Orediggers strengthen Montana-Taiwan relationship in 2-week exchange

Montana Technological University students say they learned about culture, language, semiconductor technology, and international relations during a trip to Minghsin University of Science and Technology (MUST) in Taiwan over winter break.

The trip followed a November 2023 visit by Governor Greg Gianforte to MUST, which included a roundtable discussion on the importance of relationships and trade between Montana and Taiwan.

“Semiconductor machinery is our second largest export to Taiwan, totaling $30 million in sales last year,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Through Montana Tech’s strategic partnership with Minghsin University of Science and Technology, we’ll build a stronger Montana workforce, boost our semiconductor industry, and further strengthen our ties with Taiwan.”

The governor also highlighted the agreement between MUST and Montana Tech to conduct short-term exchanges during his visit.

Freshman mechanical engineering student Aurora Beplate, from Spokane, Washington, said she was skeptical when she first saw advertisements for the trip.

“The price tag looked too good to be true,” Beplate said. “But it was very affordable. The University that we partnered with in Taiwan was generous.”

While the effort to keep costs down meant taking some bargain flights at odd hours, Beplate says she “would do it 10x over to go on this trip again.”

Beplate enjoyed classes in the Mandarin language and international business that were offered. However, the most impactful parts of the trip were witnessed outside the classroom.

“It was truly fascinating to see the different perspectives from our two countries,” Beplate said. “Everything in Taiwan is so much more advanced from my perspective, at least from an engineering viewpoint. Almost every bathroom had a bidet. There were screens on every wall. There were cool random tech areas for people to enjoy. It felt like I was in the future.”

Beplate says learning to look at the world from a different point of view is critical to her future as an engineer.

“You are learning from a global rather than a U.S. perspective on technology,” Beplate said. “The trip only gave me a glimpse of Taiwan and the semiconductor industry, but exchanges like this can inspire future engineers to think globally to help bring about the betterment of everyone.” 

Caitlin Kyseth, a mining engineering freshman from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and David Long, a mining engineering freshman from Wenatchee, Washington, said they enjoyed forming bonds with students from MUST, who took them on several adventures. The students from MUST hailed not only from Taiwan but also from many countries in Southeast Asia and Europe. They went to night markets, tried Taiwanese foods like hot pot and stinky tofu, and visited historic tea houses. Montana Tech’s students also explored the DisneySea resort during a layover in Japan.

“Coming back to America, everyone seems so loud now,” Long observed.

Kyseth said the trip broadened her horizons.

“It was fun. I would do it again if possible,” Kyseth said. “I would love to go abroad more. If I ever got offered a job in Australia, I’d happily go.”

Cynthia Wier, a business and information technology student from Colstrip said it was the trip of a lifetime that she won’t ever forget.

“Studying abroad in Taiwan made me realize how little about the world I know, and stepping foot into a foreign land for the first time is like unlocking a door to endless possibilities, where every street is a new adventure,” Wier said. “Being in Taiwan showed me new opportunities, people, and cultures. I loved waking up in the morning, enjoying a glass of warm milk tea, and heading to our host university. My favorite part of the trip was meeting other students, and even though sometimes there was a language barrier, we still tried talking with one another. It was really eye-opening to see how other countries view the world, and just communicating with each other can make long-lasting connections. I made new friends, ate delicious food, wandered around night markets and temples till my feet hurt, and even saw the ocean for the first time.”

Business Professor Dr. Lance Revenaugh and Geological Engineering Department Head Dr. Glenn Shaw had both lived abroad in Asia before and said that pleasant prior experiences made them excited to assist in leading the trip.

“For me, the original goal was for students to see new things and people that they thought they understood, but now they understand a whole lot differently,” Revenaugh said. “The purpose is to discover and to correct some misconceptions. From the students’ point of view, one of the greatest things was getting to know students at MUST who were from multiple countries, not just Taiwan.”

Shaw agreed.

“The friendships they developed with other students were most impressive,” Shaw said. “There were people really sad to see our students go, and our students were sad to leave. I’m just really proud of our students. I was really impressed with how flexible they were and how excited they were during the whole time. It was like they knew it would end so they made magic out of every moment.”

Both professors are thankful that Lance College of Mines & Engineering Dean Kenneth Lee has prioritized offering experiences abroad. Lee took the first group of students abroad to Austria in the Summer of 2023.

Shaw has other plans to travel to several nations in Asia this summer but wants to meet up with some of the colleagues he met on the trip to Taiwan. He encourages students to take advantage of opportunities to explore other countries.

“These experiences are financially feasible,” Shaw said. “Students usually don’t have a lot of resources, but these are affordable. Figure out what exchanges are going to be offered and go to one. I understand winter break or summer break is a good time. You miss half a break where you could be with family, but you gain so much.”

Beplate also encourages her classmates to contact Dean Lee and find out what opportunities are available.

“I think Montana Tech students should be encouraged to branch out and explore new opportunities like this. I was scared, especially because of the price tag, but there are always resources, and there is always help out there, especially with how close our community is,” Beplate said. “Take risks and opportunities. It’s worth it.”