Making of the Modern World Taiwan: History, the Arts, and the Natural World is a two-week immersive summer program offered through National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) in partnership with MMW at UC San Diego. The program provides NTNU academic credit and, for participating UC San Diego students, official Co-Curricular Record documentation on UCSD transcripts.
Open to Taiwanese, American, and international students, the program invites participants to encounter Taiwan through on-site exploration of Taiwan’s arts, history, culture, and natural environments, integrating perspectives from the arts and humanities, environmental sciences, and public institutions through engagement with museums, national parks, religious and cultural sites, and local communities.
Program Includes
1. Coursework
- A 2-unit NTNU summer course.
- Lectures, discussions, site-based learning, and reflective assignments.
- Collaborative learning among Taiwanese and international students.
2. Site Visits
Arts and Museums: National Palace Museum, National Taiwan Museum, NTNU galleries and cultural spaces, additional museums and arts venues
Natural Environments: Yangmingshan National Park; other sites include one of the following: Taroko National Park, Yehliu Geopark, Northeast Coast National Scenic Area (subject to access and conditions).
Cultural and Religious Sites: Longshan Temple, Bao’an Temple, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Historic neighborhoods and cultural preservation projects, including Dadaocheng Historic District
For UC San Diego Students:
- UCSD students will enroll in the NTNU summer course, co-taught by Prof. Herbst, and reside in NTNU housing during the program. NTNU course tuition is approximately $50 and the MMW Taiwan program fee is approximately $500. This fee does not include airfare which each student must arrange independently.
- UCSD students will receive official “Making of the Modern World Taiwan” Co-Curricular Record (CCR) notation on UCSD Transcripts.
- Following successful completion of MMW Taiwan, participating ERC students may enroll in a specially designed MMW15R Taiwan Seminar taught by Prof. Herbst in Fall 2027. This seminar will build upon the summer experience and satisfy MMW requirement.


