To level up the internship experience, three students of the College of Information, Computer and Communications Technology (CICCT) were sent to Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology (STUST).
They are Ma. Thea Cabral, Leigh Ann Concon, and Bien Grenier Sasing. All of them are fourth-year Information Technology (IT) students.
They had their internship abroad from December 8, 2018 to June 22, 2019. On July 15, they visited University President Rev. Fr. Cristopher Maspara, OAR to share their experiences and what are the projects they’re assigned to.
Cabral and Concon were tasked to develop a program to run a coffee bean roaster using a web-based project connected to the blockchain which has three different sensors. Meanwhile, Sasing was assigned to enhance the program for Text Mining Artificial Intelligence which makes questionnaires for the examiners.
Sasing remarked that the student exchange program was about giving an opportunity to a student who wants to experience a different kind of internship and being able to go out of the country.
The three concurred that it was a memorable experience to stay in Taiwan. During their stay, they learned how to manage time, to be punctual, to accomplish the tasks assigned, and to cooperate since the project needs to be done as a team. They were tested how to cope up with the competitive environment.
Bien Grenier Sasing, Leigh Ann Concon, and Ma. Thea Cabral narrated their experiences and projects in Taiwan together with CICCT Chairman Jovelyn Cuizon.
The students also shared that they had to adjust with the food and how to communicate with people in Taiwan. During their first week, they can’t understand Mandarin. Moreover, many Taiwanese don’t speak in English so they used body language to communicate with them. To address this challenge, they took up a short-term course on Chinese language.
Nervous and overwhelmed at the same time, they still managed to adjust and develop their skills.
Cabral admitted that she felt nervous because they really don’t know what to do. Effective communication should be done since they struggled with the language barrier with the people around them during their early weeks. Nevertheless, Taiwanese people are good and likely to have a clean environment. These people are easy to get along with during their stay.
“Grab the opportunity. Don’t be scared. Be confident. Lastly, be optimistic of what the future holds,” said the threee when asked to give an advice to students who wanted to apply for a student exchange program overseas.
Written By Cyde P. Obrero (BA Liacom Intern)
