Department of Buddhist Studies (DBS) 佛教學系

Department of Buddhist Studies (DBS) 佛教學系 FoGuang University (FGU) 佛光大學, Jiaoxi礁溪, Yilan County 宜蘭, Taiwan 台灣

This section details the information and processes required to be followed before you apply or arrive at FGU, Taiwan. Before Application and Arrival在申請和到達之前

學位提供 Degrees offered in DBS, FGU • Undergraduate Degree (B.A.) in Chinese medium of instruction • Graduate Degree (M.A.) in Chinese and English media of instruction • Post-Graduate (PhD) in Chinese medium of instruction • http://buddhist.fgu.edu.tw/en/course1

申請流程 Application to DBS, FGU • Though there are two intakes through the year: Fall and Spring, students are strongly recommended to arrive in the Fall semester of each academic year. • There is NO online application. The application documents need to be mailed to the Office of International Affairs at FGU. • You will receive a reply within two months of the application deadline. • You can also check for your admission status on this link. Office of Internation Affairs, Room Number 305, Yunqi Lou Building, FoGuang UniversityNo.160, Linwei Rd., Jiaosi , Yilan County 26247, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

教學語言 Medium of Instruction • The medium of instruction is English and the administrative work is translated into English as much as possible but there is no guarantee for a 100% English-speaking environment. • Rather, the emphasis is to provide a natural environment to improve one’s Chinese language skills. • The Master’s courses are taught bilingually in English and/or Chinese and if you possess basic Chinese language skills, it will help you adapt better. • There is a resource person to teach Buddhist Chinese to the students of the MA English-track as part of required coursework. • There are students who arrive with NO Chinese-speaking ability and do just fine.

漢語技能 Chinese Language Skills • It is advisable that you know basic levels of Chinese in order that your transition and stay be comfortable. • Alternatively, you could enroll for a year-long Chinese language program at FGU and apply for the corresponding Chinese language scholarship programme. • After this, you can enroll for the MA programme. • In order to pursue research in Chinese Buddhism, traditional Chinese is necessary for reading canonical texts and making translations as part of your study/coursework and submissions. • This is a necessary part of your coursework for MA in Buddhism. • In order to access modern scholarship, simplified Chinese language is sufficient.

宿舍 Dormitory • If you wish to avail of the department scholarship, you must reside in the dormitory and complete the shared tasks. • Shared tasks include: • Cooking duties: 1.5 hours/once a week • Serving duties: 1.5 hours/once a week • Cleaning duties: 1 hour (approx.)/ a five-day week, once bi-monthly • Shrine Hall duties: 2 hours/one week per semester • Dining Hall Cleaning: 2.5 hours/one day per semester • Kitchen Cleaning: 2.5 hours/one day per semester • Patrol duty: 0.5 hour/one week per school term or year • Semester-end/beginning Cleaning: 2.5 hours/one day per school year • When you register as a student of DBS, you will need to enroll for the dormitory as well. ** This is an indicative and not exhaustive list. The list may change from time to time. ** The process mentioned here is for the female dormitory. There is a similar schedule for the male dormitory.

宿舍 Dormitory Off-duty Days • The dormitory and associated perks and works will be off for three weeks every semester: • The first week when everyone is settling in. • The mid-term exam week when everyone is going crazy with studies and submission. • The end-term exam week when it is a repeat of craziness of mid-term exam week. • There may be an additional week of cleaning, packing up and moving dorm rooms. • During these days, there will be a temporary halt on dorm food and dorm duties. • You will need to provide for your own food during these (minimum) three weeks. • There may be additional public holidays or weeks of fun and departmental activities during which the chores and prayer services are halted.

This section details the information about expenses and scholarships before you apply or arrive at FGU, Taiwan. Scholarship and expenses獎學金和費用

台灣政府獎學金 Taiwan Government Scholarship • The Taiwan Ministry of Education provides different types of scholarship for foreign studies studying in Taiwan. • Please view this link for details on the differences in the two scholarships. • For details on the MOFA scholarship, click on the hyperlink. • For details on the MOE scholarship, click on the hyperlink. • Other scholarships: • For details on the ICDF scholarship, click on the hyperlink. • For details on the TAFS scholarship, click on the hyperlink. • There are other cash prizes awarded by DBS as well as other Buddhist institutions in Taiwan; please check with the department after you enroll for the program at DBS. • Note: You CANNOT apply for the Taiwan Government Scholarship AFTER you enroll for or, while you pursue your degree program.

台灣政府獎學金 (附加信息) Taiwan Government Scholarship – Additional Information • Please note- In case you are applying for the undergraduate degree in Chinese medium of instruction, you will have to produce a Chinese proficiency certificate called TOCFL – level 3 or above, for your Taiwan Scholarship application. • Additionally, the Taiwan government funds Chinese language education. • The maximum number of years you can avail of the Taiwan government scholarship is a total of five years. • In case you choose to do a year of Chinese language study, then your B.A./M.A./PhD. studies will be funded for the remainder of the time i.e. four years only.

部門獎學金 FGUniversity-DepartmentBS Scholarship • The DBS scholarship is a set amount of NTD 50000 per semester for a maximum of two years/four semesters, that covers full tuition and partial costs of room and boarding. It is only paid to students who reside in the department's dormitory and undertake shared chores. • The DBS scholarship is available to all students of Buddhist Studies who stay in the dormitory with shared accommodation and complete the shared chores. • The mode of scholarship is by reimbursementAFTER a minimum of two months (9-11 weeks) from the date of payment of fees each semester. • The scholarship is applicable ONLY for a period of TWO years of study. • Additional years required to complete requisite course credits are under chargeable tuition fees and dorm fees without the scholarship cover. • The DBS scholarship does NOT provide a stipend to cover your living costs. • Your DBS scholarship gets credited after your mid-term exams, which is roughly nine to eleven weeks after payment of school fees. • You will need to factor in your living costs during this period.

台灣政府每學期一等獎學金 Taiwan Government Scholarship for First Rank in Each Semester • The Taiwan Government awards a NTD 5000 prize to the students who secure first rank in each semester. While you are automatically qualified if you stand first in your batch in a semester, you need to submit the documents in time to the admin in the office to receive the prize. • This will be announced on the official communication media. • Please print the Chinese version of the transcript since it has the rank on it. • Present a copy of your ARC and TCB Bank passbook along with the original transcript. • For instructions on how to print a transcript, refer slide on “Transcripts”.

佛教學系宋秀喜慈愛獎學金 FGU-DBS Song Xiu-xi Scholarship • The deadline for the scholarship of NTD 20000 is September-end each year. • The students need to apply for the scholarship using the application form downloadable from the website, and submit it along with the transcript for the previous semesters and a written report or research paper. • Please print the Chinese version of the transcript since it has the rank on it. • Application Form • Transcript • Written Paper • For instructions on how to print a transcript, refer slide on “Transcripts”.

额外生活费 - DBS宿舍外 Additional Living Expenses – Outside DBS Dormitory • If you choose to live outside the DBS dormitory, you are ineligible for the DBS scholarship of NTD 50000 per semester for a maximum of two years/ four semesters. • You cannot stay or eat in the dormitory either, if you live outside of the DBS dorms. • You can opt to stay in the Boys/Girls Hostel within campus if they have vacancies. • You can rent an apartment in Yilan or Jiaoxi and commute to FGU by the school bus or Yilan Housing bus. (Each trip = NTD 20; each round-trip costs NTD 40.) • You can check for house rents and availability of rooms online. • Your total expenses for living outside DBS will include: • School fees • Health Insurance Fees • Transportations costs • Food expenses • House-rent and Utility bills • Miscellaneous expenses

额外的生活费 - 一次 Additional Living Expenses – One-time • You will have to bear the additional (one-time) expenses such as: • Alien Resident Certificate (Visa fees) – NTD 1000 • Compulsory Health Check-up – NTD 1000 • Compulsory Medical Insurance – NTD 3000/3500 • Bank Account – NTD 1000 • Student Association Charges – NTD 800 • Mattress – NTD 2300 • Black robe (Haijing) – NTD 300 • DBS Tee-shirts (optional), table lamp, hair-dryers, hangers • The mattress is a one-time compulsory purchase which will cost you NTD 2300. • The DBS tee-shirts are an optionalpurchase, costing NTD 250 each.

额外的生活费 - 一次 Additional Living Expenses – One-time • You will also need to buy/bring a table lamp and hair-dryer (110V). • Please carry your own personal essentials for everyday use: clothes, shoes/slippers, winter clothing, toiletries, medications, etc. • It is advisable to bring your own packaged (comfort) food or ready-to-eat snacks for the length of your stay (18 weekends plus minimum 20 weekdays) every semester. • You may need to buy a dehumidifier for personal use throughout the year. • It may cost you approximately NTD2500. • During winter months, you may need a personal heater for your own use. • It may cost you approximately NTD2500.

额外的生活费 - 经常性 Additional Living Expenses – Recurring • Mobile & Stationery: You will have a monthly/quarterly or periodic recharge expense for your Mobile Phone Plan (optional), transport & stationery. • You can refill the balance amount in your travel card and recharge your mobile from any convenience store. • Prints: You can purchase a Printing Card for NTD 500 to print/photocopy 800 pages from the University admin building. (This charge may change since this PPT is dated.) • Please put a sticker or write your name on it. • If you intend to stay for a longer duration (more than two years) and plan to take up a many electives/courses, you could consider buying your own printer. • Many students are also environmentally conscious and hence, prefer to read on their own devices.

额外的生活费 - 经常性 Additional Living Expenses – Recurring • The FGU Travel card (i-pass) itself will cost you NTD 100. You have to add money in order to use it. • You can refill the balance amount in your travel card and recharge your mobile from any convenience store. • You can also buy an Easy Student Travel Card at all MRT stations or convenience stores for NTD 100 and register online using your ARC and Student ID card details and upload scanned images to avail of student discount on your travel. • The Easy Card cannot be used on the school bus so either use cash (NTD 20) or buy the FGU Travel Card. • In order to enjoy discounted travel between Taipei and Jiaoxi, purchase tickets in sets of ten or more. These tickets come at approximately 10% discounted fares. They can be validated at the respective counters before your travel. • The service providers are Kamalan and Shoudu (Capital Star) at Jiaoxi transfer station.

额外的生活费 - 经常性 Additional Living Expenses – Recurring • You will need to buy tissue paper for your own use in the dormitory. • The public restrooms have tissue rolls but the dormitory finds it unsustainable to provide toilets with tissue papers for hordes of students. • Therefore, the toilets in the residential areas do not have tissue paper and the students are expected to buy their own in bulk from the stores. • Students are expected to have a stock of their own basic toiletries. • Toothbrush, toothpaste, combs & hairbrushes, soaps, face-wash, shampoo, hairdryer, towel, napkins, tissue paper, mirror, make-up, etc. • You may need to buy tea, coffee, soft drinks, fruits and snacks for your daily or weekly consumption as per your needs. • You cannot store food in the common refrigerator so buy perishable foods with some planning and caution. • Use rubber-bands or aroma-sealers after opening packets of food (to prevent them from going bad) that cannot be sealed as it is very humid and moist in this region.

额外的生活费 - 经常性 Additional Living Expenses – Recurring • Laundry: You can avail of the washing machine and dryer in the laundry room for NTD 20 per wash load of 30 minutes and NTD 10 per dryer load of 30 minutes. (Please bring your own laundry bag for storage and use.) • You cannot alter the wash cycle setting of the washing machine. You need to buy your own washing detergent. • You can set the dryer to low, medium or, high and increase dryer time by adding another cycle of 30 minutes for an additional NTD 10. • You need to purchase your own dryer sheets if you use them. • In order to maintain decorum, there are laundry tags (for using the washer and dryer) which needs to be placed on your laundry pile in case there’s a queue to use the facilities. • Often, students leave the laundry pile with the tags, washing detergent and/or drying sheets, plus the money (minimum 3 * NTD 10 in coins) so that if someone is done washing or drying, that person may help to put the clothes next in queue into the washer or dryer or finally, into your laundry bag.

额外的生活费 - 周末 Additional Living Expenses – Weekends • You will also have to provide for your own meals every Saturday and Sunday. • Each meal may cost you approximately NTD 60-100. • Each tripfor the shortest distance of commute will be NTD 20. • Each round-trip for the shortest distance of commute will be minimum NTD 40. The further you travel, the more it will cost. • You could buy a Taiwan Public Transport “Easy Student Travel Card” at any Taiwan MRT station or convenience store and upload details online for applicable student discounts. • You can buy an i-pass/FGU travel card within the school or convenience store. • You can get student discounts after registration of the i-pass card.

额外的生活费 - 假期 Additional Living Expenses – Vacations • In case you do not travel back to your home-Country during the vacations, you will have to look for alternate accommodation during the summer and winter vacations as all students have to vacate the dormitories during vacations. • This may cost you approximately NTD 800/per week to live in the girls’/boys’ dorm on campus. • You can also find accommodation in the areas near the University. • You can find unpaid or paid volunteer work at FoGuang Shan Monastery by checking with the Dorm/House Master. • Belongings are to be packed and placed neatly: • During Winter vacations, you can store your neatly-packed belongings in the dorm rooms. • During Summer vacations, international students can store their luggage (2 suitcases & 3 cartons) in the basement. Put your name and piece # on the luggage. • For best practice, please use vacuum storage bags; you can bring them along or purchase them in Taiwan. It may approximately cost NTD 200 for a set of three vacuum bags. • If you order foodstuff, always retain the cartons for packing your stuff.

This section details the information and processes required to be followed before you apply for your Taiwanese Visa. Applying for Taiwan VISA: resident foreign student申请台湾签证：外国留学生

在本国获得录取，奖学金和签证的教育文件 Educational Documents in Home Country for Admit, Scholarship & Visa • The Educational Documents require to be: • (i) verified by your University (verified stamp by your university), • (ii) notarized (stamped by a gazette officer), • (iii) stamped by your Country’s State Government’s Education Department and • (iv) stamped by your Country’s State Government’s Home Department, • (v) Finally, these need to be stamped by your Country’s Government’s Ministry of External Affairs. • (ALLsteps are required.) • Finally, these “Educational documents” need to be authenticated by the Taiwanese Embassy Officials (TEO). • This means that TEO verify your educational documents and attach a document on govt. letterhead stating the authenticity of the educational documents. • You will need to follow this procedure of authenticating your educational documents when: • (i) you apply to any university for admissions, • (ii) you applyfor the Taiwan government scholarship and • (iii) you applyfor the Taiwan Resident Foreign Student Visa.

在本国进行居民签证健康检查 Health Check-up in Home Country for Resident Visa • You will need to complete a health check-up according to the “Health Check-up Form” in your Country beforeapplying for the Taiwanese Visa. • Please check the Taiwan Embassy site in your Country for the latest version of the health check-up form. • This “Health Check-up Form” needs to be accompanied with original reports and the appropriate authorities signing the “Health Check-up Form”. • This “Health Check-up Form” further needs to be notarized and verified by the Government officials of your Country. • (i) notarized (stamped by a gazette officer), • (ii) certified by your Country’s State Government’s Home Department (check for the stamp as a guarantee of contents within the document) and • (iii) stamped by your Country’s Government’s Ministry of External Affairs. • (ALLsteps are required.) • Finally, this “Health Check-up Form” needs to be authenticated by the Taiwanese Embassy Officials. • This means that TEO verify your form and attach a document on govt. letterhead stating the authenticity of the Health Check-up Form. ** The process mentioned here is for Indian applicants. Please check with the Taiwan Embassy in your Country for exact details.

台湾使馆官员认证文件的步骤 Steps for Authentication of Documents by Taiwanese Embassy Officials • The Educational Documents require to be (i) verified by your University, (ii) notarized (stamped by a gazette officer), (iii) stamped by your Country’s State Government’s Education Department and (iv) stamped by your Country’s State Government’s Home Department, then (v) stamped by your Country’s Government’s Ministry of External Affairs. (ALLsteps are required.) • Finally, these verified “Educational documents” need to be authenticated by the Taiwanese Embassy Officials (TEO). • This means that TEO verify your educational documents and attach a document on govt. letterhead stating the authenticity of the educational documents. • The Health Check-up Form needs to be (i) notarized (stamped by a gazette officer), (ii) certified by the Country’s State Government’s Home Department and (iii) the Country’s Government’s Ministry of External Affairs. (ALL steps are required.) • Finally, this “Health Check-up Form” needs to be authenticated by the Taiwanese Embassy Officials. • This means that TEO verify your form and attach a document on govt. letterhead stating the authenticity of the Health Check-up Form. • Please note – There are several agents who provide personalized service for notarization and different governmental stamping as well as authentication of health and educational documents in the Taiwanese Embassy. ** The process mentioned here is for Indian applicants. Please check with the Taiwan Embassy in your Country for exact details.

签证财务报表 Financial Statement for Visa only • You will need a bank statement showing the available balance of USD 6000 in your current or savings account for the last three-six months. • Please check with the Taiwan Embassy in your Country for exact details. • This financial statement needs to be on the Bank letterhead and stamped plus signed by the bank official. • This document need NOT be verified and/or authenticated. ** The process mentioned here is for Indian applicants. Please check with the Taiwan Embassy in your Country for exact details.

** The process mentioned here is for Indian applicants. Please check with the Taiwan Embassy in your Country for exact details. 居民签证 - 外国学生 Resident Visa – Foreign Student • Please visit the Taiwan Embassy in your Country for exact details: Call and check which Regional Centre (in case of multiple centres) grants the resident visas for foreign students. • You need to apply for a Resident Visa (Foreign Student)so that you can subsequently apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) within 15 days of your arrival in Taiwan (NOT 15 days from the date of issue of visa). • You will need to fill up an online form and visit the Embassy in person before the due date mentioned on your Visa application form. • Please ensure that your educational documents and the Health Check-up Form are authenticated by the Taiwanese Embassy before you apply for the Visa. • Take the documents (i) Visa form, (ii) Study Plan, (iii) Transcripts, (iv) University’s Offer/Admit Letter, (v) Financial Statement, (vi) authenticated Educational documents, (vii) authenticated Health Certificate and (viii) two photos. Pay the requisite visa processing fees at the designated bank and retain the bank deposit slip. • You need to show the bank deposit slip to submit the visa application. It is advisable to take a snapshot or photocopy the submitted docs. • Please make sure you arrive within the working hours and take the token number before you are seated to wait your turn. • The Visa officer has the discretion to also interview you before granting the visa. • Please keep the “visa application deposit slip” safely before you collect your passport.

This section details the information and processes required to be followed after you receive admission, visa and arrive in Taiwan. Upon Arrival in Taiwan抵达台湾后

抵达和接待 Arrival and Reception • The name of the airport you arrive at, is: Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei (TPE) • The domestic airport is called Songshan (TSA) and there is another airport at the south (5 hours’ driving distance) called Kaoshiung (KHH). • If you provide your dates of travel to the department admin, she may try to club the ones arriving on the same day as you (incl. seniors) so that you can travel together. • You will need approximately six photos (5cmX5cm) and cash in NTD for all your initial transactions/registration. • It is advisable to carry additional four to six photos for your future use. • In all, carry 10-12 (5cmX5cm) photos for your official use. • You may need to submit a copy of your passport for various admin-related work: e.g. admission, bank, health check-up & insurance, ARC. • In all, carry 6-8 photocopies of your passport (pages: front & back cover and Taiwan visa). • You will need to photocopy the page for “date of arrival in Taiwan” locally.

货币兑换 Currency Exchange • Since most payments are cash only, please carry sufficient cash required to pay your school expenses and food for the initial two weeks. • School expenses = approximately NTD 65000 • Food (two weeks) = approximately NTD 5000 • Transportation = approximately NTD 2000 (incl. travel from airport to school) • You can exchange money at the airport and local banks. • You will need to carry your passport in order to do the same. • It is advisable to exchange currency at the airport but be alert and careful with the amount of cash on you.

台湾移动计划 - 可选 Taiwanese Mobile Plan (optional) • You can buy a 30-day/3-month prepaid card (approximately NTD 400) at the airport and keep recharging it until the end of your stay in Taiwan. • You will need to show your passport and submit your photo for the purchase. • You need minimum talk-time for emergencies and about 7-11 GB data for email and LINE messaging. • The school Wi-Fi is patchy but mostly workable. In case you need more data as per your usage, please opt for an unlimited data package. (This may be more expensive.) • You can also buy a postpaid card once you have your ARC and bank details. (This may be more expensive.) • It is advisable to own a mobile and have a mobile number in cases of emergency. • You will be required to provide your mobile number for registration, healthcare, travel card, bank, etc.

通勤：桃园机场到FGU Commute: Taoyuan Airport to FGU • You can take the Ubusfrom the Taoyuan International Airport to Jiaoxi Transfer Station costing ~NTD 200. • From here, take a FGU school bus or Yilan Housing bus (綠11); (~NTD 20) or cab (~NTD 300) uphill to FGU. • The timings for these buses are displayed near the outside-waiting area. (The waiting area on the inside are for buses leavingJiaoxi town.) • You can also take the airport bus or metro (~NTD 150) and reach Taipei Main Station (TMS); from TMS, take a bus to Jiaoxi Transfer Station (~NTD 120) and then take a bus (~NTD 20) or cab (~NTD 300) uphill to FGU. • Your travel from the airport to the school will cost you approximately NTD 500 (maximum). • Ubus will only allow two large (or check-in-sized) bags per ticket to store in the bus luggage area. If you have more bags, you will have to buy another ticket. • Smaller bags can be carried by you on your person and/or stowed under your seat or under the seat in your front.

This section details the information and processes required to be followed after you receive admission, visa and arrive at FGU, Taiwan. Upon Arrival at the school抵达学校后

繞過學校校園 Getting Around School Campus • You can walk or use the school buses to get around inside campus. • Every place on the FGU campus can be reached within 20 minutes on foot. Although, initially it may seem longer when you climb the hillside. • There is no charge for using school transport within the campus. • You need to mention the drop-point when you board the bus. You also need to press the alighting-stop button before your stop. • If you use the school buses to go out of campus, you are charged NTD 20 per one-way trip. • You can use the Yilan Housing buses for a charge of NTD 20 per one-way trip. You will be charged even if you travel a few stops within campus. • You can also use the trains (Jiaoxi/Yilan railway station) and buses (Jiaoxi/Yilan transfer station) to get around the cities and the whole Country itself. • You can find the bus schedules related to the school and township in this link. • You can find the Taiwan railway timetables in this link.

貨幣支付 Monetary Payments • All financial transactions are carried out using local currency (TWD/NTD). • You can either deposit your school fees in cash at the Taiwan Cooperative Bank (once you have a bank account) or the University Accounts department at the main administrative building (YunQi Lou/Admin Building, not the DBS office). • Please carry currency that can be exchanged at the airport or banks in Taiwan. • You will need to present your passport when you do this. • The TCB bank does not facilitate withdrawal of TWD/NTD from international cards. • You will need to use the ATMs installed in the convenience stores for the same. • When you use local ATMs for your international credit/debit cards, you will be charged (minimum) NTD 100 per transaction by the local bank, in addition to what your international bank/card charges you. • When you use ATMs other than that of your own Taiwanese local bank (e.g. TCB) to withdraw cash from your Taiwanese bank account, you will be charged (minimum) NTD 5 per transaction. • Tip: In order to save on withdrawal fees charged by your international card, withdraw a large amount in one go. Usually, the ATMs allow to withdraw NTD 20,000 (maximum) at a time.

FGU-DBS 學生證 FGU-DBS Student ID • You will need to log in to the FGU website and register as a student on the FGU system after which you will generate a payment slip with your details. • For payment of school fees, you will have to carry one photo and the required fees in cash: NTD, and pay at the main administrative building of the university (Yunqi Lou). • From the second semester onwards, you can print the school fees invoice (generated online) and deposit the fees in the TCB bank. • You will receive your student ID within a week of your payment of the school fees and registration as a student in the school administration system. • Please carry a photocopy of your passport in case you are asked to submit it. • The student ID card also becomes your access card on campus. • If you lose the student ID, you will have to pay again in order to re-issue your student ID card. • You will need to get a stamp (on the back of the student ID) from the Student Service Centre at YunqiLou after payment of your school fees every semester.

台灣的國民健康保險和學校保險健康檢查 Health Check-up in Taiwan for National Health Insurance and School Insurance • You will visit a designated hospital in Taipei/Yilan/Luodong/Jiaoxi in order to apply for the School Insurance and National Health Insurance (NHI). • You will complete all the required tests on an empty stomach at a Taiwanese hospital. • You will pay NTD 1000 for all tests and submit a photo. • Carry your passport for identification and a photocopy of the same. • The FGU School Insurance will cost you NTD 3500 for the first year/two semesters, which you will submit along with a photo. • If you stay in Taiwan during the Winter break, it will cost you NTD 3000 only. • If you leave Taiwan during the Winter break, it will cost you NTD3500 for the additional international cover. • From the second semester onward, you will be covered under the Taiwanese National Health Insurance. • The National Health Insurance charges (subject to government regulations) will be included in your school fees. • You will need to collect your NHI card from the Medical Centre (Room #103) in main administrative building (Yunqi Lou) at the completion of your six-month stay in Taiwan. • Please make an effort proactively to stay in touch with the medical team for updating your travel dates and completion of six-month stay in Taiwan.

外國人居民證 Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) • Within 15 days of your arrival in Taiwan, you must apply for your ARC. • You will need: • An ARC application form – completed • Photo (5cm X 5cm) • Residence Proof – from DBS or your rental agreement • DBS Admit Letter • Photocopy of your passport (first and last page); carry original for verification • Photocopy of your Taiwan visa page and Entry stamp • Photocopy of your Student ID (front and back) • Photocopy of Receipt for payment of School Tuition Fees • ARC fees of NTD1000 • The Visa officials visit the school so that this process can be completed at the University premises. • Alternatively, you may have to visit the National Immigration Agency office in Luodong to complete the ARC procedure. • You will receive the ARC within two weeks (approximately; barring holidays). • Please keep the ARC card safely. • Note: in case you lose your ARC card or, forget it at any of the Airport Immigration Counters, you will have to re-apply for your Taiwanese visa.

外國人居民證ARC - 延期 ARC – Extension • Your ARC is valid for one year. • You will need: • An ARC application form – completed • Photo (5cm X 5cm) • Residence Proof – from DBS or your rental agreement • Photocopy of your passport (first and last page); carry original for verification • Photocopy of your Taiwan visa page and Entry stamp • Photocopy of your current ARC card (front and back) • Photocopy of your Student ID (front and back) • ARC fees of NTD1000 • Optional – your travel itinerary (return flight tickets) • The Visa officials visit the school so that this process can be completed at the University premises. • Alternatively, you may have to visit the National Immigration Agency office in Luodong to complete the ARC procedure. • You will receive the ARC within two weeks (approximately; barring holidays).

台灣合作銀行賬戶 Taiwan Cooperative Bank- Account • In order to process your scholarship refund, you will need to open a Bank Account with the Taiwan Cooperative Bank (TCB). • You can only open a bank account once you receive the ARC or show proof of application. • You will need to fill an application form and submit a photo, ARC copy (both sides) and cash amount of NTD 1000 (minimum balance). • There are two bank officials present on-campus (YunqiLou) on Mondays and Thursdays from 13-15:00 hours. • If you submit the form on one day (e.g.- Thursday), you will receive the bank passbook and ATM card on the following day (e.g.- Monday). • Or, you could go to the TCB bank – Jiaoxi/Yilanbranch and open the TCB Bank account. You will receive the bank passbook and ATM card immediately. • You will then submit a photocopy of the TCB Bank Passbook to the Department Admin: Cherry (grad and post-grad)/Candace (under-grad). • If you do not submit the photocopy of the TCB bank passbook after payment of school fees every semester, it will delay the DBS scholarship refund to your account.

校園設施：餐館和必需品 Facilities on-Campus: Eateries & Essentials • Yunqi Lou houses most offices including the Office of International Affairs, a departmental store, two cafes and a stationery shop. • There are two restaurants: uphill and downhill, plus a student cafeteria in the basement of the girls dorm. • There is also a departmental store in the basement of the girls dorm. • There are two cafes each at Yunqi Lou and the Main Library building. • There is an eatery and departmental store in the basement of the Psychology Building. • There is a Health Centre at Yunqi Lou(Room 103). • The Student Service centre, general admin and utilities is at YunqiLou (Room 106).

校園設施：餐館和必需品 (表格) Facilities on-Campus: Eateries & Essentials in tabular format

校內設施：郵政服務 Facilities on-Campus: Postal Service • The postal official collects any post/parcels before noon from the “out” tray in the DBS office. • You can re-use the used stationery for free and purchase new envelopes for NTD 1. • You can purchase the used cardboard boxes at discounted rates to send your parcels and alternatively, purchase new boxes at actual rates. • You need to put your documents in an envelope, seal it and write the “to & from” addresses. • You need to put the postage money in a separate envelope with your personal details (name and student ID) and leave it with your letter/parcel for pick-up.

校內設施：銀行和ATM Facilities on-Campus: Banking & ATM • There are two ATMs on the FGU campus: at Yunqi Lou/Main Admin Building and in Yunhui Lou/Psychology Building. • You can avail of Banking facilities at the ATM or on Mondays and Thursdays when the Bank officials visit campus. They are situated on the first floor at YunqiLou building. • It is more efficient to take the first morning bus to Jiaoxi and go to the bank branch in order to save the turn-around-time. • The TCB bank ATM does not facilitate withdrawal of TWD/NTD from international cards. • You will need to use the ATMs installed in the convenience stores for the same. • When you use local ATMs for your international credit/debit cards, you will be charged (minimum) NTD 100 per transaction by the local bank, in addition to what your international bank/card charges you. • When you use ATMs other than that of your own Taiwanese local bank (e.g. TCB), you will be charged (minimum) NTD 5 per transaction. • Tip: In order to save on withdrawal fees charged by your international card, withdraw a large amount in one go. Usually, the ATMs allow to withdraw NTD 20,000 (maximum) at a time. • You cannot exchange money on campus. You will have to go to the bank branch and present your passport in order to exchange foreign currency.

校內設施：圖書館 Facilities on-Campus: Library • There are two libraries that students of DBS can make use of. • The DBS Library is situated on the fifth floor of Yunshui Building; only for reference and not for borrowing books. • The Yunwu Guan/ Main Library of the university is situated in a separate building on the FGU campus. • In order to enter the Main Library, you will need your Student ID card. • Please check with the counter at the first floor of the Main Library for number of books (e.g. max. four) that can be borrowed for how many days (e.g. one month). • You can also renew your books online through the university website. • If you wish to access the network of libraries in Taiwan, you can apply for a special library card at the Main Library Building. • You will have to submit your identity card in exchange for this card. It is advisable that you deposit your driving license or any other National identification. • You can also deposit your Passport or ARC but since you cannot take it back for the duration of the special library card, it is advisable to provide another identity card. • Many students avail of this card to visit libraries in Taipei and issue books through post (postage charges extra).

兼職工作（沒有工作許可） Part-time jobs (without Work Permit) • In case you receive the Taiwan Government Scholarships, you cannot take up employment. • In case you wish to undertake part-time work during the course of your study, you can check with the DBS office for assigned work as well as the various restaurants on campus. • If you stereotypically belong to/hold a passport of English-speaking Nations, you could teach English on the side. • If not, you may need a very good referral for the same. • These jobs pay you wages on an hourly rate (~NTD 120; subject to change) in cash. • This is enough to meet your food and miscellaneous expenses in Yilan. • For other formal employment and payment of salary will need a work permit from the Taiwanese government.

台灣留學外國留學生工作許可證 Work Permit for Foreign Overseas and Ethnic Chinese Students in Taiwan • You can apply online for the Taiwanese Work Permit. • You need a copy of the below documents in pdf format: • Student ID (front and back) • Passport Photocopy (first and last page, Taiwan visa stamp page and page with dates of entry/exit) • ARC (front and back) • You click on the Workforce Development Agency link, create an account on the site, and then again login to create an application. • Once you complete filling in the required details, save the form and choose the option of payment. • It is preferable to choose “ATM” since you can make the payment within 24 hours at any ATM machine. • Alternately, after choosing this option, you could pay via your mobile phone. • The processing fees for work permit application is NTD 100. • You will receive an intimation and confirmation on your registered email id updating you about your application status. • Your Work Permit is valid for a maximum period of six months after which you may have to renew or re-apply. • Your Work Permit will be mailed to your University address. • The Government makes the tax deduction at source for foreign nationals so it is advisable to be aware of the Taiwanese taxation rules beforehand.

宿舍的典型日子 A Typical Day at DBS Dormitory • You will rise at 6:30 a.m. and attend the morning prayers at 6:45 a.m. in the religious attire, which is followed by breakfast at 7 a.m. • You may then have lectures as per your schedule of selected courses. • Classes usually start at 8 or 9 a.m. • Lunch is served at 12 noon and dinner is served at 6 p.m. • You will attend the evening service at 9 p.m. in the religious attire. • Depending on the allocation, you will spend 1.5 hours a week on cooking duty and 1.5 hours a week on serving duty or 3 hours a week on either duty. • You will have a five-day weekly cleaning roster and take turns with everyone in the dorm in order to clean the living areas. Your turn will come up for two or three weeks (minimum) every semester depending on the total students residing in the dorm. • You will have weekly reading assignments for each course and written (reports or term papers) submissions based on the course requirements. ** The process mentioned here is for female dormitory. Please check with the male dormitory for exact details for the men’s dorm schedules. These are subject to change.

Department of Buddhist Studies (DBS) 佛教學系