A #DMUglobal trip to Taiwan has inspired De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) graduate Jack Snart to head back to the country to work.
The 21-year-old said the friends he made during the visit will help him to adjust to his new life when he begins teaching English to Taiwanese individuals later this month.
Jack landed the role with the HESS Education Group after boosting his skills on a #DMUglobal course - Teaching English as a Foreign Language - ahead of graduating with a First in Psychology this summer.
He is looking forward to seeing more of Taiwan during his year-long stay and hopes to host visits from Psychology students on future #DMUglobal trips.
Jack said: "Having been there earlier this year, Taiwan was very appealing to me, and knowing people out there also made it more attractive.
"The experience also benefited me by opening my eyes to how different it is from Western life, providing a valuable experience.
"For the most part I'm excited about landing a job in Taiwan, but a tad nervous. I'm sure when I get out there and settle in, I'll be fine."
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It was an interest in human behaviour that led to Jack studying for a Psychology degree.
"I chose DMU because it was close to home and I was impressed with the facilities and course," he said.
This March, he was one of a group of 25 students who went on a faculty-led trip to Taiwan to complement a Psychology lecture series. The aim was to expose students to a culture very different from their own, to benefit their studies and even impact on their careers.
The group formed friendships with their hosts at Ming Chuang University and have kept in touch, with Jack hosting a visit from one of the Taiwanese students this summer.
Jack added that if he enjoys his experience in Taiwan, he'd like to do the same line of work in a European country such as Malta or Italy.
#DMUglobal trip lead Dr Mei-I Cheng said: "Our visit to Taiwan has opened up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to students such as Jack to experience Eastern culture and return there to work, live and travel.
"Through the #DMUglobal trip, students have demonstrated a more outward orientation and increased curiosity about other people and cultures."
DMU has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ming Chuan University as a direct result of the visit, creating further international opportunities for students.
Posted on Tuesday 22 November 2016