Pittsburgh Resident Studies Abroad in Taiwan for the Summer Semester at Ashland University

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ASHLAND, OH (07/22/2013)(readMedia)-- FOR RELEASE 7/22/13

*picture caption* "Riley (second from left) poses for a photo in Taiwan

ASHLAND, Ohio – Theresa Riley, of Pittsburgh, PA, and a senior hospitality management major at Ashland University, is currently studying abroad in Taiwan for the summer semester at Ashland University.

Riley is the daughter of Patrick and Carol Riley, and is a 2009 graduate of Mount Lebanon High School.

Riley and the other students spent much of their time at Providence University in the Wu Chi district of Taichung, Taiwan. The summer program involves students enrolling in two Providence University classes – Mandarin language and Cross Cultural Business and Management Seminar.

Providence University paired the six students with learning partners who are Providence University students interested in improving their English and knowledge of the American Culture.

"A key objective of the program is to provide meaningful exposure to an Asian market and culture for Ashland University's business students," said Khush Pittenger, professor of management and the Dauch College of Business and Economics internship coordinator. "It is a unique opportunity as not many students are likely to travel to Asia on their own and there are no other Ashland University travel abroad programs that focus heavily on Asia."

Pittenger said Asia has some of fastest growing economies in the world and such international experiences bring to life what students read in textbooks and newspapers.

This year's program involved students visiting Taiwanese local enterprises such as Gold-Joint Industries – ACE, a Taiwanese-based geosynthetic company.

Dr. Jeff Russell, dean of the Dauch College of Business and Economics, said this program is a great opportunity for Ashland University students to experience urban attractions of the third-largest city in Taiwan, which has a population of one million plus. "Any international experience significantly improves students' visibility with prospective employers," he said.

In addition to Taichung, the students are expected to visit Taipei, the capital of Taiwan; towns in southern Taiwan and Penghu Island.

Riley has been extremely excited about learning Chinese in Taiwan.

"Language class has been amazing, and I feel progressively more confident in my ability to communicate each passing day," Riley said. "During week 2, at the Xiotu Nature Education Area, I was able to hold a conversation with passers-by, which were usually something along the lines of saying hello, asking where I'm from, and why I'm here, to which I could correctly respond! Most of the time, anyway."

Riley also loves the food down in Taiwan.

"My favorite foods are milk tea, dried tomatoes (they are so sweet here!), vegetable dumplings, and pumpkin seed loaf bread. My most adventurous eats so far are mung bean cake and stinky tofu," Riley said.

Riley left for Taiwan on June 23rd and will be returning to Ohio on August 4, 2013. The students have been keeping family and friends up-to-date with a blog, which can be seen at https://dauchcobe.wordpress.com/ or can be found on Twitter @COBETaiwan.

Ashland University, ranked in the top 200 colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report's National Universities category for 2013, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.

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