Venerable Zhiquan, a PhD student in the Department of Buddhist Studies at Fo Guang University, recently completed a semester as a visiting student at the Department of History, National University of Singapore (NUS), and has returned to Taiwan. During the Spring Semester of 2026, she pursued academic studies at NUS, auditing courses on Southeast Asian history, participating actively in graduate seminars and discussions, and conducting fieldwork in Singapore to collect firsthand materials for her doctoral dissertation.

According to Venerable Zhiquan, one of the most rewarding aspects of the visit was the opportunity to study and conduct research in a fully English-speaking academic environment. Attending courses and engaging in scholarly discussions in English not only improved her listening and speaking abilities but also strengthened her confidence in cross-cultural communication and academic expression. Furthermore, interactions with faculty members and students from diverse cultural and national backgrounds broadened her international perspective and exposed her to a wide range of academic viewpoints. 

Under the guidance of professors in the Department of History at NUS, Venerable Zhiquan developed a deeper understanding of Southeast Asian history and regional studies. Exposure to different disciplinary approaches provided valuable insights and inspiration for her own research. The combination of classroom learning, scholarly engagement, and fieldwork enriched her research and laid a stronger foundation for the completion of her doctoral dissertation.

Venerable Zhiquan expressed her gratitude to Fo Guang University, the National University of Singapore, and Professor Jack Meng-Tat Chia for making this valuable visiting student opportunity possible. She hopes to apply the knowledge and experiences gained at NUS to his future research and teaching.