By Meryl Kao

 

Rebecca Lin’s journey from National Chengchi University’s (NCCU) International Master’s Program in International Communication Studies (IMICS) to a thriving career in political communications is a story of personal and professional growth shaped by cross-cultural insights.

 

Born and raised in the United States, Lin ventured to Taiwan after completing her undergraduate degree in international relations and Chinese. Driven by a desire to expand her worldview beyond an American perspective, Lin’s experiences at NCCU have profoundly influenced her career as a media strategist, equipping her with unique skills, a stronger sense of identity, and a global perspective.

 

▲Born and raised in the United States, Rebecca Lin ventured to Taiwan after completing her undergraduate degree in international relations and Chinese. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Lin Oct 28, 2024

 

 

Academic Growth with a Global Perspective

 

Lin’s academic journey at NCCU was not only rigorous but also uniquely international.

 

“I was drawn to NCCU for its blend of communication and international relations, which perfectly combined my academic interests,” Lin shared.

 

The IMICS program, Lin noted, was ideally suited to her aspirations, providing her with the foundation for her role in political communications today.

 

▲The IMICS program, Lin noted, was ideally suited to her aspirations, providing her with the foundation for her role in political communications today. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Lin Oct 28, 2024

 

Currently, Lin is a media strategist at a Democratic political communications agency in the United States, where she manages campaigns for presidential, corporate, and nonprofit causes. As a media buyer, she is responsible for developing communication strategies aimed at specific demographic groups—a highly analytical role that she feels her time at NCCU prepared her thoroughly.

 

During her studies, Lin took most of the quantitative analysis courses alongside communications, which prepared her for the data-driven focus of her work.

 

“The IMICS program’s curriculum allowed me to deepen my understanding of communications through data,” she explained.

 

The quantitative background that Lin acquired from IMICS enables her to make data-informed decisions in her current role, such as analyzing voter demographics and tailoring campaign messages for optimal resonance.

 

“We work with data daily, assessing metrics like click-through rates and ad engagement to fine-tune our strategies, and the analytical skills I honed at NCCU are invaluable in my day-to-day work,” she added.

 

Diverse Perspectives and Cross-Cultural Understanding

 

Aside from the solid data-analyzing skills learned during class, another valuable aspect of Lin’s NCCU experience was the exposure to a diverse academic environment.

 

“Our professors came from all over the world, each bringing unique perspectives,” Lin recalled.

 

According to Lin, the diversity of insights from all the IMICS professors helped her understand global communication complexities and apply these insights when working with varied audiences. This global perspective has proven to be essential in her current role, where she communicates with various American communities, including Asian American, Latino, and suburban voters.

 

▲According to Lin, the diversity of insights from all the IMICS professors helped her understand global communication complexities and apply these insights when working with varied audiences. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Lin Oct 28, 2024

 

“Understanding different cultural values and motivations is essential for tailoring messages that resonate, and NCCU’s diverse environment has helped me develop that skill,” Lin said.

 

Beyond the classroom, Lin’s active role in NCCU’s Office of International Cooperation (OIC) further strengthened her communication abilities.

 

In her second year of master’s, Lin joined the OIC’s team, managing international outreach through social media and creating narratives that represented both local and international perspectives.

 

In her second year of master’s, Lin joined the OIC’s team, managing international outreach through social media. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Lin Oct 28, 2024

 

▲In her second year of master’s, Lin joined the OIC’s team, managing international outreach through social media. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Lin Oct 28, 2024

 

“At OIC, I helped shape NCCU’s image for prospective international students, and it was incredible to craft stories that appealed to diverse audiences,” she shared.

 

Lin’s work at OIC also taught her the importance of clear, inclusive messaging—an invaluable skill she now applies when creating campaign strategies that must reach audiences across the political spectrum.

 

Building Personal and Professional Connections

 

To further delve into the academic field of communications, Lin took on roles as a teaching assistant (TA) and research assistant, opportunities that helped her forge meaningful connections with her professors and engage in academic discussions beyond classroom learning.

 

“These roles let me contribute to NCCU’s academic community and form strong professional connections with professors who brought international perspectives to Taiwan,” she explained.

 

These mentors, according to Lin, not only influenced her academic growth but also encouraged her to embrace her Taiwanese American identity and find confidence in her dual heritage.

 

One of Lin’s most cherished academic milestones at NCCU was presenting her research at one of the conferences held by the Taiwan Academy for Information Society (TAIS).

 

▲One of Lin’s most cherished academic milestones at NCCU was presenting her research at one of the conferences held by the Taiwan Academy for Information Society (TAIS). Photo courtesy of Rebecca Lin Oct 28, 2024

 

“It was my first time presenting my work in an academic setting, and it taught me to confidently defend my research in front of peers and professors,” she said.

 

This experience, Lin reflected, was instrumental in preparing her for her current role, where she frequently presents and justifies media strategies to clients. “The TAIS conference helped me develop public speaking and analytical skills, which are crucial in my daily work.”

 

Reconnecting with Heritage and Building Lasting Friendships

 

Other than broadening her experience in academia, Lin’s time at NCCU was also an exploration of her identity as a Taiwanese American.

 

“Living in Taiwan gave me a much deeper understanding of my heritage,” Lin reflected. “Growing up, my Chinese was very textbook, but in Taiwan, I learned the colloquial language and cultural nuances that gave me a sense of belonging.”

 

▲Other than broadening her experience in academia, Lin’s time at NCCU was also an exploration of her identity as a Taiwanese American. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Lin Oct 28, 2024

 

Through this immersion, Lin grew closer to her heritage, gaining both linguistic and cultural fluency that textbooks could not provide.

 

“Being able to understand the local humor and cultural references allowed me to connect with people on a more personal level,” she said, noting that this connection bolstered her confidence in her Taiwanese American identity.

 

▲“Being able to understand the local humor and cultural references allowed me to connect with people on a more personal level,” Lin said. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Lin Oct 28, 2024

 

Friendships forged at NCCU also played a crucial role in shaping her time in Taiwan. Lin’s relationships spanned both local Taiwanese and international peers, creating a rich network of support and shared experiences.

 

“I came to Taiwan expecting to make local friends, but I was surprised by the strong bonds I built with international classmates from all over the world,” she explained.

 

Through these friendships, Lin discovered shared interests and experiences that bridged cultural gaps.

 

▲Friendships forged at NCCU also played a crucial role in shaping Lin’s time in Taiwan. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Lin Oct 28, 2024

 

“It was eye-opening to learn that even though we grew up in different countries, we had so much in common, and from Disney shows to music, these connections made the world feel smaller and more connected,” she added.

 

These friendships taught Lin to appreciate different perspectives, an invaluable skill she carries into her work today.

 

“Learning about others’ cultures firsthand helped me understand that while our backgrounds may differ, we share core human experiences, and this realization continues to influence my approach to crafting messages for different demographic groups in my current role,” she said.

 

A Lasting Impact on Career and Identity

 

As Lin reflected on her time at NCCU, she emphasized that the experience went beyond academic achievement.

 

“My time at NCCU gave me the confidence, skills, and perspective to navigate a globalized world,” she said.

 

Today, as a political communications strategist, Lin draws on her NCCU experiences to approach communication with a nuanced cultural awareness, one that helps her connect with diverse communities in the U.S.

 

“Living in Taiwan and studying at NCCU has made me a more empathetic communicator, and it also taught me to appreciate diversity, which is essential in my work and personal life,” Lin concluded.

 

For Lin, NCCU was not only an academic journey but a pathway to personal growth, lifelong friendships, and a strengthened sense of cultural pride. Her story is a testament to the enduring impact that an international education at NCCU can have on graduates aiming to make a meaningful difference in their fields and communities worldwide.