can know your personal plan. Please make sure to arrange your flight landing in Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (airport code: TPE), where the airport pickup service is provided. Pickup service is free of charge and the service is provided at 2PM and 8PM. You should purchase a plane ticket with an arrival time of 1PM or earlier for 2PM pick-up service; with an arrival time of 7PM or earlier for 8PM pick-up service. So you have at least 1 hour to go through the customs, claim the baggage and come out to the meeting hall. Meeting place: Airport Arrival Hall, find student assistants with “Ming Chuan University” sign at 2PM and 8PM. If your flight is delayed and you miss 2PM pick-up service, please wait at the airport until 8PM. MCU student assistants will come and look for you. Having said that, if students arrive in different times besides of the service available hours, additional fees may apply. Upon arrival, please make sure you change the foreign currency into Taiwanese dollars at the airport. The amount is suggested around NT$25,000 for dormitory fees and living costs of the first few weeks. After completing registration, you will be assisted to open a local bank account in Taiwan. If you wish to use a local Taiwan mobile number, it’s advised to purchase the phone SIM card at the telecom booths in the airport meeting hall. Or, you can purchase the mobile SIM card at local telecom stores in the city. However, if you are under 20 years old, it’s strongly advised that you purchase the mobile SIM card at the airport. B School Housing Check-in The university accommodation is open for move-in after February 13th, 2019. Rooms are allocated by the university. All students should sign school dormitory agreements and comply with the regulations. School dormitory requires cash deposit for keys (NT$1,000~NT$2,000) when check-in. Students need to prepare personal bedding set, or choose to purchase personal bedding set if available at the convenience store on campus or go for the private vendors off campus. C Things to Bring to Orientation 1) Exchange Student Information Pack (this will be given to you at the airport.) (If you do not request airport pickup service, this Information Pack will be given to you on Orientation day.) 2) Passport 3) 3 head & shoulder photos (for Dorm check-in & Medical Health Checkup forms) 4) Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment form (contact information and signatures need to be completed by parents/ guardians) See Appendix B in this handbook. 5) Fees in Cash (NT Dollars) 3 Student Handbook MCU International Exchange Program - inbound 6) Letter of Acceptance issued by MCU (Please bring this original Letter of Acceptance to MCU in the beginning of the new semester. The Letter is required when applying to extend your visa after arriving in Taiwan!) 7) A Copy of Insurance Documents from Home (For the first 6 months of arrival, international students need to pay the medical bills on own expenses. Therefore, we recommend you arrange your own general& medical insurance coverage from home country for the first 6 months of arrival, i.e. Spring 2019 semester from February 2019 to June 2019. Please bring a copy of your general insurance policy from home country in English version). D Orientation Program All international exchange and visiting students are required to attend the Orientation Program. Date: February 13th~17th, 2019 Workshop: New student registration, VISA information, Introduction to MCU Student System, school regulations, campus environment, course information, etc. Fees to be paid (in NT$ cash only): 1. Dormitory fees of NT$15,000~16,000 per term Welcome Program: To welcome international (exchange) students, MCU Buddy Bon is organizing activities, including campus tour and cultural trips. All exchange students are invited!! Event date and location will be confirmed later. Medical Checkup: All international exchange students are required to attend the Medical Checkup when arriving at MCU. Things to bring: One head-shoulder Photo, Check-up fees Fees to be paid (in NT$ cash only): 1. Medical Checkup fee of NT$500~2,000 **Depending on your type of visa issued by the Taiwan Consulate in your country, read Chapter 12. Information for Visa Application about Medical Checkup notice. ** E Intensive Mandarin Program Placement Test If you intend to take the intensive Mandarin Program for exchange students (6 hours per week for 15 weeks, 90 training hours in total per semester) provided by the Mandarin Studies and Culture Center (MSCC), you are required to join the placement test to decide your proficiency