來自美國紐澤西州的麥義恩（Ian Murphy）經駐紐約教育組推薦獲選為2021年臺灣獎學金受獎生，目前就讀臺灣師範大學工商管理碩士（MBA）。過去一年在臺灣，麥義恩在個人生活及專業方面皆收穫良多，獎學金提供他很多空間能夠追求課外興趣，除了修習臺師大課程以外，他也受邀參與台北市政府外國事務辦公室實習，透過此機會增強研究能力，並接觸位於台北的外國企業與辦公室，了解他們如何與市政府合作。除此之外，麥義恩也成為新北市扶輪社的成員，藉此認識許多臺灣的公司以及機構，接下來一年他希望能回饋臺灣社會，輔導未來將到臺灣學習的學生生活以及職業發展的機會。
New Jersey resident, Ian Murphy received the Taiwan Scholarship through the Education Division, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York to pursue an MBA at National Taiwan Normal University and intern in Taiwan between 2021-2023. This June, he reflects on what studying in Taiwan for one year was like and how it has impacted him so far.
“So far, the past year I spent in Taiwan has been rewarding for me both personally and professionally. The Taiwan Scholarship lasts for two years under my current graduate school program, and the monthly stipend has given me the room to pursue extracurricular interests. While studying at National Taiwan Normal University, I was invited to do an internship with the Taipei City Government’s External Affairs Office due to my background in international relations. This internship provided me with opportunities to develop my research skills and the ability to engage with the heads of foreign corporations and foreign offices located in Taipei to see how they can best collaborate with City Hall. Through this internship, I was better able to understand the needs of foreign stakeholders in Taiwan and learn how the Taiwanese bureaucracy operates.
Additionally, I am now a proud Rotary member! I joined New Taipei City’s Rotary District 3490 back in February and have had the pleasure of getting to know many Taiwanese companies through the organization. This next year, I hope to give back to the community I build in Taiwan by mentoring incoming students about life and career advancement opportunities in Taiwan.”
The Ministry of Education’s Taiwan Scholarship Program was established to encourage outstanding international students to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree at any of Taiwan’s universities. At the same time, students will learn about Taiwan’s academic environment while developing their professional skills and becoming experts in their field. This, in turn, contributes to fostering communication, connection, and understanding between Taiwan and the international community.