Meet Eric Dalangin

"I would absolutely 100% recommend study abroad to engineering students. RU Global has an abundance of options that are manageable to fit into an engineering program." -Eric Dalangin

Before starting his final semester this fall, senior Eric Dalangin was able to check studying abroad off his undergraduate bucket list. The packaging major traveled to Taipei, Taiwan this past summer in RU Global's National Taiwan University program, where he studied semiconductors and how they originated in Taiwan to become a multi-billion-dollar industry. His enthusiasm for his experience has led him to become both a School of Engineering Ambassador and a Rutgers University Global Study Abroad Ambassador. After completing his studies at the end of this semester—and finishing a research and development packaging engineering co-op with the Pepsi-Lipton Partnership team in Valhalla, New York—he will return to campus in the spring as a master's degree student in business and science engineering, with a concentration in packaging and product engineering—and a goal of eventually joining a packaging engineering team full time.

What was your study abroad program like?

There were lectures, school tours, and museum visits from professors at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology and Minghsin University of Science and Technology. The program was managed by Rutgers School of Graduate Studies Senior Associate Dean Hae Chang Gae and Fulbright Taiwan—an organization dedicated to administering educational experiences for students in the U.S. and Taiwan.

What did you most enjoy about the program?

Some of my favorite experiences within the Engineering Management in High Tech Industries program itself were going to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Museum of Innovation and learning about the foundation of how Taiwan created semiconductors and transformed this into an industry worth billions of U.S. dollars.

I also loved being able to immerse myself every single day in Taiwanese culture with the friends I made during my study abroad journey.

What was your biggest takeaway from your experience?

It was seeing how welcoming and nurturing the Taiwanese community was both in and out of the program. I truly felt so safe and welcomed every day I was in Taiwan. While it's intimidating to travel alone to a country, the experience also made me feel more independent and comfortable traveling. 

Did you do any traveling beyond your study program?

I made friends with not only the other Rutgers study abroad students, but also with the National Taiwan University students. We visited Jioufen, an historic mountain town, where I was able to sit on the top of the mountain overlooking the terrain and lantern lights while drinking fresh tea.

I had a few hometown friends in the area before starting the program, and we visited Longtan District for a memorable dragon boat festival and fireworks show. 

Do you recommend study abroad for other SoE students?

I would absolutely 100% recommend study abroad to engineering students. RU Global has an abundance of options in both summer and winter that can fit around the SoE program. These programs last anywhere from 10 days to a few weeks. Financially, there are many ways to get aid—whether from SoE scholarships or, if you apply early enough, from RU Global. Fulbright also has scholarships. 

I'd also recommend reserving a few extra days at the beginning and end of their program to do some solo travel within the country.

Do you have any advice for incoming SoE students?

There are so many hats you can wear at the SoE. Take advantage of as many opportunities as you can. From being able to complete a study abroad and interning at big companies to being ambassadors and holding leadership positions, there is an abundance of opportunities to become a well-rounded person. SoE has set the foundation for the rest of my career.