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Hans Juliano’s journey from Indonesia to Taiwan is a story of bold decisions, cultural exploration, and professional growth. Inspired by Taiwan’s leadership in the semiconductor industry and NYCU’s strong reputation, Hans decided to pursue a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS IGP), with a focus on nanoelectronics. A scholarship from NYCU gave him the chance to chase his dream of becoming an expat and deepening his technical skills.

Moving to Taiwan wasn’t easy, especially learning Chinese from zero. But Hans took it as a challenge. He joined campus activities, became Vice President of the International Student Association, and served as General Secretary of the Hsinchu Indonesian Student Association. Through these roles, along with language classes and cultural events, he built meaningful friendships and a strong support network.

With guidance from Professor Tseung-Yuen Tseng, Hans completed a research thesis that was later published in an international journal. This academic experience helped him build a solid foundation for his career. Thanks to NYCU’s close collaboration with Micron Technology, he joined a Semiconductor Mandarin course and participated in mock interviews, both of which helped him land a job at Micron even before graduation.

Today, Hans works as a Quality Engineer in Process Contamination Control at Micron. He feels his education at NYCU gave him the tools and confidence to contribute to the industry from day one. Beyond academics, life in Taiwan has taught him resilience, adaptability, and how to thrive in a new environment.

Hans encourages future NYCU students to make the most of their time in Taiwan. “Take every opportunity, learn the local language, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone,” he says. Living by the saying, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” Hans is excited to keep growing in Taiwan’s fast-paced semiconductor world.

Before coming to Taiwan, Rohan Paste was pursuing his studies in Nanoscience and Technology with a strong focus on materials for solar cells, especially through DFT (Density Functional Theory) analysis. His interests lay at the intersection of theoretical research and real-world application, which naturally led him to seek opportunities that could bridge this gap.

Before arriving in Taiwan, he didn’t know much about the country. He was aware of its industrial importance, especially global leaders like TSMC—but he had little to no understanding of the local culture or political dynamics. That changed quickly. Rohan became deeply curious and began to study Taiwan beyond textbooks, exploring its social landscape, culture, and geopolitical background, alongside his formal education.

Chang Rui-Min, an alumna of our school, currently serves as a Competence Engineer at ASML in the Netherlands. She pursued her master's degree in Physics and secured an internship opportunity at ASML through the international cooperation internship program facilitated by our university.

From a young age, Rui-Min had a profound interest in Physics and Mechatronics. After graduating from NYCU with a major in Physics, she continued her exploration in fields such as information theory and neural networks at our university's Institute of Physics.

She dedicated herself to enhancing the accuracy of AI classifiers and took courses in semiconductor process technology. This knowledge in lithography led her to an internship opportunity at ASML in the CS EUV optics team, where she currently serves as a Competence Engineer.

During her internship at ASML, Rui-Min gained significant insights and skills. Her manager highly valued the methods and attitude she adopted when faced with research challenges, which not only laid a solid foundation for her work but also contributed to her subsequent research endeavors. When a job opened at ASML, her manager promptly contacted Rui-Min, offering her a full-time position.

Cross-Cultural Challenges in International Research Collaborations: Insights from Filipino Engineers in Taiwan

After completing a Physics and Materials Science Engineering degree from Ateneo de Manila University, Jethro engaged in a career in the Semiconductor/Electronics industry, working as a Product Engineer with Amkor Technology in the Philippines and Sonion in Vietnam. Inspired by a business trip to the Netherlands, Jethro decided to pursue graduate studies, where he recognized the imperative need for further education to bolster his international competitiveness. Opting for Taiwan, specifically National Chiao Tung University, proved strategic due to the country's prominence in semiconductor technology.

Daria, a natural sciences enthusiast who particularly excels in mathematics, shows remarkable proficiency for his age. Daria anticipated combining technology and tradition for academic pursuits, envisioning an intriguing blend of contrasts. Taiwan's reality surpassed her whimsical expectations, immersing her in a lively environment of neon lights, bustling night markets, and vibrant streets filled with scooters. Embracing the unexpected, Daria found readiness for the diverse experiences that awaited.

With its distinct advantages, Taiwan became an alluring destination for her studies. The NYCU stood out for its commitment to educational excellence and is renowned for equipping graduates with relevant knowledge and experiences. Influenced by an upperclassman's vivid portrayal of Taiwan's educational landscape, where Daria could forge individual paths through diverse courses and flexible requirements, she decided to study there. The unwavering support of her family further solidified her choice, considering Taiwan's reputation for safety, quality healthcare, and a diverse culinary landscape.

From working at big companies and leading a comfortable life to leaving it all behind in pursuit of a soulful journey and finding one's place – this is Sachidananda's story. It's a tale that emphasizes the importance of never giving up on your dreams, even when it seems like you've already achieved enough. Sachidananda Dash, known as Sachi (薩其) to his friends in Taiwan, hails from the eastern state of India–Odisha. His decision to study in Taiwan was influenced by the stories of his brother-in-law, who had already been living there.

When asked about his motives for choosing Taiwan, Sachidananda explains, “If I recall, my brother-in-law used to say Taiwan is one of the best places to pursue science and engineering. Education is not excessively costly, and scholarship programs can cover your expenses. People here are friendly; the country is well-developed in terms of infrastructure and facilities. And, most importantly, Taiwan is a very safe place. The police are always active, people are civic-minded and well-behaved. Even if you lose your wallet or mobile, people will deposit it with the police rather than stealing it.”

At that point, Sachidananda had already completed his Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering and had worked for 4.5 years in two prominent Indian IT companies – Wipro Technologies and Infosys Ltd. So, the decision didn't come easy. He had doubts, but he knew that in his current job, he could barely apply the learnings from his bachelor's degree. Eventually, the desire to pursue work that could utilize his expertise and learnings won, leading him to apply to a dozen universities in Taiwan, with NYCU being his final choice.
 

Wang Li-Yang graduated from the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Undergraduate Honors Program in 2017 and a master’s program at the Institute of Multimedia Engineering in 2020. He is currently studying in a doctoral engineering program at the Eindhoven University of Technology and an internship program offered by the sustainable development department of Philips.

Alex Tkachenko, a professional in the field of technology and engineering, embarked on an academic journey that led him from Ukraine to Taiwan. Before arriving in Taiwan, Alex specialized in natural sciences, focusing on subjects such as mathematics, physics, and biology, complemented by robotics courses and participation in various competitions.

Initially unfamiliar with Taiwan, Alex's impressions were shaped from friends who had studied in NYCU and information gathered online. His decision to pursue a degree in Taiwan emerged serendipitously when a friend shared the appealing aspects of studying abroad, including the diverse university curriculum and engaging campus activities.

Reflecting on his time at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), Alex shared notable achievements, such as winning first place in the World Robot Olympiad in 2015 and 2018. He emphasized the support received from NYCU, both in terms of technical expertise gained through coursework and the resources provided by the university's lab.

However, Alex acknowledged facing challenges during his time in Taiwan, with the language barrier being one of the most significant hurdles. He highlighted solutions such as learning the language, building friendships for support, and choosing environments with varying language complexities.
 

The International College of Semiconductor Technology of NYCU established a joint dual-degree of doctoral program with IIT Delhi, and Akhil K Ramesh from India was the first graduate of this program. He first took courses at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, came to Taiwan for subsequent studies in 2019, and graduated with a joint dual doctoral degree within 4 years.

Before coming to Taiwan, Akhil had known about the world-class semiconductor technology in Taiwan and it being a global leader in semiconductor fabrication. He learned from his advisor at the Indian Institutes of Technology, Prof. Pushparaj Singh, that the institute was collaborating with NYCU to launch a joint dual-degree of doctoral program. To advance his knowledge of semiconductors, Akhil applied to this program and came to Taiwan to study.

During his study, he had access to high-technology devices, had a chance to work with the industry, and learned about advanced technologies, all of which made him feel grateful for making the decision to come to study in Taiwan. The research projects he has participated in, including two collaborative projects of NYCU with the Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute and with the Industrial Technology Research Institute, provided him with a further understanding of the actual needs of the semiconductor industry. What he learned was not just textbook knowledge but what he could apply in the industry, such as how to reduce damage to semiconductors during fabrication.

NYCU Undergraduate Honors Program in Nano Science and Engineering, class of 2017, and International College of Semiconductor Technology, Master's class of 2019 alumnus, Nai-Chen Chi, currently works as a Software Engineer at Microsoft's headquarters in Seattle, USA, in the Azure Cloud Services department.

During her university years, Nai-Chen Chi showcased exceptional talent. She represented our university at the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Biology Competition in Boston, USA, leading the team to secure third place globally with a project focused on target drugs. Not only did she shine in international competitions, but Nai-Chen Chi also published two papers on three-dimensional integrated circuits during her senior year under the guidance of Professor Guan-Neng Chen. These papers are archived in our university's institutional repository. While publishing papers, Nai-Chen Chi represented our university as an exchange student at KU Leuven in Belgium. She mentioned that her exchange experience in Belgium exposed her to different life paths, breaking the stereotype of being an 'overworked' engineer and broadening her international perspective.

Returning to pursue a master's degree at the International Semiconductor Industry College, Nai-Chen Chi completed her master's thesis in just a year and a half. In the second semester of her second year, she actively sought internship opportunities and became the representative for the university's first Delta Electronics European Headquarters Overseas Professional Internship Program. She interned at the Amsterdam branch in the Netherlands. During her internship, Nai-Chen Chi, working in the sales department, not only demonstrated proper customer interaction etiquette but also skillfully used programming languages like JavaScript to create web pages. She expressed gratitude for the overseas internship opportunity provided by NYCU, which allowed her to shed the identity of a student, work independently in the professional field, and solidify her determination to pursue a career overseas, fulfilling her long-cherished 'Silicon Valley dream.'

Seeking employment in the highly competitive job market in the United States is no easy task. Apart from language barriers, visa constraints pose significant challenges, with only top-notch talents gaining favor from American companies. After sending out tens of thousands of resumes and a year of hard work, Nai-Chen Chi secured a job opportunity at Microsoft. In Microsoft's Azure Cloud Services department, her work hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, adopting a responsibility system. Her primary responsibilities include optimizing systems using the C++ programming language. Nai-Chen Chi highlighted the friendly work environment at Microsoft, with colleagues and supervisors readily providing guidance. She hopes to become an independent software engineer soon.

Throughout the interview, Nai-Chen Chi, characterized by her proactive and humble demeanor, repeatedly emphasized that she is not inherently brilliant but rather more proactive, putting in extra effort. When opportunities arise, she confidently seizes them. She hopes her sharing will inspire more junior students at NYCU to strive for excellence in their respective fields.