I grew my interest of being an exchange student through my learning experience.
In my learning career, I was particularly keen on the process of exchanging opinions with individuals from different backgrounds. Having privileges to have worked with foreign students, I enjoyed the collision of ideas throughout the intercultural discussions and worshiped the capabilities of foreign students to possess such confidence when presenting ideas. I am more determined to participate in Exchange Program after I became a graduate in Finance and decided to pursue further studies and career in the field of Fixed Income & Derivatives. For one, I have had the intention of experiencing different education style outside Mandarin environment ever since I discovered the passion of enriching my international point of view, receiving various thoughts from different backgrounds through this precious opportunity. Moreover, the Fixed-Income related securities and instruments are vigorously researched and traded in other major economies outside of Taiwan, including Australia. However, it is relatively unpopular in Taiwan as a career choice, leading to the idea that maybe I should go abroad and see how they deal with them, or even profit from such gigantic markets.
This section is based on my first-choice university, University of New South Wales (UNSW). According to policy of UNSW, each exchange student must take on exactly 18 units of credit, equivalent to 3 courses with 6 units each per standard term. My selection of modules comprises of 3 courses and 2 back-up courses for scheduling flexibility, with 3 out of 5 courses from Finance, my field of study, and others selected to suffice my intention to experience cross-country cooperation in practice. Composition of courses directly links to my objective of placing focus on Finance as well as enhancing my capability of working with foreigners. Unfortunately, “Fixed Income and Derivatives” course, which is bound to be my first choice, will not be available at term 3.
| Course | Credit | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Derivatives and Risk Management Technique | FINS5535 |
6 | The course emphasizes the use of derivatives in financial risk management. It includes actual simulation aiming to help students gain practical knowledge about market mechanism. |
| Trading in Financial Securities | FINS5566 |
6 | Studies how and why investors trade and the impact of market structures on the interaction of transactions with case studies, examples and practitioner presentations. |
| Partnered Work Project | CDEV6100 |
6 | Designed to enable students to integrate specialized knowledge with professional practice by working directly on a real-world project, in inter-disciplinary teams. |
| (Continuous-Time Finance | FINS4781) |
6 | Long story short, it is basically Stochastic Process in Practice, with elegant course structure designed by lecturer to introduce how the theories are put into use. |
| (Data Science Project A | DATA5011) |
6 | This course exposes students to research methods in applying data science and decisions techniques to a research project, which also includes a presentation. |
Schedule my thesis research in advance
As a graduate student, one must stay connected to the thesis and consistently making progress during the Exchange period. Consequently, it is vital to assure that researches are done as usual.
Prepare to Promote Hometown
Honored to have Taiwanese culture as my upbringing, I am fully prepared to introduce my country as attractive as possible. Culture, hospitality and cuisines included, I am certain that I could be an ambassador of the beloved Taiwan.
Preview Courses
Taking courses in new environment can be challenging. As a result, I had better acquaint myself with the professions I will be taking in UNSW beforehand.
Be Active
The most important objective in this journey for me is to widen the perspective. Seizing every chance to establish new relationship and to express myself, through cross-cultural interaction and active participation in any given opportunities, is the best way to cherish and make full use of this journey.
Open up My Mind
Go make some friends in the new environment as I have already stepped out of my comfort zone. Attend parties with foreigners, explore local festivals, feel the loneliness and humbleness as an outsider. Leave the stiff mindset at home, immerse myself in the diversified cultures and perspectives.
Record experiences
I expect myself to record all the experiences I expose myself into. Through images, videos or writings, those precious memories will be brought back. In case you don’t know, I do run a YouTube channel.
Experience Sharing
I would like to share all my knowledge and preparation experience about this journey to those who are interesting in going abroad as much as I do. I will cooperate with related administration to promote this program, aiming to reduce information non-concordance between exchange program and potential participants.
Assess my capability of working overseas
In accordance with one of my motivation, I project to examine my suitability of performing tasks in unfamiliar surroundings through “Partnered Work Project” or “Data Science Project A” course. Such experience would obviously grant myself more confidence to pursue oversea career.
Accumulate Global Perspective
Brand new stage of life starts as soon as returning home. Experience as an exchange student must widen my view, yet far from enough. Through participating in related event, International awareness or international volunteers, there are abundant experiences to accumulate and I have confidence that my global perspective will be enhanced to next level.