Connect with Former Fellows

I spent this past summer on a Light Fellowship studying Chinese through the International Chinese Language Program in Taipei. Though the news that we would not be able to attend the program in-person in Taiwan initially brought me great disappointment, I cannot imagine an online program more engaging, helpful, and generous. I spent my entire first year studying remotely at Yale, which arrangement I felt was overall positive: ICLP showed me, to great surprise, that this bar could be dramatically risen. The vital and irreplaceable strength of this online program was the nature of classes: 2 hours, one-on-one, every single weekday. Over 90 total hours of personal instruction with two different professors has augmented my speaking abilities to an incredible extent in a time period I did not think possible. To top it off, I still stay in touch with both professors, and I got to know both of them at a deep level, even though we communicated almost only in Chinese. Please reach out to me if you have any questions about the Light Fellowship or ICLP! This was the best summer of my life, and I’d love to help pass on what I learned! To come across a gem like the Light Fellowship is so rare—seize the opportunity!

Hi! I'm Sophie and spent Summer 2023 studying abroad as part of CET Taiwan. I had the most incredible time exploring Taiwan and embracing the opportunity to try new things such as dance classes and even aerial yoga. I also really enjoyed my Chinese classes at the Chinese Language Division at NTU and the chance to delve into Taiwanese elections and history within this. I hope to return to Taiwan sometime soon!

Hi! I’m Wendy, and I studied abroad in Taiwan summer of 2022. I did CET Taiwan, and I had the best time of my life in Taipei! Throughout the summer, I learned a lot of Chinese (especially traditional), met lifelong friends and language partners, and fell in love with Taiwanese food, music, and culture. If you have any questions about CET or Taiwan, feel free to reach out to me!

Hey! I'm Leo, and I studied abroad in Taiwan during the summer of 2023. CET Taiwan connected me with my cultural roots, left me with many great memories that I will forever cherish, and allowed me to grow in so many aspects of my life. Go into this program with an open mind and a willingness to learn in inside and outside the classroom. I was exposed to so much even though I lived in China for a short period of my life.

Hi there! I'm Matthew Elmore Merritt, a '24.5 in Branford College from Bridgeport, Alabama. I major in African American Studies on the pre-med track, pursuing a certificate in Global Health Studies. Last summer, I ventured to Taiwan to take courses in Advanced Mandarin with CET. I'm quite pleased with how CET's course textbooks, emphasis on self-directed learning, and off-campus housing placement enhanced my engagement with Taipei by encouraging me to make meaningful, local connections. Please reach out to me at matthew.merritt@yale.edu if you have any questions! :)

I spent Summer 2021 as a Light Fellow with CET China virtually. Throughout the program, I really was able to focus on improving my language skills as well as strengthen my cultural understanding of China. It was particularly rewarding to finish the program with language skills that could communicate complex thoughts and ideas about government, policy, or even Chinese pop culture in Mandarin. I would love to hear from anyone interested in learning more about the Light Fellowship program, or anything related to my summer experiences!