輔大英國語文學系
Department of English Language & Literature, FJCU
『讓他們告訴你為什麼要選輔大英文系Why FJCU English』系列二
Why FJCU English?
大二生 Jenny (阮氏錦仙)
My name is Jenny, and I’m currently a student in the Department of English Language and Literature at Fu Jen University (FJU), majoring in English Language and Literature. In the beginning, choosing the right university was quite challenging for me, given that I’m from Vietnam and completely unfamiliar with the educational environment in Taiwan. Fortunately, I heard from many people that the English Department at FJU has an excellent academic reputation, and they strongly encouraged me to try. Therefore, I applied and crossed my fingers, praying to be accepted. No one could have imagined how excited I was when I received the admission letter from the department. That day was incredible!
At this moment, I'm looking back, and I feel so grateful for the decision I made, as this decision plays an important role in my growth. The English Department has truly transformed me in many ways. I have become more sociable, expressive, and independent in my thinking. I used to be quite a reserved person, who found it extremely difficult to properly communicate with others, no matter how much I wanted to. I often struggled with expressing myself. So, most of the time, I would listen to people without knowing how to respond. Now, I’m a better version of myself. I’m capable of expressing my thoughts, and can freely express them without letting others’ opinions influence my own. I’m not afraid of communication anymore, thanks to the training I have received in the Public Speaking course, group activities, and countless presentations. Although I don’t dare to say how great I am, I can proudly say that I have become a more confident speaker than I used to be.
Additionally, I’ve drawn two key lessons throughout my time here in the English Department: Language is merely a tool for communication, and cooperative skills are important. I used to think that entering the English Department was meant to cultivate my English skills, so my initial goal was only to become proficient in English. My mind has shifted thanks to what I have learned from our experienced and inspiring professors. I have come to realize that language is merely a tool for us to achieve actual knowledge. It’s all about the knowledge and information acquired and exchanged through language, not the language itself. However, the better the tool is, the easier it gets to explore the world. Thus, that’s why we should master our language. Therefore, I find myself more interested in acquiring the knowledge delivered in every lecture rather than focusing on endless strings of English vocabulary. Secondly, cooperation is essential since it allows us to learn from one another and grow together. When working as a team, I realize everyone has their strengths, and no one is redundant. All members within a group can contribute in their own ways, contributing to the benefit of the whole group. That’s quite an important lesson I have taken to heart within these two years.
Another thing I’ve come to realize is that, among many well-designed courses taught by our knowledgeable professors, I seem to have discovered an interest in studying literature more than I thought. Even though I liked reading since I was little, and not just recently, it was difficult to remember what I had just read. In other words, I could not recall much after finishing a text. However, after taking several literature courses, I have learned that reading is not as simple as opening a book and flipping through its pages, but the idea is to comprehend, analyze, and reflect on it. Gradually, while reading, I deeply engage with the text, feeling it instead of superficially skimming it. Since then, I have loved studying literature, as I love immersing myself in the stories, in the world of the characters, and resonating with everything they go through. I love it when indescribable emotions are stimulated within me while I’m reading a poem as if I were in there and witnessed everything firsthand. In addition, when I study literature, I can discuss it with other classmates. Through these discussions, I’m offered a chance to exchange thoughts on the text and share personal insights with others. Afterward, everyone has the opportunity to express interpretations with the whole class, and our interpretations are always respected and acknowledged, no matter what they are. I truly admit that it is such a healthy environment that encourages open-mindedness, and helps us better understand the text we study.
Lastly, I would like to encourage everyone to make the most of your time in college, using these years to equip yourself with the full armor of knowledge and practical experience needed to face the real world beyond university. Moreover, try not to complain about the workload as it is an opportunity to learn and grow. You’re emotionally stronger than you think, so let’s not allow momentary pleasure to take control. You’re the master of your life.
Stay focused on the path you have chosen, and enjoy the journey.