Global Seminar in Taiwan

Taiwanese Culture in Literature and Film

Examine Taiwanese culture - history, memory, faith, urban space, and cultural identity - through literature and film and then bring those themes to life as you travel with your seminar to Taipei over spring break. A dynamic, student-friendly city, Taipei blends cutting-edge modern life with deep traditions. You’ll visit cultural and historical sites, traverse lively neighborhoods, experience night markets packed with affordable street food, and engage with local communities alongside your instructor, Dr. Huang, who grew up in Taiwan.  

Program Overview

Expand upon each of the links below to view more details about this program.

Academic Program

LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION

English

COURSE LOAD 

1 course, 3 credits

COURSE OFFERINGS

You will select one of the following:

  • Asian Studies 0868 World Society in Literature and Film (3 credits)
    • Fulfills GenEd World Society.
  • Asian Studies 2030: Special Topics I (3 credits)
  • Chinese 3000: Chinese Special Topics I (3 credits)

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

In this course, you will learn about global cultures by studying their literature and film. Some of the issues that will be highlighted include: Gender relations and family structures and how they are changing, national and individual identities, pivotal moments in history, economic issues, social change, and diversity.

Location

Located in a mountainous basin in northern Taiwan, Taipei is the capital and political, economic, and cultural heart of the island, with a population of approximately 2.4 million people.

Explore Taipei!

It is a vibrant island society in East Asia, known for its progressive social values and cultural diversity. Taiwan has a highly regarded National Health Insurance system that provides universal coverage to all citizens. Mandarin Chinese is the official language, while Taiwanese, Hakka and several indigenous languages are also spoken across the island. With a subtropical climate in the north and tropical conditions in the south, Taiwan has mild winters, hot summers, and a rich mix of landscapes and communities.

Taipei, the capital city, sits in a basin in the northern part of the island and is home to 7 million residents. Daily life moves through dense streets filled with scooters, buses, and pedestrians, while the metro system (MRT) provides a reliable network used by residents across social backgrounds. Street temples, convenience stores, and neighborhood markets can be found not only along major roads but also tucked into narrow alleys. Popular spots like Dihua Old Street, Taipei 101, Seimon‑cho, and Da’an Park attract different groups of visitors, while other people head to Yangming Mountain or Elephant Mountain to hike and take in panoramic views of the city. Across Taipei, an impressive variety of eateries, from small neighborhood breakfast stalls to restaurants offering global cuisines, showcases the city’s rich and diverse culinary culture.

View the map of Taipei.

Program Dates

Course Duration: January – March (with required Spring Break travel to Taipei) 

Tentative International Travel Dates

 Spring 2027
Departure from U.S.February 27
Arrival in TaiwanFebruary 28
OrientationFebruary 28
Last night in housingMarch 5
Program concludesMarch 6

Do not use the above dates to book your flight, as they are tentative and subject to change. Accepted students will receive confirmed program dates and flight booking guidelines from Education Abroad before making travel plans.  

Program participants are required to be present for the entire length of the program, from the official arrival date through the program end date.

Housing

Housing type: Hotel or Hostel

Basic hotel or hostel (shared, single-sex bedrooms) in Lima for the duration of the program. If you have documented accommodation with Disability Resources & Services for a single room, please contact Education Abroad when you apply for the program. 

 

Activities & Excursions

Program excursions

The on-site partner provides a comprehensive orientation upon arrival, in collaboration with the Temple Program Director.

Throughout the program, you will participate in numerous required cultural activities and excursions designed to immerse students in Taiwan’s cultural, historical, and social environments through the lens of literature and film.

Details are subject to change, but activities and  excursions are likely to include:

  • Film viewing and discussion 
  • Museum tours to explore curated history and identity, including the National Palace Museum, the Museum of Formosan Aborigines, the National 228 Memorial Museum, and the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
  • Visits to temples and shrines to study urban religious practices.
  • Gondola ride and visit to Maokong to learn about local tea culture.
  • Hike Elephant Mountain Trail for panoramic views of Taipei's skyline. Then visit Taipei 101 and see its innovative engineering and sustainable design features. 
  • Beitou Public Library visit to study eco-friendly architecture and sustainability.
  • Beitou Hot Spring Park visit to learn about Taiwan's hot spring culture and see how geothermal resources from its active tectonic setting influence local tourism.
  • Dining at Din Tai Fung to examine how culinary traditions become global icons.
  • Night market visit that highlights food culture, social interaction, and informal economics.

Activities and excursions are subject to change.

Faculty & On-site Support

Temple Faculty

Temple faculty members serve as program directors overseeing the academic program and will be your point of contact for academic matters.

View program faculty.

On-site Support

In addition to your program director, you will have support from our on-site partner.

Program Costs

PROGRAM DEPOSIT

Students will pay a non-refundable program deposit of $400 within 2 weeks of acceptance to the program. This non-refundable deposit is credited to your program fees as a prepayment. 

TUITION AND FEES

Temple students pay their usual spring semester tuition and fees by school/college and residency.

All students pay:

  • Global Seminars Program Fee: $2,500 (Includes airfare, housing, required program activities, and some meals abroad.)

For complete details about billable costs and estimates for non-billable expenses while abroad. 

View detailed program costs.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID

Learn more about scholarships and financial aid.

Health & Safety

Staying healthy and safe abroad requires good planning and strong support. Review our health and safety page for important steps to prepare to study abroad, and details about international travel medical insurance and assistance provided by Temple. 

Contact

Global Seminar Eligibility

Temple Global Seminars are open only to matriculated Temple University students. 

You are eligible to apply if you meet the following requirements.

Are enrolled fulltime and will have completed 1 semester before studying abroad
  • You are enrolled as a full-time matriculated student at the time of application until the end of the Global Seminar.
  • You will have completed at least one (1) semester of college-level study by the program start.
Are in good academic standing and meet minimum GPA requirement for the program
  • You meet the minimum cumulative GPA requirement from all colleges/universities attended. The GPA requirement for Temple Global Seminars is 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
  • You remain in good academic standing from the time of application until the start of the semester of the Global Seminar; students on academic warning are not eligible to participate.
Have a valid passport

A copy of your passport will be required by the October 15 commitment deadline .Your passport cannot expire for at least 6 months after you return from your trip abroad. 

Are in good disciplinary standing

You must be in good disciplinary standing at the time of application and remain so through the start of your travel abroad. Students who have been found responsible for a code of conduct violation and will not be in good disciplinary standing (including disciplinary probation) may submit a petition for review.

Meet the minimum age requirement

You are at least 18 years old at the time of application.

For the Global Seminar in Taiwan, there are no additional eligibility requirements. The program is open to students of all majors and experience levels. 

Application Requirements

The standard application requirements pertain to all students applying to Temple programs.

    For the Global Seminar in Taiwan, applicants are asked to answer a short essay question (250 words) detailing their interest in the program. 

    Admissions Timeline

    Temple students may apply up to the standard application deadline. Application review will begin after the application deadline, not on a rolling admissions basis. After the application deadline, you should expect a decision within (2) weeks.