The Research Experience in Taiwan
By Santos Chicas
Thesis! Thesis! Thesis! This is the word the makes students to tremble with fear and at the same time excited. Fear in the sense that you question your self, if your research topic is good enough and if you will be able to defend your point in front of the evaluation panel, full of professionals and experts in the field when you are just a novice. Excitement implying that you want to get started with your research topic because you have this feeling that you might discover something new and become well known, when you start writing the first word in what seems to be an endless white paper, a sense of despaired takes over the little excitement that you had at the beginning, but don’t worry be happy all of the researchers had the same feeling as you do now. The difference is that some of them have this motivation and no matter what obstacles they find on the way they will over come them. !! WITHOUT SACRIFICE AND DEDICATION THERE IS NO FAME!!!
As a research student in Taiwan you might encounter obstacles that will be hindering you throughout your research. One of this is data gathering, being here in Taiwan I have found it incredibly challenging to gather the information I need from my country to follow with my research topic. It is very difficult to find people that will help you and willingly send you the information you need. There is a saying that says if you want something well done do it by yourself but in our situation this is not the case. So how I manage to deal with the problem is that I wrote some letters to the company explaining them the benefits this research will bring to them and after convincing them, ask them for assistance. Now I have overcome that measure obstacle I encounter while doing my research as a result now everything is moving smoothly.
Things you should take into consideration when you first start your research is to make a well detailed guide line of your research topic in order for you to move smoothly and precisely thought-out your research. Secondly, is that you should focus carefully in what you want to research because most of the times while reading you will find another interesting topic and will want to write about it “keep focus”. It is important to note also that you should take in mind all the advices given by the professor since he is the professional that is guiding you. I know sometimes it can be difficult to reach to an agreement with your professors due to the difference in culture and the way we see things but with good communication anything can be settled. So never give up chayoooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!
In general I have really enjoy my stay here in Taiwan, it is really a pity that its time for me to leave. I think Taiwan is a special and fantastic place on earth. I have take pleasure in ever aspect of Taiwan from the food to my classes and finally my thesis. If in the future I had the opportunity; I will more than willing come back to TAIWAN. REALLY TAIWAN TOUCHES YOUR HEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck my friends and hope to meet you one day in the future