Please visit CGY's website for additional information.
Introduction
Chinese Gap Year (CGY) in Taipei is the sister program of National Taiwan University's world-renowned International Chinese Language Program (ICLP), which has been educating students and scholars of Mandarin Chinese for nearly 60 years.
Launched in September 2020, CGY is a nine-month gap year experience for recent high school graduates who are excited to
learn Chinese,
experience life in Taiwan, and
grow as young people. It is open to recent high school graduates of all Chinese proficiency levels, and features:
- An intensive and immersive Mandarin Chinese language and culture program.
- Housing option that balances safety and support with independent living.
- Social and cultural immersion on campus, in the city, and around Taiwan.
- Personalized attention and around-the-clock support and resources.
- A CGY teacher and staff-to-student ratio of 1:2.5 or lower.
- Weekly, monthly, and quarterly activities and excursions.
- A safe and friendly environment for living and learning. A memorable and meaningful gap year experience!
Take a look at the experiences of two recent students,
Laurence and
Monica, who took a gap year and studied at ICLP, prior to the creation of CGY. Or keep reading to learn more about how students will
Learn,
Live, and
Grow right here in Taipei!
Learn
Founded in 1962 to train and develop the oral discursive ability of America's academic elite, ICLP has provided instruction over the past half-century to hundreds of students who now serve in academia and government. Following these instructional practices, CGY students will have three to four hours of Chinese language and culture classes (including daily one-on-one instruction) plus about three to four hours of daily homework.
In addition, students will be paired with a language partner, who is a current National Taiwan University undergraduate student. Beyond that, since the classroom space is a Chinese-only area, students will have many opportunities to engage in Chinese with program staff and classmates. And since Mandarin Chinese is spoken by Taiwan's 23 million residents, every interaction provides students an opportunity to strengthen their skills and accelerate their progress.
Learn more about the textbooks students will use and the progress they will make.
Live
CGY is much more than an academic experience. It is also a living experience, and creating a sense of community among students, teachers, and program staff is important to us. With program enrollment limited to 30 students, the teacher/staff-to-student ratio of 1:2.5 or lower ensures that all students will receive individualized attention.
As a group, we’ll host weekly social and cultural events, plus weekend trips within Taipei and around Taiwan. In addition, students will participate in a once-per-quarter multi-day trip that will allow them to deepen their understanding of Taiwanese culture and society.
Taiwan is
“The Heart of Asia”, and as Taiwan’s capital city, Taipei is a wonderful place to call home. In fact, for two years in a row, it has been named
the best city in the world for expats because of its safety and affordability, great public transportation and healthcare systems, and friendly and accommodating local residents.
Students will be able to explore mountains and beaches, temples and night markets, aboriginal culture, and cutting-edge technology companies. And through it all, they will be forming lifelong friendships and engaging in Chinese.
Just a few of the benefits of life in Taipei:
CGY students have the option of living in the
Taipei Paradise apartment building on the edge of campus, and students can also find their own housing.
No matter where students live, while they are on campus, they will be able to take advantage of NTU facilities, including access to
the largest library in Taiwan, the university’s fitness and health centers, and multiple on-campus cafeterias and restaurants. Perhaps most importantly, students will have the ability to join NTU student groups and make friends with Taiwanese students.
Grow
CGY in Taipei will be an opportunity for students to learn a language, explore a different part of the world, and discover more about themselves.
We recognize that this is a special and important time in our students' lives, and we take seriously their safety, health, and wellbeing while here. Students will strengthen their independence and be even more prepared to succeed in college, and while they will be expected to be responsible and proactive, they should also know that the CGY community will provide the support they need to have success.
What’s Next?
Scroll up and click on the tabs to learn more about the program calendar, fees, application process, and textbooks. You can also view our
Frequently Asked Questions (which contains information on visas), or
read more about our program mission and goals, stance on diversity, and other policies.
Other questions?
Get in touch directly by email.
