Application and Arrival Process at Department of Buddhist Studies, FoGuang University, Taiwan

Department of Buddhist Studies (DBS) FoGuang University (FGU), Jiaoxi, Yilan County, Taiwan

This section details the information and processes required to be followed before you apply or arrive at FGU. Before Application and Arrival

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

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. Office of Internation Affairs, Room Number 305, Yunqi Lou Building, FoGuang UniversityNo.160, Linwei Rd., Jiaosi , Yilan County 26247, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Chinese Language Skills • It is advisable that you know basic levels of Chinese in order that your transition and stay be comfortable. • 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. • In order to access modern scholarship, simplified Chinese language is sufficient.

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 whole week, once a month • 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 dorm 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.

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. Scholarship and expenses

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.

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.

FGUniversity-DepartmentBS Scholarship • The DBS scholarship is a set amount 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.

Additional Living Expenses – outside DBS Dormitory • If you choose to live outside the DBS dormitory, you are ineligible for the department scholarship of NTD50000 per semester for a maximum of two years. • 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

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 optional costing NTD 250 each. • You will also need to buy/bring a table lamp and hair-dryer (110V). • Please carry your own personal essentials for everyday use: clothes, 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). • 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.

Additional Living Expenses – Recurring • You will have a monthly or periodic recharge expense for your Mobile Phone Plan (optional), transport & stationery. • The travel card will cost you NTD 100. • You can refill the balance amount in your travel card and recharge your mobile from any convenience store. • 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.) • 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. • You cannot alter the wash cycle setting of the washing machine. You need to get 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.

Additional Living Expenses – Weekends • You will also have to provide for your own meals during every Saturday and Sunday. • Each meal may cost you approximately NTD 60-100. • 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.

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 NTD800/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) in the basement. • For best practice, please use vacuum storage bags; you can bring them along or purchase them in Taiwan. It may approximately cost NTD200 for a set of three vacuum bags.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 NOTbe verified and/or authenticated. ** The process mentioned here is for Indian applicants. Please check with the Taiwan Embassy in your Country for exact details.

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. • 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 (Visa form, Study Plan, Transcripts, University’s Offer/Admit Letter, Financial Statement, authenticated Educational documents, authenticated Health Certificate) and 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. ** The process mentioned here is for Indian applicants. Please check with the Taiwan Embassy in your Country for exact details.

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

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 to take the airport bus or metro (~NTD150) and reach Taipei Main Station (TMS); from TMS, take a bus to Jiaoxi Transfer Station (~NTD120) and then take a bus (~NTD20) or cab (~NTD300) uphill to FGU. • Your travel from the airport to the school will cost you approximately NTD 500 (maximum). • 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.

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 NTD65000 • 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.

Taiwanese Mobile Plan (optional) • You can buy a 30-day prepaid card 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.)

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

Getting Around School Campus • You can walk or use the school buses to get around inside campus. • There is no charge for school transport within campus. • If you use the school buses to go out of campus, you are charged NTD20 per trip. • You can use the Yilan Housing buses for a charge of NTD20 per trip. • 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.

Monetary Payments • All financial transactions are carried out using local currency (TWD/NTD). • You can either deposit 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 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) NTD100 per transaction, 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) NTD5 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 NTD20,000 (maximum) at a time.

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 (Yun Qi Lou). • 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.

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 and National Health Insurance (NHI). • You will complete all the required tests on an empty stomach at a Taiwanese hospital. • You will pay NTD1000 for all tests and submit a photo. • Carry your passport and a photocopy of the same. • The FGU School Insurance will cost you NTD3500 for the first year/two semesters, which you will submit along with a photo. • If you stay in Taiwan in the Winter break, it will cost you NTD3000 only. • If you leave Taiwan in 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 (Yun Qi 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.

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 visa.

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).

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. • You will need to fill an application form and submit a photo, ARC copy (both sides) and cash amount of NTD1000 (minimum balance). • There are two bank officials present on-campus (Yun Qi Lou) 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 Jiaoxi/YilanTCB bank branch and open the TCB Bank account. You will receive the bank passbook and ATM card immediately. • You will then submit a photocopy of the 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, it will delay the DBS scholarship refund to your account.

Facilities on-Campus: Eateries & Essentials • Yun Qi 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 Yun Qi 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 Yun Qi Lou(Room 103). • The general admin and utilities is at Yun Qi Lou (Room 106).

Facilities on-Campus: Eateries & Essentials in tabular format

Facilities on-Campus: Post • 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 envelopes for NTD1. • 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).

Facilities on-Campus: Banking & ATM • There are two ATMs on the FGU campus: at Yun Qi Lou/Main Admin Building and in XinliXue/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 Yun Qi Lou 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) NTD100 per transaction, 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) NTD5 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 NTD20,000 (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.

Facilities on-Campus: Library • There are two libraries that students of DBS can avail of. • The DBS Library is situated on the fifth floor of Yun Shui Building; only for reference and not for borrowing books. • The 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). • 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).

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 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.

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 NTD100. • 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.

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 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.

Quitting your Studies • If you choose to quit your studies after enrolment, you will have to wait until a couple of weeks for reimbursement of fees and charges. • There is a deduction of 1/3rd of the payment and a refund of 2/3rdof payment made by you to the school.

This section details the information and processes required to be followed after you enroll for your graduate studies at FGU. Graduate Studies at FGU

Enrollment and Course Selection – Online Process • There are self-help demos available at the office in order to assist you with the steps to be followed in completing these requirements: • To enroll for graduate studies • To select courses at the end/beginning of each semester • To enroll in the dormitory stay • To download the TCB invoice and make an online/offline payment of school fees • To check your results and print out your transcripts • In case you need volunteers to guide you for the same, you can request for help at the DBS office.

Course Selection - Online Process • Once you login on the FGU website, you will be allowed to select courses on offer for the current semester or, deselect from your selected list courses. • There are announcements posted on the Department Notice Boards as well as online communication channels regarding the same. • You will need to complete the selection or de-selection of courses within the stipulated timelines for the same. • This is important because certain mandatory courses will be offered only once in an academic cycle and if you do not register and complete these courses and accumulate the required course credits, you will not be able to graduate.

Course Selection and Results • At the beginning or end of every semester, you will need to enroll, and select/drop courses for your upcoming semester. • You will need to log in to the FGU website and register for the course as well as your dorm stay. • You can then add or drop courses based on your needs and interest within the due dates. • In order to view your semester result, you will have to log in to the FGU website and check the results displayed.

Transcripts • You can easily obtain transcripts from Yun Qi Lou/Admin building. • You need to input your ARC number and DOB in the dispensing machines on the first floor. • Then you deposit the cash and retain the receipt. • You then go to the Student Affairs office on the third floor and then present the payment receipt along with an application form with your details. • The application form is available on the desk of the official on the third floor. • The official prints out your transcript, stamps it with two signatures and puts an indented stamp of the University. • For other documents or their re-issued copies, approach the same desk, fill the requisite application form, and submit with said fees.

Course Credits • Once you select the mandatory courses and the courses of your choice, you need to monitor the number of course credits you accumulate. • As per the Department requirements for MA in Buddhist Studies (English track), you need to complete the 10 credits of mandatory courses: Buddhist Canons and Canonical Sources (3 credits, one semester), Buddhist Demeanors and Buddhist Practice (2 credits each, spread over two semesters) and Academic Writing (3 credits; one each spread over three semesters). • As per the Department requirements for MA in Buddhist Studies (English track), you need to complete the requisite language courses for NO/ZERO credits (0 credit, spread over two semesters). • As per the Department requirements for MA in Buddhist Studies (English track), you need to complete 14 additional credits of optional/elective courses: The list of elective courses offered are updated online in the FGU school system each semester. • Each course has the syllabus, learning outcome and course requirements to be fulfilled in order to earn credits. • Each course also lists the marking criteria followed in grading students’ performance. • If you fail to complete the required set of credits within the two years (four semesters), you will have to pay tuition for the additional years/semesters you need to complete the graduate requirements. • The DBS scholarship is restricted to two years only. Any extension is without DBS scholarship. • It is chargeable at actual FGU tuition fees.

Set of Mandatory Course Credits

Application and Arrival Process at Department of Buddhist Studies, FoGuang University, Taiwan