For five weeks during the summer, 16 students from Kennesaw State University’s Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology participated in a study abroad program in Taipei, Taiwan. The group, led by Jeffrey Yiin, clinical professor of electrical engineering and computer engineering, attended courses and engaged with industry leaders in one of Asia’s major technology centers.
The program was based at National Taiwan University. Yiin taught a one-credit course on engineering ethics as well as a special topics class focused on the technology stack, covering subjects such as circuit design, semiconductor fabrication, and hardware systems. According to Yiin, “This experience was more than I could have expected. Students not only learned about engineering in the classroom but also saw it applied in real companies. They asked questions directly to engineers and CEOs, and I believe it opened their eyes to new career possibilities.”
The trip coincided with Computex, a major global technology trade show. Students attended keynote sessions delivered by international industry leaders and explored exhibits featuring recent developments in artificial intelligence hardware and data center systems. Yiin said, “Students rarely have the chance to learn in the classroom and immediately see the industry side. They really embraced it.”
Mason Valles, a computer engineering student who joined the program, described his first exposure to a large trade show as “high octane.” He said he had opportunities to meet both startup founders and executives from large corporations: “You would talk to people who are the CEOs of tech startups and hear how they got funding and built their teams,” Valles said. “Then you would meet leaders from multibillion-dollar companies and hear how they see the future. It was a very eye-opening experience.”
Outside of academic activities, students experienced daily life in Taipei by attending language classes in Mandarin, traveling around the city via subway, sampling local cuisine at night markets, visiting cultural sites like the National Palace Museum, taking part in events such as the Dragon Boat Festival, and spending time on Penghu island.
Yiin noted that none of the participating students had previously visited Taiwan: “None of the students had been to Taiwan before, but they quickly discovered the hospitality, the food, and the ease of getting around,” he said. “They bonded with each other and connected with locals.”
The study abroad session ran from May 19 through June 23 and included participants from various class years at Kennesaw State University. The program was developed with support from KSU’s Global Education office.
Reflecting on his experience leading this group for his first time in Taiwan with KSU students, Yiin stated: “I learned as much as the students did. Seeing my home country through their eyes made me realize how international Taiwan has become. This was one of the best experiences I have had as a professor.”
Lawrence Whitman, dean of SPCEET at Kennesaw State University praised both technical learning outcomes for students as well as broader skills gained through immersion abroad: “This study abroad experience provides the complete package – how engineers work, live, and learn in a different culture,” Whitman said. “Our students learned directly from world leaders in the semiconductor and computing industries while also gaining cultural awareness and global confidence. These skills will serve them well as they become the next generation of leaders and innovators.”
