大三出國、全英語課程 - 國際視野 : 淡江大學大三出國通報及學分採認系統

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2023大三出國輔導通報系統 - 留學心得報告[編輯]

英文 410810013 　吳柔萱　　留學學校：加州州立大學-史坦尼斯勞斯分校

(一)基本資料

The country where my study abroad program took place is the United State and the sister school which I attended is California State University, Stanislaus. To be more specific, the school is located in a town named Turlock within Stanislaus County which is in California. My program began from August 2023 to May 2024. Although I continued to study as an English major during my school year there, I also took classes across a variety of disciplines where I applied English to different contexts such as Introduction to Acting, Visual Arts, and Writing for Media.(93字)

(二)課程學習

【照片說明：This is the project of case study in Second Language Aquisition class where we study the journey of 】

Among the courses I took there, my favorite one would probably be what I took during my second semester there, Second Language Acquisition which was taught by Professor Pam Young. This course revolved around two elements, the theories which worked behind empathetic and effective teaching of English particularly to speakers of other languages as well as the strategies to achieve it. The class itself was already a role model because of how inclusive, interactive, and practical it was conducted. The professor always encouraged the sharing of different opinions and there were constant discussions in class. Furthermore, the course was taught in an activity-based way instead of the traditional lecture-oriented mode. What I learned from the class and the professor was that empathy, motivation, and the creation of a learner centered classroom were the three most important elements when it came to successful education. To be honest, I only had great memories of studying at CSU Stanislaus. The culture of the classroom was usually really dynamic. This was because how the United State valued critical thinking in their education. This not only made students explore knowledge actively but also made them engage in discussions a lot. As a result, my growth during my study abroad program there surpassed mere improvements in my English proficiency. It also enhanced my communication skills and creativity to an incredible extent. I would strongly recommend other peers to consider becoming an exchange student and trying classes that interest you yet out of your comfort zone. In that case, you would have the best opportunity to grow in aspects you didn’t imagine in the first place and experience life differently. These were my personal insights after spending the year there as I actually tried various courses such as the second language acquisition one I mentioned above, art appreciation, and public relations. (305字)

(三)生活環境

【照片說明：This is taken at Warriors Day which is the annual celebration of the establishment of the school. Th】

The campus was not huge, but it was beautiful and functional. The dormitory was well equipped and cozy. There were a number of stores which were either within walking distance or a few bus stops such as supermarkets. With the student ID cards, it was free to take buses. While there were also some restaurants featuring different types of cuisines around the school, there were also dining options on site which students could purchase meal plans to have a better deal. As for tasks which were more official, there was no need to worry because there were institutions like banks, too. The weather in the central valley can become pretty hot during summer and chilly in the winter. It was generally dry, and the temperature varied a bit between day and night. What I liked most about the software and hardware of this university is that there were a lot of activities coordinated by student organizations. It ranged from movie nights, speeches, to even a trip. Besides, the location of the school was about two hours of driving from the bigger cities such as San Francisco and San Jose. In my perspective, it would be a really great idea to participate in the activities and try as many different things as possible whether it was a certain type of food or a specific place. This not only allowed opportunities to meet with a diversity of people but also enriched your life journey. Last but not least, always put one's safety as the first priority when being in a foreign country.(260字)

(四)自我成長

【照片說明：This is my best friend in Taiwan, and we make a deal to call each other through video calls to share】

The time in the United States was extraordinary for me not merely because of the encountering there, but also the fact that it was my first time to travel thousands of miles away from home by myself. I created some of my favorite memories there, but I had to admit that it wasn’t an experience without any difficulties. I remembered that there were times when I secretly cried in my bed because I missed my friends and family. I also found it a bit challenging to keep up with the class in the beginning because of my English ability. The way I conquered these was to face time with my close friends and family members on a regular basis, especially during special occasions such as their birthdays and holidays. I was determined to spend extra time previewing and reviewing coursework. I used to begin my assignments way ahead to have time for revision. As for cultural shock which was the most impressive to me, that would be how local people tended to engage in small talk with each other even when they were strangers. This was definitely not the case in Taiwan. Therefore, when I first arrived there, I was a bit surprised when people greeted and had conversations with me. However, I became familiar with this culture and adapted to it gradually. I found out that I actually really liked the warmth of this kind of human interaction. I sometimes did the same thing even after I came back, and I guessed I startled Taiwanese people by accidents. (260字)

(五)大三出國建議

It is very important to do research before setting off on the journey. This can be done effectively through either internet browsing or talking to someone with experience. Research should be conducted not only on the school but also the place where it is at as well as the culture of the destination to ensure international etiquette. You should also double check multiple times that you have everything needed with you including important documents and personal items. If not, it can be troublesome when you happen to need those files to prove something. This is something that will actually be a bit beneficial when you are experiencing homesickness or when you don’t want to spend money. I consider it equally important to be mentally prepared for possible situations. Having some inner communication will be really helpful. Another thing I would recommend doing is to bring some local specialties such as snacks or cultural items so that you can have the chance to do citizen diplomacy and cultural exchange. Once upon your arrival, be cautious of the surroundings as it may be unfamiliar. After that you can stop worrying and start embracing everything novel. It is best to just actively engage through things such as making friends with local students, participating in classes, and joining extra curriculum activities so that you will have a better and more realistic picture of diversity and inclusiveness. In terms of daily life, I suggest keeping track of your spending and making plans for breaks in advance so that one can enjoy their time there without finial concerns. Definitely keep in touch with your close ones back home because you will never know how much they miss you as well. (285字)

(六)其他

You will never regret your decisions to study abroad as you will have such a difference experience of life, and you will discover how much you have grown by the time you depart. Of course, don't ever forget that the purpose of this trip is to learn and do not make those who deeply cared for you worry. (58字)

補充照片

【照片說明：Traveling to the top of my bucket list, New York Cities, is one of my favorite memories in the Unite】

【照片說明：One of the activities held on campus that I partook in is the basketball watching and cheering. This】

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資料更新時間：02月26日 11:38

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