At the age of 22, Fátima Molas, a Paraguayan Industrial Engineering student, made one of the most challenging and courageous decisions of her life: to leave her family and country for more than a year to do an academic exchange in Taiwan.
Today, just a few months away from completing her degree at the Taiwan–Paraguay Polytechnic University (UPTP), Fátima shares how this journey not only allowed her to grow academically, but also to discover herself in a completely different context.
The decision to leave
Fátima remembers her childhood as a stage where effort and discipline were always present. “I did everything, yet nothing at the same time,” she says with a laugh, recalling how her parents gave her the freedom to experiment and make mistakes.
Although she did not worry too much about the future as a child, over the years she began to reflect on her dreams and the challenges of pursuing them.
The year 2020 was decisive for Fátima Molas. During the pandemic, in her final year of secondary school, she heard about the UPTP through a talk given by former students. The opportunity to take classes in English, with international lecturers and the promise of an exchange in Asia, immediately caught her attention.
A different place
“It was receiving an international education while still in Paraguay,” she explains. For someone who had never left the country, the idea of studying three semesters in such a different place represented the adventure she had always dreamed of – even if she had not realised it yet.
Despite the fear of being so far from home, Fátima knew she wanted to experience something different. “I saw it as something exciting, though also frightening. I wanted to compare realities and take the best from the experience.”
Her family supported her from the very beginning, although the worry was always there. “I knew it was difficult for them. Sometimes I could see in their faces the sadness of missing me, but they always told me they were proud,” she recalls.
That support was also financial: in addition to her scholarship, her parents helped her cover food and enjoy the experience more fully.
Classmates who became family
Fátima Molas did not travel alone. She already knew her classmates from her first semesters in Paraguay, and together they prepared for the big leap. That bond became a fundamental pillar. “I am very happy to have had this experience with my classmates and friends. We will always see each other as family,” she says, visibly moved.
In Taiwan they celebrated birthdays, shared rooms, and supported each other through the hardest moments. “In the end, we only had each other, and I feel very lucky with the group I had. Now that I have returned, I realise how important it is to surround yourself with people who motivate you and make you laugh.”
The challenges of an exchange
Food was, without doubt, one of the biggest challenges. “I did not really like Taiwanese food; it does not have the same taste or texture as the food in Paraguay,” she explains. She missed the simplest things, like a midnight sandwich. That experience taught her to value Paraguayan food not only for its practicality but also for its emotional significance.
The cultural shock was evident but enriching. Fátima Molas was struck by the cleanliness of the streets, the safety and respect in public spaces. She was also impressed by the efficiency of public transport and the punctuality of the Taiwanese. Although at times she missed privacy when sharing rooms, she learnt to adapt and to see the positive side of cohabitation.
Personal challenges were compounded by an unexpected blow: the loss of her cat while she was away. “It was a reason for happiness when I came back from university, and it was very hard to know he would not be there anymore,” she confesses. It was a reminder of the emotional risks of being far from home for so long.
Academic and cultural learning
Academically, Fátima says the adjustment was easier than expected, since the Taiwanese lecturers who taught her in Paraguay had a very similar style to those in Asia. “I did not feel a big difference in the education system, but I did notice that they have a more international outlook.”
Beyond her studies, she highlights that she adopted a new way of seeing life. “Discovering other places made me more restless; it gave me the desire to keep exploring and experimenting.”
Among the values that most influenced her was respect. “In Taiwan, in public places, everyone tries to keep the environment quiet, and I adopted that as my own habit.”
Inspiration and Fátima Molas’ future
Her main source of inspiration are her parents, whom she describes as humble and hard-working. “I want to give them a better life and for them to feel the happiness I felt in Taiwan.”
Looking ahead, Fátima dreams of continuing her training in technology, pursuing a Master’s degree abroad, and exploring fields that are still underdeveloped in Paraguay. “The future is technology, and although it scares me a little, I want to try doing something different.”
For those who dream of studying abroad, Fátima Molas leaves a clear message: “Going far away will always be scary, but it is better to take the risk than to be left wondering. The experience of living in another country is a unique opportunity to grow as a person and get to know yourself in a new context.”
With her story, Fátima shows that economic, cultural, and emotional barriers can be overcome when there is a true desire to learn and broaden horizons. Her time in Taiwan not only gave her new knowledge but also a renewed vision of the world – and of herself.
Beyond student exchanges, Paraguayans can also access research opportunities in Taiwan, such as the Taiwan Fellowship 2025, which supports advanced academic projects in East Asia. For more information, visit the Study in Taiwan website.
