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For 17-year-old Ong Rou Xuan, a student in her final year at Chung Ling High School in Penang, Malaysia, this could be her last year living at home. Like many of her peers, she is considering studying technology abroad, with Taiwan and Singapore as her top options.
"(A lot of my seniors) went to Taiwan for college and then stayed to work. They told me the job opportunities are not bad, especially in the technology industry." Ong explains. "The salary and benefits are also not bad, so I also feel tempted to go. I’ll need to do more research."
Private Chinese High Schools: A Gateway to Overseas Education
Ong's experience mirrors that of many ethnic Chinese students in Malaysia. Around 90% of them enroll in private, independent Chinese high schools, where they are taught in multiple languages—Chinese, English and Malay. This multilingual education broadens their opportunities for pursuing higher education abroad, particularly in places like Taiwan.
However, their choices are also shaped by local educational policies. Malaysian public universities operate under a quota system that favors ethnic Malays, often making it difficult for Chinese Malaysian students to secure spots at government universities. As a result, many students at these private institutions look overseas for their next step in education.
Taiwan: A Popular Destination for Malaysian Students
Taiwan is one of the top choices for many students graduating from these private Chinese high schools These schools have become key contributors to the international student population in Taiwan.
Jolene Wong Yee Wen, a student at Kuen Cheng High School in Kuala Lumpur, is among those eyeing Taiwan’s National Taiwan University (NTU), the top university in the country. "If I go to Taiwan, then I want to go to National Taiwan University. After all, it’s the best school in Taiwan. So I must go to the best one," she says.
Career Prospects in Taiwan
For many Malaysian students, studying in Taiwan is just the beginning of a longer journey. Once they complete their degrees, many choose to stay in Taiwan to begin their professional career. In 2023, Malaysians became the largest group of foreign professionals in Taiwan, particularly in the technology and commerce sectors, surpassing Japanese workers for the first time.
Educators like Cheong Chee Ling, head of counseling at Chung Ling High School, observe that many of their students find it easy to adapt to life in Taiwan. "About half of my students who go to Taiwan end up staying," Cheong says. "Big companies like TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) really like Malaysian students because of their multilingual skills. They can speak English, Mandarin, Hokkien and Malay, giving them an advantage in the job market."
Multilingual Skills: A Key Advantage
The multilingual background of Malaysian students is frequently cited as one of their strongest assets in Taiwan. With fluency in languages like English, Chinese and Malay, these students are well-equipped to navigate Taiwan’s diverse cultural and linguistic environment.
Cheong points out that this linguistic proficiency, combined with the students' strong academic foundation in technology and science, makes them particularly attractive to tech giants like TSMC.
As the largest group of international students in Taiwan, Malaysians are not only contributing to the country’s academic community but also making their mark in the professional domain. The growing trend of students staying on after graduation is reshaping Taiwan’s workforce, particularly in tech fields.
But for now, these high school students are focused on their immediate challenge: finishing their studies, acing their exams and securing a place in Taiwan’s universities. As they prepare to leave high school behind, Taiwan represents not only a destination for education but also a potential launchpad for their future careers.
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