Education: Bachelor's Program, Department of Economics, National Dong Hwa University; Master's Program, Department of Economics, National Chengchi University

Hello, fellow students:

Four years ago, I stepped onto the NDHU campus with a mixture of anxiety, nervousness, and anticipation, becoming a student in the Department of Economics. At the time, I often wondered: Am I really suited to studying economics? What kind of department is Economics, and what kind of university is NDHU? I imagine that you, as you read this letter, may have some of the same questions. I hope this letter can be helpful to you.

【About the Department of Economics at National Dong Hwa University】

Looking back on my four years of university, I have no regrets about choosing Economics. As I studied the various courses offered by the Department, I discovered that economics is everywhere in daily life. From something as small as deciding what to eat for dinner to something as significant as government policymaking, many things can be explained through economics, which I find fascinating! Studying in the Department of Economics is also about much more than economics alone. The field involves statistics, accounting, calculus, and other disciplines, providing comprehensive training in rigorous logical thinking.

My four years in NDHU Economics provided me with solid academic training. Beginning in my junior year, I served as a teaching assistant for courses such as Macroeconomics and Money and Banking, which was quite a challenge for me. You do not truly understand and master a subject until you are able to teach it to someone else. During my two years as a teaching assistant, I came to appreciate this lesson deeply. In order to teach my fellow students, I studied Macroeconomics and Money and Banking in greater depth. As a result, these theories became firmly embedded in my mind rather than simply being forgotten after an exam. If you have the time and energy, I encourage you to challenge yourself by becoming a teaching assistant. It can help you gain a much deeper understanding of the courses you study!

The Department's Independent Research course was, in my opinion, the most challenging yet also the most rewarding course. The process began with reading academic literature on my own and learning how the theoretical knowledge I had acquired could be applied to real-world situations. I then discussed the approach and research direction of my project with my professor before carrying out my own research and beginning to write the paper. Through this process, I learned how to use the cwTeX typesetting system, developed the ability to read academic papers in both Chinese and English, and, most importantly, strengthened my ability to identify and solve problems.

The Department offers rigorous and diverse courses, and the professors always take students' questions seriously and provide thoughtful answers. This gave me a strong foundation in professional theoretical knowledge. Serving as a teaching assistant deepened my understanding of these subjects, while Independent Research allowed me to apply what I had learned and complete my own research paper from scratch. These demanding yet rewarding experiences gave me confidence when I applied to graduate school in the second semester of my junior year. When professors asked me questions about my research project and academic subjects during interviews, I was able to answer them confidently and thoroughly. In the end, I was successfully admitted to the Graduate Program in Economics at National Chengchi University! I believe that if you choose to study here, you will also experience the professors' dedication and receive solid training in your professional subjects.

【About University Life】

I am sure many of you are looking forward to a colorful and exciting university experience—joining a club you enjoy, participating in orientation camps, going on late-night outings, and much more. However, in addition to club activities, recreation, and academic study, you can also gradually begin exploring the kind of career you may want in the future and developing soft skills that will strengthen your competitiveness in the workplace.

Whether you plan to continue on to graduate school or enter the workforce, English proficiency is now an essential skill. I strongly recommend improving your English and taking proficiency tests such as TOEIC or IELTS. If your score is high enough, you may even apply for an exemption from the University's English courses and receive 6 credits directly! Since I hoped to work in the banking industry in the future, I also used some of my spare time to obtain relevant financial industry certifications. I hope that in addition to enjoying yourselves during your free time, you will also remember to think about your future and continue developing your abilities, so that you can apply to graduate school or enter the workforce more smoothly when the time comes.

【Reflections on Four Years of University】

University is very different from high school. There are no teachers constantly supervising you and no parents taking care of everything for you, so self-discipline is extremely important! I hope that throughout your four years at university, you can manage your time well and develop strong self-discipline, allowing yourself to enjoy a fulfilling and memorable university experience. I wish you every success in your studies, club activities, and friendships, and hope that you will become the person you aspire to be. Four years from now, I hope you can proudly say: “I have no regrets about studying at National Dong Hwa University, and I have no regrets about choosing Economics.”