IHP, NYMU

Coming to Taiwan in September of 2010 was a big change for me. Taipei is a city vastly different than anything I had been used to living on the eastern coast of the United States for the last 22 years. The first time I sat down in my room I began to wonder I had gotten myself into. Then classes began.

From the first day at National Yang Ming University, it became clear that the International Health Program would open me up and give me access to a world of experiences and points of view that I never would have been able to see if I had stayed in my home country. The opportunity to interact, discuss, study, and work with people from all over the world allows the program to offer students a truly global view of public health, and healthcare. This education goes beyond the classroom as working so closely with other internationals students creates bonds of friendship, allowing a wildly multicultural environment.

The faculty and staff in the program are exception resources for students as well. Without them, the program simply could not run as fluidly as it does, and they become important lifelines in the student experience. They are warm, understanding of the needs of each student, are more than willing to help wherever they can, and it does not go unnoticed.

Situated tangent to the Yang Ming Mountains, the campus itself is a jungle complex, making it seem even more wondrous. With the ShiPai night market, and the close proximity to the MRT station, the school makes accessing the true heart of Taipei easy. It is nearly impossible to find yourself without something to do. Even if you want to get away from the city elements and relax, the train connects you directly with the river town of Danshui, a welcome spot for clearing your head and watching one of the best sunsets I've ever seen.

All in all, I am grateful for the opportunity to study at NYMU, as I know it is an education that will last even beyond graduation, and help shape my future careers and endeavors for the rest of my life.