Language Study in Taiwan

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National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), a top-ranked comprehensive university based in Hsinchu, offers scholarships to students from select universities (including Duke) to study Chinese language in Taiwan. The scholarship program, titled the Huayu Bilingual Exchange of Selected Talents—or simply Huayu BEST—provides opportunities for students to enhance their language proficiency and cultural understanding by attending 15 hours of formal language classes at NTHU each week while also participating in up to 5 hours of weekly service-learning and project-based language-learning activities, such as teaching English to local youths. 

Eligible students can apply for funding to cover study for the program duration. Scholarships will be awarded in the form of monthly stipends of NT$28,000 (appx. $900 USD) that should be sufficient to cover tuition, room and board on campus, required insurance and miscellaneous fees. Duke students may also apply for an APSI Language Scholarship to help cover the cost of airfare, if needed.

New in 2026: six-week intensive track

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Together with the University of Hawai‘i, beginning in 2026, NTHU is offering an intensive track for students seeking to rapidly advance their Chinese language proficiency. The intensive track features:

• 15 hours of Mandarin course instruction per week
• 2 hours of small group practice per week
• 2 hours of one-on-one tutoring per week
• An overnight cultural trip 

Through the University of Hawai‘i, students can obtain academic credit generally equivalent to two semesters of Chinese language courses at U.S. universities.

note: for 2026, Duke students seeking to apply credit for this track to their official transcript will need to apply for new course approval or retroactive credit through Duke's Global Education Office (GEO).

Timeline

The program dates for 2026 are June 14–July 25 (fixed).

Cost

The cost for this intensive track is $5,600 for 2026. This includes tuition, accommodation, cultural activities, and excursions. 

Selected students can apply funding from the Huayu BEST scholarship—a monthly stipend of NT$28,000 (approx. $900 USD)—to this track. Duke students may also apply for an APSI Language Scholarship.

Download a program brochure >>

Program Summary

_{Tuition is shown in USD; amounts for the summer intensive program are valid for 2025 and are subject to change in 2026.}

*The Huayu BEST scholarship may be applied to this amount.

**Includes tuition, accommodation, cultural activities, and excursions.

Note:

As of fall 2024, the 12-week NTHU summer program is “Duke approved;” petitions are not needed to obtain Duke credit for the summer course. Details can be found on the GEO website.

For 2026, the 6-week intensive track (with credit provided through the University of Hawai‘i) will require course approval from Duke GEO.

Process overview

Step 1.
Confirm eligibility and read the awardee guidelines. Important: students must be enrolled at Duke to be eligible for the Huayu BEST fellowship; students graduating before the program begins are not eligible to apply. Undergrads and graduate students may apply for this program. 

Step 2.
Duke students should register their interest prior to submitting the application (link opens a Google Form). Specific program-related inquires can also be sent to best@my.nthu.edu.tw.

Step 3.
Submit the online application form by the listed deadline (all dates are subject to change; program dates may be flexible).

Step 4.
NTHU will confirm the recommendation from your home institution via the expression of interest form (linked above).