Connect with Former Fellows

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!

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!

I study East Asia because of its unique combination of ancient tradition and dialogue with the West; experiencing the incredible history and diversity of Taiwan while living in the heart of Taipei put me at the nexus of Chinese, European Japanese, Southeast Asian, and American traditions. At ICLP, I studied the local Taiwanese language (on which each of these cultures has left it’s mark) and spent a ton of time hiking the country, Alishan to Yangmingshan to Taiwushan! What made my experience hiking in Taiwan special was learning the unique role mountains play in Taiwanese culture: they represent centers of Buddhist learning, separated the Hakka, Hokien, and Aboriginal ethnic groups, inspire debates between land rights interests and environmental groups, and are the site of many a ghost story! I can’t wait until I can return to explore more of Taiwan’s many historic trails.

Hey everyone，大家好！My name is Jerry Feng, a current super sophomore in Davenport. I took a gap year to study abroad in Taiwan at ICLP for the academic year from 2022–2023 with Light. Needless to say, one of the best choices I ever made in life: learned so much about my own culture that I never knew before in addition to finding out lots of new passions and interests related to Chinese language and culture. Travelled to a lot of places in Taiwan as well, so please do not hesitate to reach out regarding anything related to ICLP, Taiwan, China, learning Chinese at Yale, etc!

Hello! My name is Hiroko, a sophomore in Trumbull College. I studied abroad in Taiwan (CET) for Chinese in the summer of 2023 through the light fellowship. I had an incredible 10 weeks of immersing myself in Taiwan – from the most engaging classes, weekly excursions to the mountains, local friendships, so much good food, starting a blog, and more! Please reach out with any questions about studying abroad, Chinese or Taiwan :)

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! 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!