Semester in Taiwan - Oklahoma City University

Soochow University

About the Program

Soochow University (SU), founded in 1900, is one of the most prestigious private universities in Taiwan. SU has two campuses: the Waishuanghsi campus and the Downtown campus. Both campuses have their own unique cultural and academic resources and distinctive learning environments. The Waishuanghsi campus is located at the cultural axis of Taipei City. Near the National Palace Museum, and the Downtown Campus is located in the administrative and commercial center of Taipei.

SU has six schools, 23 departments, and 54 full-time degree programs. The first and only School of Big Data Management in Taiwan was established at SU in 2015. In February 2017, the School of Business acquired AACSB accreditation. SU has also gained recognition as a “Teaching Excellence Program” by the Ministry of Education for 12 consecutive years and was ranked among the top five for private comprehensive universities in Taiwan by the 2018 QS Asia Rankings.

Hear from Joe Wathika, an Economics major who spent a semester at Soochow University.

Quick Facts

• Total enrollment: 16,000

• The university has 442 full-time faculty, 845 part-time faculty, and 354 staff members

• Soochow has two campuses in Taipei — one in the more traditional, older part of the city and one in the downtown, business hub.

• Soochow is a private, Methodist university. It was the first Western-style university in the country.

Credits/Courses

Students earn 12 to 15 credits per semester. (Minimum: 2-3 SU credits. Maximym: 25 SU credits.)

Students may earn 4 credits of Mandarin language per semester on campus. For additional language courses, students may enroll in classes through the Chinese Language Center on the Waishuanghsi campus.

Courses taught in English include the following:

Asian History and Culture

Business

Economics

Finance

Gender Studies

Literature

Management

Marketing

Music

Political Science

Statistics

You can find examples of courses offered in the past here.

Accommodations

Soochow University offers several on- and off-campus dormitories. Exchange students may live on the Waishuanghsi Campus with local students. Soochow offers two female dorms, Rong-Hua Hall and You-Fang Hall. There is one male dorm, Song-Jin Hall and a new off-campus dorm (for both males and females) near Waishuanghsi campus, Chuan Szu House.

Please note that housing is not guaranteed for exchange students. Soochow will provide information to help students find off-campus housing.

Learn more about housing and view photos of each dorm here.

Fees

Academic Year 2021-2022

Charged to OCU Student Account:

OCU tuition and fees.

Invoiced to student by Soochow University:

On-Campus Housing: between $275 - 2000 per semester

Off-Campus Studio: between $275 - 500 per month

Required Medical and Accident Insurance: approximately $22/month (5 months minimum)

Airport pick-up provided for free to those students residing in school dorms and on published arrival days

Additional costs that students pay directly:

Round-trip Airfare

Meals: approximately $300/month

Local Transportation: Students can purchase an "EasyCard" giving them access to the bus, metro, and public bikes around the metro Taipei area. Ticket prices vary by destination and time of day. One ticket is usually around $1.

Bedding: approximately $100
(SU dorms do not provide any bedding such as mattresses, pillows, or comforters.)

Passport and visa fees: Students staying in Taiwan longer than 180 days will apply for a Resident Visa. Students must also apply for an Alien Resident Certificate within 15 days of arrival.

Personal expenses: approximately $150/month

Spring Semester 2021

Charged to OCU Student Account:

OCU tuition and fees.

Invoiced to student by Soochow University:

On-Campus Housing: between $275 - 2000 per semester

Off-Campus Studio: between $275 - 500 per month

Required Medical and Accident Insurance: approximately $110

Airport pick-up provided for free on published arrival days

Additional costs that students pay directly:

Round-trip Airfare

Meals: approximately $300/month

Local Transportation: Students can purchase an "EasyCard" giving them access to the bus, metro, and public bikes around the metro Taipei area. Ticket prices vary by destination and time of day. One ticket is usually around $1.

Bedding: approximately $100 (SU dorms do not provide any bedding such as mattresses, pillows, or comforters.)

Passport and visa fees: Students staying in Taiwan for less than 180 days should apply for a Visitor Visa.

Personal expenses: approximately $150/month

Download a cost estimate for details.

Eligibility

Must be 18 years of age at start of program abroad
Minimum 3.0 GPA (Students with a 2.50 to 2.99 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.)
Sophomore standing or higher at start of program abroad
Good standing at OCU