KENNESAW, Ga. | Oct 2, 2025

For five weeks this summer, 16 Kennesaw State students from the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SPCEET) traded their Marietta classrooms for the bustling metropolis of Taipei, Taiwan.

Guided by Jeffrey Yiin, clinical professor of electrical engineering and computer engineering, the group immersed themselves in one of the world’s most influential technology hubs while experiencing Taiwan’s culture and daily life.

The tour was part of a program based at Taipei’s National Taiwan University. Yiin taught two courses, a one-credit engineering ethics class and a special topics course he designed for the trip that guided students through the technology stack from circuit design and semiconductor fabrication to hardware systems.

“This experience was more than I could have expected,” Yiin said. “Students not only learned about engineering in the classroom but also saw it applied in real companies. They asked questions directly to engineers and CEOs, and I believe it opened their eyes to new career possibilities.”

The trip aligned with Computex, one of the world’s largest technology trade shows. Students attended keynotes from global leaders and walked the exhibition floor, where they could see the latest advances in artificial intelligence hardware and data center systems.

“Students rarely have the chance to learn in the classroom and immediately see the industry side,” Yiin said. “They really embraced it.”

Computer engineering student Mason Valles called the experience “high octane.” It was his first major trade show and his first time navigating conversations with executives across the industry.

“You would talk to people who are the CEOs of tech startups and hear how they got funding and built their teams,” Valles said. “Then you would meet leaders from multibillion-dollar companies and hear how they see the future. It was a very eye-opening experience.”

The daily life in Taipei made an impact, too. Students grabbed breakfast at neighborhood convenience stores on the way to morning classes, learned basic Mandarin in afternoon language sessions, and explored the city together in the evenings. They navigated the subway, sampled street food at night markets, and compared notes on what they were learning.

Cultural experiences framed the academic work. The group attended the Dragon Boat Festival, toured the National Palace Museum, and capped the program with several days on the offshore island of Penghu.

“None of the students had been to Taiwan before, but they quickly discovered the hospitality, the food, and the ease of getting around,” Yiin said. “They bonded with each other and connected with locals.”

The program ran from May 19 through June 23 and drew students from across class years, from first-year students to graduating seniors. It was Yiin’s first time leading a KSU program in Taiwan, developed with support from the University’s Global Education program.

“I learned as much as the students did,” he said. “Seeing my home country through their eyes made me realize how international Taiwan has become. This was one of the best experiences I have had as a professor.”

SPCEET Dean Lawrence Whitman praised the program for giving students both technical depth and a global perspective.

“This study abroad experience provides the complete package – how engineers work, live, and learn in a different culture,” Whitman said. “Our students learned directly from world leaders in the semiconductor and computing industries, while also gaining cultural awareness and global confidence. These skills will serve them well as they become the next generation of leaders and innovators.”

– Story by Raynard Churchwell

Photo submitted

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.