Welcome to the Indiana University Project GO program in Taiwan!
This handbook will help prepare cadets and midshipmen for their summer in Taiwan. Cadets and midshipmen are responsible for reviewing and knowing this information.
TAIWAN HANDBOOK
Contact Information
- Project GO Director | Mr. Nathaniel Lanaghan |nlanagh@iu.edu
- Project GO Assistant | Ms. Jenny McDougall | jkmcdoug@iu.edu
- Language Workshop Director | Dr. Kathleen Evans | ke1@iu.edu
- Phone: +1 812-856-1751
- Site: http://languageworkshop.iu.edu
- Program Director | Dr. Chih-Hsien Chen | 86012@mail.wzu.edu.tw | +886 955-185-804
- Chinese only
- Program Coordinator | Chu-Rong (Helen) Yen | 93005@mail.wzu.edu.tw | 0929-617-537
- English & Chinese
- Address:
900 號, Minzu 1st Rd, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City 80793 Taiwan ROC
American Institute in Taiwan: +886 7-335-5006
American Institute in Taiwan Emergency Phone: +889 2-2162-2000
American Institute in Taiwan Website: https://www.ait.org.tw/offices/kaohsiung/
Cultural Insurance International (CISI): +1 800-303-8120
Scholarship
Find information about Project GO here: https://www.rotcprojectgo.org
Your scholarship includes the following:
- Tuition/fees
- Room and board
- Travel to/from study location*
- Books
- insurance
- Visa (if applicable)
*Project GO Indiana will arrange roundtrip travel from the student's home of record to the orientation in San Francisco and then to Taiwan. Luggage fees included.
June 1-20: Intake OPIc
June 18-20: Orientation in San Francisco
June 21: Depart SFO to Taiwan
June 24: Classes start
August 7: ACTFL Listening and Reading Test
August 17: Depart Taiwan for home of record
August 12-September 1: Exit OPIc
Academic Matters
To maximize language learning, students commit to speaking only Chinese Mandarin between the opening of the program and the close of the program. The Immersion Contract is a key component of your language-learning success.
What Immersion Means
By signing the Immersion Contract, students commit to speaking the language of study whenever feasible, including:
- in the dorm, including with other Program students
- any time you are with a tutor, skills trainer, conversation partner, visiting presenter, or guest of the program
- any time you are with an instructor of your language
- any time you are with another student of your language
- any time you are at an event or activity in your language
Exceptions to Immersion
The immersion requirement can be lifted during class at the discretion of the instructor. Most instructors will permit limited use of English for the sake of clarity. Outside of class, instructors will not break the Commitment except in emergencies.
The Immersion Contract does not apply to interactions with non-Chinese-enabled Indiana University staff, including program staff, academic advisors, university administrators, etc.
Immersion is a Communal Effort
Maintaining Immersion is difficult and at times frustrating but can also be tremendously rewarding. Students commit not only to speaking their language of study but to supporting other students in their efforts to do the same. Faculty also commit to supporting students in their commitment. Together, faculty and staff strive to ensure that every student can take full advantage of the immersion commitment to further their language acquisition.
Accelerated language learning is extremely time-intensive. In addition to 4 hours of class each weekday, you will participate in extracurricular cultural events, language tables, group activities, and more. Students also have daily one-on-one training sessions. Homework loads range from 3-4 hours/day. The daily minimum workload for successful students is 7-10 hours.
Students may miss up to 3 days of class with prior authorization by program staff, or in an emergency. Students who miss program activities without prior authorization or who miss more than 8 hours may not receive full academic credit for the program and their Project GO Scholarships may be reduced.
If you have an emergency and will miss more than the maximum number of hours, contact program administration – in advance if possible – to request accommodation.
Online Placement Estimate
Students will complete a placement test before being admitted. Students will receive a conservative placement estimate. Students must test at Level 2 in order to participate in this program.
Placement testing will take place from February-March 2024, and is calibrated to take into account that students are likely to be in the middle of a semester at the time of placement.
Intake Placement
Students complete a second placement at the beginning of the program to ensure that they are enrolled at the correct level. Intake placement results are final.
OPIc Proficiency Assessments
All students complete externally administered oral proficiency assessments at the beginning and the end of the program.
The intake OPIc must be completed prior to arrival in Taiwan. The post-program OPIc must be completed before the end of August 2024.
Conducted by an independent testing company, these assessments provide an unbiased view of student progress throughout the summer and come with a nationally recognized ACTFL certificate of proficiency. ACTFL certificates are accepted in many government agencies, some universities, and private businesses as documentation of language mastery.
These assessments do not affect grades or placement.
American Council Reading and Listening Exams
Students will be required to take the American Council’s Reading and Listening examinations. This will be a computer-based exam that will measure students' reading and listening ability in Mandarin Chinese. Scores will be recorded and sent to IIE as part of program completion.
All required texts and materials will be provided on-site in Taiwan.
The Project GO Overseas Resident Director will create a Canvas page for the program. Students will be automatically enrolled on the Canvas site for your course before the beginning of classes. The Project GO Coordinator and Resident Director will use the Canvas page to keep students up to date on program requirements and other pertinent information.
Pre-Departure Preparation
You are responsible for bringing:
Passport
Laptop/tablet/device with headset, mic, and charger.
Some cash: do NOT bring more than $500 USD
Credit and/or debit card
Flash drives for class use
Paper clip to open SIM card drawer in phone
Water bottle
Optional Items:
Books, magazines, or eBook device
Soap / toiletries
Workout equipment and supplements
Project GO Indiana staff will communicate with students using the email address provided by students in their Project GO application. Be sure to check this email address regularly.
Remember the following:
- Before you go, familiarize yourself with local laws and customs.
- Keep a low profile (do not bring your uniform, boots, or CAC card).
- Make copies of your passport, plane ticket, driver's license, and credit cards.
- Do not travel alone. Always bring a buddy.
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
- Report any unusual circumstances or incidents to your RD or Project GO Coordinator immediately.
Helpful links:
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) here: https://step.state.gov/step/
Life at Wenzao
Students will spend approximately one week in a hotel near campus until the dormitories open. With the exception of two weekends with host families, will live in the dorms for the duration of their program.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided daily by the university. During homestay weekends, host families will provide students with breakfast and dinner, and the university will provide lunch.
Students may not cook in their dorm rooms.
Students will receive a multi-function cards that allows them access to the Wenzao library, dormitories, dormitory air conditioners, and gym. The cards can also be used for buses and the metro in Kaohsiung and Taipei (MRT), as well as for prepaid shopping in convenience stores.
For safety and convenience, students will receive a loaner phone at the beginning of the program. This phone must be returned in its original packaging to the Resident Director at the end of the program. If the phone is damaged or lost, students will be responsible for paying 6,500 NTD for a replacement.
There will be unannounced safety checks sent to all students. Students must keep their phones charged and on their person at all times.
If issues arise with the phone, please contact the Resident Director immediately.
Project GO students are encouraged to conduct independent travel (in pairs or groups) within Taiwan while on the program. Travel requires approval and may not be approved if it conflicts with the program schedule.
Students are not permitted to travel outside of Taiwan. Travel outside of Taiwan will result in expulsion from the program.
All independent travel conducted by students on the program must be tracked and approved by the Resident Director and the Project GO Manager. Students must submit a form to the Resident director five business days before any independent travel and provide the following information.
See Appendix F of the Taiwan Handbook for a copy of the Independent Travel Form, or submit one here.
Activities and Excursions
There will be daily activities that students are expected to attend.
Weekday Activities with Activity Guides may include:
- Popular Culture
- Calligraphy
- Chinese Tea
- Martial Arts
- Chinese Cuisine
- Chinese Board Games
- Taiwanese Language
- Chinese FestivalsHandicraft classes
- Visit to Historical Museum
- Visit to Art Museum
- Chinese Medicine
There will be weekend excursions that students are expected to attend.
Weekend Excursions with Activity Guides may include:
- 3-day long excursion to Kinmen
- 2-day long excursion to Hualien or Taitung
- 1-day excursion to visit historical sites in Tainan, enjoy local dishes or visit Kaohsiung aboriginal culture sites.
- Two half-day Kaohsiung city exploration tours with local activity guides.
Students will spend two weekends with a host family. Breakfast and dinner will be provided by the host families on those weekends.
Health and Safety
The IU Resident Director and Wenzao staff will assist you with any health-related issues.
In a medical emergency, please call 110 (police) and 119 (fire and ambulance services).
If you are assaulted or are experiencing a mental health crisis, do not hesitate to reach out to the RD or your host institution's Project GO Coordinator.
The program will provide you with insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI).
The comprehensive plan provides:
Increased coverage of $500,000 (paid at 100%)
$0 Deductible
Coverage for personal effects from theft or damage
Trip Interruption
Emergency Medical Reunion (round trip ticket for a parent if a student is hospitalized)
Security Evacuation: provides coverage in the event of: Natural Disasters, Political or Military events, Physical Attacks or Threats, Expulsion from Host Country and Kidnapped or Missing Persons.
- Travel Advisories:
- World Health Information and Advisories:
- Crisis Helplines:
Question Not Answered?
Visit us between 3 and 4pm Eastern on Mondays and Thursdays for Virtual Office Hours
Ask your question by sending an email to pgo@iu.edu.
Call us between 10 and 5 Eastern on weekdays:
Mr. Nathaniel Lanaghan, Project GO Director: +1 812-856-1751
Ms. Jenny McDougall, Project GO Assistant: +1 812-855-6930