HUST/UTPB Summer Exchange Program A collaboration between Hsiuping University of Science & Technology (Taichung, Taiwan) and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin (Odessa, Texas)

Purpose of the Exchange:  The purpose of the HUST/UTPB Student Exchange Program is to allow students from both universities to immerse in an international culture and gain native language skills through classes offered free at the host university.

Projected Dates  Assuming there is sufficient interest in the program, the projected dates of the program will be May 31, 2105 through June 19, (Flight times may be adjusted for travel +/- one day to maintain ground itinerary).  The destination airport will be Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei, Taiwan. (TPE). The destination city is Taichung, Taiwan.  This will be a chaperoned trip with either a staff or faculty member chaperoning the student delegates. Curfews will be in effect for student safety. The HUST dormitories are locked at 12:00 p.m. midnight.  Students will depart and arrive as a group. There will be no early exits or individual travel arrangements made.  All delegates will be required to register their trip on ISOS, which guarantees treatment during a medical emergency or evacuation.  Commitment date will be March 1, 2015 with a $900 non-refundable deposit for airfare required by that date. The balance will be due on April

Itinerary: Week 1  The tentative itinerary is as follows for week 1:  Depart Sunday 5/31 and arrive 6/1 Monday. Arrive at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport greeted by a HUST staff member. Delegation will be accompanied by a HUST staff member at airport. UTPB delegation will take high speed rail with HUST faculty delegate by rail (Taiwan High Speed Rail) to Taichung City via rail (estimated 37 minutes). Delegates will taxi from rail to HUST.  6/2 Tuesday Campus tour-Visit with the President of HUST-Welcome party  6/3 Wednesday Mandarin, 12:00-3:00 Breakout sessions, 3:00-5:00 Speech (evening free)  6/4 Thursday Mandarin, 12:00-3:00 Breakout sessions, 3:00-5:00, Campus visit (evening free)  6/5 Friday Mandarin, 12:00-3:00 Breakout sessions, 3:00-5:00, Taiwanese culture class (evening free)  6/6 Saturday Optional Tour Package 1: City Tour (Daja Machu Temple, Gaomei Wetland, Feng Chia night market) U.S. $56.70  6/7 Sunday Optional Tour Package 2: Lugang Temple and Seafood Tour (ferry + cable car) U.S. $61.70

Itinerary Week 2  6/8 Monday 10:00-12:00 Mandarin, 12:00-3:00 Breakout sessions, 3:00-5:00 Campus visit, (evening free)  6/9 Tuesday 10:00-12:00 Mandarin, 12:00-3:00 Break out sessions, 3:00-5:00, Taiwanese culture class (evening free)  6/10 Wednesday 10:00-12:00 Mandarin, 12:00-3:00 Breakout sessions, 3:00-5:00 Speech (evening free)  6/11 Thursday 10:00-12:00 Mandarin, 12:00-3:00 Breakout sessions, 3:00-5:00 Campus visit (evening free)  6/12 Friday 10;00-12:00 Mandarin, 12:00-3:00 Breakout sessions, 3:00-5:00 Taiwanese culture, Campus visit (evening free)  6/13 Saturday Optional Tour Package 3: Dongfeng Bikeway + National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts U.S. $61.70  6/14 Sunday Optional Tour Package 4: Sun Moon Lake (ferry + cable car) U.S. $61.70

Itinerary Week 3  6/15 Monday 10:00-12:00 Mandarin, 12:00-3:00 Break out sessions, 3:00-5:00 Campus visit (evening free)  6/16 Tuesday 10:00-3:00 Mandarin, 12:00-3:00 Break out sessions, 3:00-5:00 Taiwanese culture (evening free)  6/17 Wednesday 10:00-3:00 (Open) 3:00-5:00 Taiwanese culture (evening free)  6/18 Thursday Farewell Party  6/19 Departure (Back to the U.S.A.!!!)

Travel Considerations/Costs  All students must have a valid U.S. passport with at least 6 months remaining on passport prior to departure date. The Taiwanese government gives American citizens a 30 day VISA waiver if visitors come for purposes of tourism. If you do NOT have a U.S. passport with at least 180 days remaining at time of departure (May 31, 2015), you can renew an old passport or acquire a new one by going to 6SjWD-LLC-ScrA_T2Ce-IwQCieU8oaAtVq8P8HAQ or by visiting or calling the Midland Airport U.S. Post Office (10,000 Loop 40) at Appointments must be made in advance. 6SjWD-LLC-ScrA_T2Ce-IwQCieU8oaAtVq8P8HAQ  All students will be required to register their trip on the UTPB ISOS website.  Airline costs: Will be projected to be between $1700-$2100. A non-refundable deposit for $900 will be due to the Study Abroad office (MB2100) made payable to “UTPB” March 2, When you bring your deposit, you must include: a) A copy of your driver’s license or some other form of official identification with that includes your legal name and DOB. b) Proof that you have registered your trip on ISOS: success/career-services/study-abroad/insurance-process-for-study-abroad. See option 3 on this link. At this time UTPB has not issued any payment for ISOS premiums required by students. success/career- c) A completed student travel packet (can be picked up in the VPSS office (MB 4274). Ask for Jennifer Chavarria. Flights will be booked through the UTPB travel office on March 6, 2015 using the lowest price economy based ticket. The balance of the ticket will be due to the UTPB study abroad coordinator (MB 2100) on April 15,  Taiwan High Speed Rail (to/from Taichung City to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) $19.70 x 2 = $39.40  Taxi fare from rail to/from HUST (approximately $24.70 RT will be less if fare is shared)  Conversion rate: $31.5 TWD to $1 USD  Housing: All delegates will be required to stay in HUST dormitories. Bring sleeping bag, pillows or linens and blankets. Payment is due upon arrival in local currency (New Taiwan Dollar). Pricing is as follows:  Room for two $35/week includes bathroom/shower.  Room for four $20.83/week (must use communal shower/bathroom)  Room for five** $20.83/week (must use communal shower/bathroom)  All housing costs must be paid to HUST upon arrival. (Rooms for five are located on the 4 th & fifth floors and have been recently furnished with new furniture)  Food costs: There is no meal plan on campus. Students usually spend $2-$3 per meal.  Students should bring extra money for shopping, incidentals or tour packages (optional).

Housing…air conditioned bunk bed style with built in chest of drawers

Pictures courtesy of Dian Jordan, UTPB Social Science Professor who went on the trip last year: 

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