歐莉亞(104級)

The Institute of China and Asia-Pacific Studies (ICAPS) of the National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) is where graduate students can learn about international relations, politics, security and economy of Taiwan, China, and Japan and their interactions with the great powers such as the USA, and with small states such as ASEAN countries. I learnt much, not only in classrooms, conferences, public lectures and numerous university events, but also by immersion in everyday life at the historic Sizihwan bay area of Kaohsiung city. The focus of my research was countries of Southeast Asia and the Philippines, in particular. It was invaluable that Professor Samuel Ku being a senior professor specializing in Southeast Asian politics agreed to be my adviser. The close academic interaction with your dissertation adviser is key to understanding how rigid the requirements of Taiwanese institutions can be, which are usually combined with the incredible hardworking attitudes of professors and researchers. And therefore, witnessing this academic environment is incredibly inspiring and stimulating to succeed despite pressures of being a foreigner and a graduate student. The most memorable time aside from the usual academic requirements was the part-time work experience at the Center of Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) of the NSYSU during the implementation of the New Southbound Policy (NSP) that taught me the practice of ‘international relations’ of Taiwan with all its limits, complexity, and perils. The practical knowledge of the imminent Indo-Pacific Security Cooperation and Quadrilateral “Quad” Security Dialogue came not just from lectures and seminars with Professor Lin Wen-Cheng and Professor Kuo Yu-Jen, but from being included as a member of the organizing committee for the 2017 and 2018 Asia-Pacific Thinktank Summits in Taipei. I experienced unbelievable 4.5 years, 33 credits, 4 comprehensive exams, 3 published journal articles, 1 published book chapter, 10+ conference papers, and 1 successfully defended dissertation. It was a very productive stay!! 感謝，中山大學！ Aliya Peleo ICAPS PhD Class 2020