INCOMING EXCHANGE STUDENT’S FACT SHEET
Fall Semester 2024
Tzu Chi University (TCU)
University

Main Campus- 701 Zhongyang Rd., Sec. 3, Hualien 97004, Taiwan.
Jieren Campus- 67 Jieren St., Hualien 97074, Taiwan.
Taiwan (Republic of China, R.O.C.)
Hualienhttps://www.tcu.edu.tw/https://oia.tcu.edu.tw/?page_id=1870
Elise Anne DeVido (Associate Professor)
Dean of International Affairs.
Email:devido@gms.tcu.edu.tw
Tel: +886-3-8565-301 ext. 1023

CountryCity
Webpage(TCU)
Webpage(OIA)

Office of International
Affairs Contact

Chien-Yi, Chen (Ms.)
Email:chieni@gms.tcu.edu.tw
Tel: +886-3-8565-301 ext. 1014
Fall Semester: mid-September to mid-January
Spring Semester: mid-February to the end of June
Academic Year/Semester
Dates

Length of the Exchange
PeriodOnline Exchange Students
Application Period2024 Academic Year
Calendar
Instruction Language

Credit hours per Semester(TCU Credits)

Fall 2024 Semester Dates
 Nomination/Application Deadline: May 20, 2024
 Academic Year/Semester Dates: mid-September to mid-January.
One academic year or one semester
There are two semesters in every academic year, the fall semester and thespring semester, in which students can apply for exchange at TCU.
Fall Semester: April 6 - May 20
Spring Semester: October 1 - November 11
Please refer to 2024 TCU Academic Calendar EN TC for now.
Chinese / English
At TCU, each course is normally worth 2-3 credits and meets 2-3 hours per
week over 18 weeks (one semester).
1 credit = 1 hour per week over 18 weeks, 1 credit = 18 hours
Approximately 1 TCU credit = 2 ECTS credits
1 TCU credit = 1 credit hour (North American credit system)

Courses(Webpage)2024 Fall courses will be available in July/August 2024. Please refer toprevious courses for you reference:https://edurp.tcu.edu.tw/scaswebadmin/annoclaslist.aspx

Courses Taught in English

https://academic.tcu.edu.tw/?page_id=2649

Tzu Chi University・Office of International Affairs
701, Zhong Yang Road Section 3, Hualien City 970, Taiwan, R.O.C

Mandarin Courses

We offer credits for Mandarin Courses for exchange/international students.

(from Beginning to Advanced)
International College: https://intleng.tcu.edu.tw/?page_id=445
Additional language courses are available at the Chinese Language Center(Tuition Based, with 10% discount): https://language.tcu.edu.tw/《Step 1 Eligibility》
Home Institution
Exchanges to TCU are only possible if your school has an exchange
program to TCU and if you have been selected by your university. Pleasecheck with your school to see if they offer exchanges to TCU and what
procedures you need to complete the selection.
Application Deadline
Once your home institution has selected you for an exchange, you must
apply for TCU’s exchange program. Please complete the application steps
stated as follows and return it to your exchange advisor at your homeinstitution. Please be aware of the TCU application deadlines for thesemester/academic year you are applying.
《Step 2 Online Application》
Application Procedure and 1: Contact your university’s exchange advisor.
Documents
2: You will receive the exchange nomination notice email from TCU after
your advisor submits all the documents.
3: Application documents required:
Please upload the following documents by deadline.
 Online application for Fall 2024 Exchange Program:
https://forms.gle/8eTaSZGMPsy64rZo7- An official English transcript from home university (PDF);- A photocopy of passport information page (JPG);- An English or Chinese autobiography – at least 500 words (PDF);- An English or Chinese study plan & statement of purpose – at least 500words (PDF);- A passport-size colored photo for registration procedure (JPG).
 Chinese Proficiency Evaluation (Only for students who had studied
Chinese before): https://forms.gle/r9c1vzU5askX3p7u9
What International
TC: http://freshman.tcu.edu.tw/?page_id=2025
Students Need To Know
EN: https://tcueng.tcu.edu.tw/?page_id=2213
Tuition Fees (If applicable) Base on the agreement between your university and TCU, your tuition might
be waived.
For reference only.
Costs of Living
https://tcueng.tcu.edu.tw/?page_id=2074
International students are required to purchase insurance in their own
Insurance
country during their stay in Taiwan.
Accident insurance is MANDATORY for all incoming exchange students.
Students are requested to join an accident insurance plan as recommended
by TCU. Students are required to purchase an insurance plan during the first
Tzu Chi University・Office of International Affairs
701, Zhong Yang Road Section 3, Hualien City 970, Taiwan, R.O.C

week after arrival.
-Accident and Health Insurance:
TCU will assist you in acquiring health insurance coverage in Taiwan,
which costs NT$3,000 for a period of six months before you can join theNational Health Insurance.
-Student Group Insurance:
The policy covers medical treatment, surgery and hospitalization caused byaccidents only. Additional NT$332 per semester.
《ARC》
If you hold an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and have met the six-monthminimum residency requirement, you can choose to join the National HealthInsurance (NHI) with limited coverage. Valid NHI card (National Health
Insurance card) can be considered an equivalent insurance.
USD 275/NT 8,200 (Per semester/student)
On-Campus Dormitory
All international students will be provided with on-campus dormitory-stylehousing which costs about $USD 275/ NT 8,200 per semester per student.
Each room accommodates four students. However, based on the agreement
between your university and TCU, your on-campus housing expense might
be waived. Please consult with your exchange advisor.
All exchange students are required to arrive TCU at least 3 days before theArrival datesemester starts.
Please arrive at Taoyuan International airport around noon time since ittakes more than 5 hours to arrive at our campus. Please keep your cell phoneavailable and arrive at our campus on the recommended date to match the
opening of the accommodation.
NOTE: Please let us know if your arrival date/time differs from suggested
by TCU.
No provided.
Airport Pick-Up
You need to buy a temporary SIM card at the airport and inform the Office
Cell Phoneof International Affairs of your phone number and contact information.
Before You Begin Your Exchange《1.Visa application》
Before you come to Taiwan, you should apply for a Resident or Visitor Visa at the Taiwan DiplomaticCenter in your residence country with the official admission letter issued by TCU.
Please note that if you fail to obtain a correct visa issued by a Taiwan Diplomatic Mission, your exchange
program will be canceled. You will get more information upon receipt of a TCU offer letter.
Note: There is no “Student Visa” in Taiwan. Instead, Taiwan offers 2 types of Visas for foreign students:
1. Visitor Visa, 2. Resident Visa. If you are going to stay less than 6 months, you should apply for the visitor
visa. If your program is longer than 6 months, you will need to apply for the resident visa.
Entry Visa and Alien Residence Certificate (ARC): https://oia.tcu.edu.tw/?page_id=4037
Students are responsible for applying for the correct visa type before entering Taiwan. For visa information
please contact the closest Taiwan diplomatic center.
https://www.mofa.gov.tw/OverseasOffice.aspx?n=168&sms=87《2. Email TCU Your Travel Information & Visa details》
Please provide your flight information and visa to Office of International Affairs before August 16, 2024.
Tzu Chi University・Office of International Affairs
701, Zhong Yang Road Section 3, Hualien City 970, Taiwan, R.O.C

《3.Finish Medical Examination》-Stay less than 180 days: Health Certificate for Short-Term Students please finish all the required items inyour country, which includes “Positive Measles and Rubella Antibody Titers or Measles and Rubella
Immunization” and “Chest X-Ray for Tuberculosis”.
-Stay more than 180 days: Health Certificate for Residence Application
After Arrival TCU《1. Pay Off Your Dormitory Fee – NT 8,200 Semester/Student》-Pay by cash
《2. Pay Off Your Insurance Fee – NT 3,332 Semester/Student》-Pay by cash
《3. Submit Your Medical Examination Report》-Stay less than 180 days: Health Certificate for Short-Term Students-Stay more than 180 days: Health Certificate for Residence Application
Please prepare the originals and the soft copies of immunization certificates, the chest X-ray report andtranslate it into English or Mandarin. Then, submit it to OIA when you arrive.
《4. Visitor Visa Extension/ Changing and Getting an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)》
Please finish 「International Exchange Student Leave-School Procedure Form」before leaving.

Tzu Chi University・Office of International Affairs
701, Zhong Yang Road Section 3, Hualien City 970, Taiwan, R.O.C