Taiwan Study Abroad, Providence University - Summer Session 1, 2027
Opening Borders through Education
Cerritos College is excited to collaborate with Providence University in Taichung City, Taiwan to offer a 3-week Cultural immersion & credit program.
Program Highlights:
- POLS 210 International Relations: 3-credit degree applicable and transferrable course
- Introductory Mandarin Lessons
- Immersive Cultural and Education experiences that introduce American Students to local Taiwanese students for collaborative learning
- On-campus housing, meals, and in-country transportation
View the Taiwan Summer 2027 Program details
This program has very limited seats (16 max). Once all seats are filled, we will open a waitlist.
Application Requirements:
- Application, including personal statement
- Proof of full time enrollment (12 units) at Cerritos College either Fall 2026, Spring 2027, or fall 2028
- 2.0 GPA minimum
- Cerritos College staff/faculty recommendation
Contact the Study Abroad Office, if you prefer to complete a paper form.
PRIORITY APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 26, 2027
PROGRAM FEE: $700 must be received to guarantee your spot
Learn more about our scheduled information sessions.
Participating students must enroll in Political Science 210: International Relations. This course will be offered during summer 2027 Session 1 (05/24 - 07/02/2027).
- Class begins May 24, 2027 in the U.S. (synchronous/Zoom)
- Instruction continues June 2 to June 25, 2027 in-person in Taiwan with added Mandarin language and culture experiences.
- Student return to the U.S. June 28 to July 2, finish coursework (synchronous/Zoom)
POL 210: International Relations (3 units)
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
Fulfills Cal-GETC -- Area 4: Social & Behavioral Sciences
Pre-requisites: NONE
Instructor: Professor Sunday Obazuaye, View the faculty bios to learn more
Course Description: International Relations is the study of interactions among the various actors that participate in international politics, including states, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, sub-national entities like bureaucracies and local governments, and individuals. It is the study of the behaviors of these actors as they participate individually and together in international political processes.
This very low cost study abroad experience is a robust immersive learning and cultural experience -- this is not a traditional study abroad experience. As such, time commitment and expectations are greater than a typical study abroad experience.
Participation in all required program activities is a condition of enrollment in the Taiwan Study Abroad Program. Students are expected to attend and actively engage in all scheduled Mandarin language instruction, cultural activities, excursions, orientations, and program meetings.
The Taiwan Study Abroad Program includes 36 hours of required Mandarin language instruction, conducted Monday through Thursday for three hours per day over three weeks.
- POL 210 (3-unit course): this course is graded and will appear on your transcript. Participation in the full 6-week course is required
- Mandarin Lessons: 3.5 hours of language instruction, Monday - Thursday are required. These lessons will prepare Cerritos students for the cultural activities with local Taiwanese Students.
- Cultural Activities & Field Experiences: Each week, lessons will prepare students to communicate with local Taiwanese students, eventually co-leading a cultural exchange activity in the local community, at a Taiwanese elementary/middle school.
Note: Excessive absences or disengagement for any of the above requirements may result in early removal from the program at student's own expense.
Any Cerritos College student that meets the requirements below can apply to participate in the Taiwan Study Abroad program. Application will be reviewed and may require a brief 15 minutes interview:
- Provide unofficial copies of transcripts, showing minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Submit a personal statement (use of AI is not permitted)
- 18 years of age or older by May 24, 2027
- must enroll in POL 210 during summer 2027, session 1
- Full-time student at Cerritos college during Spring 2027 or incoming full-time student for Fall 2028.
- Recommendation of a Cerritos College staff or faculty.
| Expenses | Estimated Fees |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $138* |
| Enrollment Fees | $31 |
| Study Abroad Program Fee | $700 |
| Airline tickets (roundtrip estimate) | $1,700 |
| Estimated Total Cost | $2,569 |
*Non-resident students pay an additional $397 per unit making the cost of a 3-unit course $1,329.
We are able to keep the cost for this Study Abroad Program Fee exceptionally low thanks to a grant from the Taiwanese Ministry of Education secured by Providence University.
Providence University collects $300 of the total $700 to offset expenses for hosting Cerritos College Students. The remaining payment is used to cover participant medical insurance, operational, staffing, marketing, and travel expenses for Cerritos College.
The Study Abroad Program Fee is $700.
We are able to keep the cost for this Study Abroad Program Fee exceptionally low thanks to a grant from the Taiwanese Ministry of Education secured by Providence University. The program fee will cover:
- Mandarin language lessons
- Class space for instruction
- Accommodation: shared double or triple-occupancy Providence University campus dorm room with shared restroom
- Meals or stipends for meals on travel days (3 per day for duration of program)
- Pre-departure and In-Country Orientation
- Providence University staff support, including 24/7 emergency contact
- One-time in-country transportation to and from arrival/departure airports, timed to meet the group flight on the scheduled arrival date
- Transportation to planned activities and excursions
- Cultural Activities including walking tours and museums
- Medical/Travel insurance
- On-site Graduate Resident Assistant
Providence University collects $300 of the total $700 to offset expenses for hosting Cerritos College Students. The remaining payment is used to cover participant medical insurance, operational, staffing, marketing, and travel expenses for Cerritos College.
It is important to note that you will need to pay for the following separately and in addition to the $700 program fee:
- Round-trip airfare
- Passport or visa fees, if applicable
- Personal expenses
- Tuition & Fees for enrolling in Cerritos College classes (CCPG/BOG waivers apply)
- Textbooks or other class supplies
Priority Application Deadline: Thursday, February 26, 2026
Application Fee: $700 must be received to guarantee your spot, first paid, first served.
Student must complete the Taiwan Study Abroad Program Application and pay the $700 program fee. Additional Instructions will be provided during information sessions and to those who submit an application.
Tuition, fees, and flight will be paid separately (refer to above: What is NOT included in the program fee?).
Student withdraws before February 26, 2027:
All fees paid will be refunded
Student withdraws after February 26, 2027, but before April 29, 2027:
All fees paid, less $100 fee
After April 29, 2027:
No refund, and the total program fee is due.
Student who currently receive services or accomodations from Student Accessibility Services (SAS) may inquire about accomodations in Taiwan. Cerritos College will advocate for your needs to make participation in this program as feasible as possible.
However, we cannot guarantee the same standard of compliance in Taiwan, as foreign countries are not held to the same accessibility standards as US institutions.
Sample Program Itinerary
Time
9:15 -11:25 am
12 pm - 1 pm
1 pm - 4 pm
Mon. 6/8
POL 220 Instruction
Welcome Banquet
Mandarin: Meet Friends
Tues. 6/9
POL 220 Instruction
Lunch Break
Mandarin
Wed. 6/10
POL 220 Instruction
Lunch Break
Mandarin lesson & visit DaJia Temple DIY Taro Pastry
Time
9:15 -11:25 am
12 pm - 1 pm
1 pm - 4 pm
Thurs. 6/11
POL 220 Instruction
Lunch Break
Mandarin
Fri. 6/12
Free Time
Lunch Break
Mandarin
Sat. 6/13
Free Day
Sun. 6/14
Free Day
Time
9:15 -11:25 am
12 pm - 1 pm
1 pm - 4 pm
Mon. 6/15
POL 220 Instruction
Lunch Break
Mandarin
Tues. 6/16
POL 220 Instruction
Lunch Break
Mandarin & Field trip - Lukang Towan Tour
Wed. 6/17
POL 220 Instruction
Lunch Break
Mandarin
Time
9:15 -11:25 am
12 pm - 1 pm
1 pm - 4 pm
Thurs. 6/18
POL 220 Instruction
Lunch Break
High School Cultural Exchange
Fri. 6/19
Field Trip: Sun Moon Lake
Sat. 6/20
Free Day
Sun. 6/21
Free Day
Time
9 am - 11:25 pm
12 pm - 1 pm
1 pm - 4 pm
Mon. 6/22
POL 220 Instruction
Lunch break
Mandarin
Tues. 6/23
POL 220 Instruction
Lunch break
Mandarin
Wed. 6/24
POL 220 Instruction
Lunch break
Mandarin
Time
9 am - 11:25 pm
12 pm - 1 pm
1 pm - 4 pm
Thurs. 6/25
POL 220 Instruction
Lunch break
Mandarin
Fri. 6/26
Free Time
Lunch break
Final Report
Sat. 6/27
Depart Taiwan