Fulbright Recipient Teaches English in Rural Taiwan Before Starting Pre-Med Studies

Deepak Gopalakrishnan, who graduated from Rutgers with a bachelor of arts degree in Chinese, plans to attend medical school after his time abroad

Rutgers graduate Deepak Gopalakrishnan snaps a selfie in the Taipei Fine Arts Museum.

Deepak Gopalakrishnan considered attending a community college after high school, but "Rutgers gave me a full scholarship." Now, thanks to a Fulbright grant, he has sharpened his interpersonal skills during a work-abroad experience in Taiwan ahead of pursuing a medical degree.

Gopalakrishnan, a Presidential Scholar at the Honors College who graduated from Rutgers University-New Brunswick in 2025 with a bachelor of arts degree in Chinese (and a minor in math), was a recipient of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program grant. From August 2025 through June, the 23-year-old helped teach English as a second language at two elementary schools in a county southeast of Taipei in Taiwan.

Soon, he begins his pre-medical studies at Rutgers-New Brunswick.

"I was able to attend Rutgers and experience a wonderful, formative four-year education both inside and outside of the classroom," said Gopalakrishnan, who in 2024 volunteered in the pediatric emergency department at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J. "The Fulbright grant has been a wonderful life experience for me, and the Office of Distinguished Fellowships played a great part in helping me obtain this position."

Gopalakrishnan, of Piscataway, N.J., discusses his love for New Jersey, learning "the most spoken language in the world" and beginning his pre-med studies.

Describe your Fulbright experience.

I was an English teaching assistant in Yilan County, a county southeast of Taipei in Taiwan. While traditionally rural, it has experienced a great deal of development over the last three decades and continues to develop further.

I have spent the last year teaching at two elementary schools, both in rural, poorer areas.

What have you gained from your time in Taiwan?

I have made many wonderful friends, both local friends and fellow English teaching assistants from the United States. I have become better at talking with and communicating with people, both children and adults, thanks to my teaching. Through experiencing adversity and overcoming it, I've learned to handle anxiety and negative emotions in general much better.

Rutgers graduate Deepak Gopalakrishnan (back row, right of center) and several other Yilan County English teaching assistants celebrate his birthday in March at the Lan Elephant Cafe in Yilan, Taiwan.

How do you plan to apply what you have learned from your time abroad?

The interpersonal skills I've gained from teaching as an English teaching assistant will be helpful in my medical pursuits in the future.

I can also use the knowledge of Taiwanese society and culture I've gained to be a more educated global citizen in the future. I can enlighten my friends and family in the United States regarding the good and bad aspects of Taiwan and how they are similar to and differ from the good and bad aspects of the United States.

By doing this, perhaps we can improve the quality of life in both Taiwan and the U.S.A.

Rutgers graduate Deepak Gopalakrishnan dressed as "No-Face," a character from the animated film "Spirited Away," for Gu Ting Elementary School's Halloween celebration.

What drew you to Rutgers?

I am from New Jersey, I love New Jersey and I thus love Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Why study Chinese?

I like learning languages, and Chinese is the most spoken language in the world. By learning Chinese, I could connect with millions of people around the world. I thought it would be fun to study a subject in the humanities, as I never had done much of that in high school.

What are your plans after your Fulbright experience?

Being abroad for a year made me realize I love my family and don't want to live away from them long-term, at least for now.

I plan to pursue medicine, continue my hobbies and hang out with the family and friends I've missed so much.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Learning languages, fitness and exercise and coffee and cafés.