UNAIR NEWS Sharon Audrey Evangeline, an Environmental Engineering student at (UNAIR), is currently interning in Taiwan through the Taiwan Experience Education Program (TEEP). For three months, she will engage in microplastic research at the Department of Environmental Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU). The internship aligns with her goal of pursuing a master檚 degree abroad.
淢y motivation for joining this internship was to experience life here firsthand before committing to graduate school. It檚 also a great opportunity to expand my knowledge and gain practical research experience in environmental science, she said.
Evangeline first learned about CYCU through a previous collaboration between the university and UNAIR. She later discovered that UNAIR students are eligible for master檚 scholarships at CYCU, which further motivated her to apply.
Focus on microplastic research
Evangeline considers microplastic pollution a complex issue that demands deeper study. Taiwan, known for its advanced environmental technologies, offered the perfect setting for her research. 淚 thought this would be the ideal place to learn new methods using more advanced technology, she explained.
Her research focuses on measuring microplastic particles in air samples. Specifically, she investigates whether the concentration of airborne microplastics changes during typhoon events in Taiwan. 淭he research looks at how much microplastic is present in air samples and whether typhoons influence those levels, she added.
Evangeline has found the academic atmosphere in Taiwan both welcoming and intellectually stimulating. Professors have provided continuous support, and she has taken the opportunity to immerse herself in Taiwanese language and culture. The internship has also allowed her to connect with a diverse group of international students.
She noted that students are granted 24-hour access to the research labs, including weekends. 淲e檙e free to conduct research at any time, even on weekends. Of course, this comes with a strong expectation of personal responsibility for the work we do, Evangeline said.
Gaining life skills abroad
淥ne of the most valuable takeaways from this experience has been learning how to adapt and become more independent, she reflected. 淵ou need to be self-aware, polite, flexible, and respectful of the rules in a different country. It also taught me how to manage finances responsibly with the monthly stipend.
Another challenge has been the language barrier, as many locals do not speak English fluently. This has pushed Evangeline to use Mandarin when interacting with the community.
淛ust try it. You檒l never feel fully ready if you keep waiting. If we檙e always afraid, we won檛 grow. We need challenges that push us out of our comfort zones, she concluded.
Author: Afifah Alfina
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
