Exchange guide National Sun Yat-sen University
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at National Sun Yat-sen University in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Snapshot
A coastal Kaohsiung exchange option with a distinctive Sizihwan campus, strong marine, management and engineering profile, and a lower-cost southern Taiwan lifestyle.
Why students shortlist it
Sizihwan/Gushan coastal campus in Kaohsiung, close to harbor districts, hills and the sea.
Teaching languages: Mandarin Chinese, English-taught or English-supported courses depending on college/program
Before You Land
A few practical setup details students usually sort before arrival
Connectivity, insurance, and secure public WiFi are the boring things you only notice when you need them. Keep them on your checklist, but keep the guide itself front and centre.
Arrival Connectivity
Sort an eSIM before you land
Maps, ride apps, 2FA codes, and WhatsApp are usually the first things students need from the airport.
Coverage Check
Confirm your travel insurance
Even when the university gives guidance, students usually need to double-check what is covered before departure.
Public WiFi
Have a backup for shared networks
Campus halls, airports, and cafés are convenient, but many students prefer an extra privacy layer when they first arrive.
Exchange Basics
Requirements
Prepare nomination, transcript, passport, course plan, language/course-fit proof if requested, insurance and visa documents.
Nomination Process
Home university nomination is normally required before NSYSU provides application and arrival instructions.
Visa Support
NSYSU provides admission documents; students follow BOCA and NIA rules for visa and immigration registration.
| Semester | Nomination | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Confirm current NSYSU exchange cycle | Confirm current NSYSU exchange cycle | |
| Confirm current NSYSU exchange cycle | Confirm current NSYSU exchange cycle |
Arrival Checklist
- Check whether your housing is walkable to campus or depends on bus/light rail routes.
- Set up LINE, local phone data and iPASS/EasyCard.
- Confirm visa/ARC duties by stay length.
- Prepare for heat, humidity and steep campus/coastal walking.
- Build backup courses before registration closes.
- Confirm OIA incoming exchange instructions.
- Compare Sizihwan/campus housing with central Kaohsiung options.
- Budget for AC/electricity and hot-weather routines.
- Learn MRT/light rail/bus routes before signing housing.
- Join official student/OIA channels.
Academics
Course Registration
Course availability depends on college, prerequisites, language and capacity. Build backups.nnPrepare backup courses and confirm language, restrictions and credit conversion before finalizing the learning agreement.
Credit System
NSYSU uses local credits; home university conversion should be approved before arrival.
Grading System
Department-specific local grading; ask for transcript and conversion guidance through your home university.
Exam Culture
Expect midterms/finals, group projects and program-specific attendance rules.
Tuition & Fees
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Confirm tuition waiver, insurance and local fees in the current exchange instructions. |
Confirm tuition waiver, insurance and local fees in the current exchange instructions.
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Where to Stay
Insurance & Campus Support
Mandatory Insurance
Yes. Bring full-stay insurance and confirm NHI/ARC obligations if your visa/status requires registration.
EHIC Accepted
No
Campus Clinic
Ask NSYSU OIA which campus or local medical route exchange students should use first.
Mental Health
Use OIA/student affairs or counseling referral routes early if heat, isolation or academics become stressful.
Campus Services
Office of International Affairs
Campus and department services
Outdoor/coastal campus life
Arrival checklist support
Student Life
Student Clubs
- international student activities
- water/outdoor clubs
- department societies
- language exchange groups
Buddy Program
Confirm current buddy/mentor options with OIA after acceptance.
Public Groups & Erasmus Communities
NSYSU Exchange Students information
Official exchange and campus life contact route.
Your First 2 Weeks
- Walk the campus-to-Sizihwan route and identify shaded routes.
- Join LINE and department groups.
- Test bus/metro/light rail links before choosing private housing.
- Prepare heat routines: water bottle, sun protection and early-day errands.
- Confirm OIA incoming exchange instructions.
- Compare Sizihwan/campus housing with central Kaohsiung options.
- Budget for AC/electricity and hot-weather routines.
- Learn MRT/light rail/bus routes before signing housing.
- Join official student/OIA channels.
- Save official contacts outside chat apps.
- Confirm where every class actually meets before choosing a weekly routine.
- Join one recurring club, language exchange or student group early instead of waiting for spontaneous plans.
Key Dates
Nomination and application
Before fall/spring intake; current cycle varies
Confirm the active NSYSU exchange timeline with OIA and your home university.
Arrival, orientation and course setup
Start of semester
Set up LINE, iPASS/EasyCard, housing commute and course backups during the first weeks.
Useful first week
Arrival and first 14 days
Confirm courses, housing, insurance, transport and official contacts before academic workload increases.
Housing and course reality check
Before final arrival plans
Confirm course campus, commute, backup courses, insurance route and housing deadline before paying non-refundable deposits.