Program and Location:
Spring, National Taiwan University, Taipei Taiwan
Major/Minor:
Asian Language Major and Biological Sciences Minor
Why did you choose to study abroad?
I chose to study abroad to gain better language skills in Mandarin Chinese. I was also very interested in Taiwanese culture and wanted to live abroad from a young age. I met exchange students from other host universities who studied at NC State and they seemed to value and see the importance in their time abroad, so I wanted an experience like they had.
How did you pick your program?
I was looking for a school that would fit well with my major. More specifically, I wanted to study in a country that I could practice Chinese on the streets and in restaurants, not just in my classes. Taiwan also stood out to me because other students in the Asian Language major had traveled to Taipei to study at National Taiwan University and had positive reports.
What is something you learned about yourself? How are you different? How are you the same? Or, what did you realize about your own culture by living in another one?
I learned that I can accomplish harder things than I initially thought I could. When living abroad, you are forced to learn new ways of doing things that you wouldn’t have learned by staying at home. I feel that I am both the same and different after coming home from Taiwan. I am the same in the sense that my values and what I love have remained the same, but I interact with people differently because I learned how to have conversations with people from all over the world. In some of my classes in Taiwan, the message of the Western world being an individualistic society and the East portraying collectivism was often emphasized. However, from my observations, I feel that people from all countries, whether or not they are located in the Eastern world long for community and need their family and friends. I also realized that people in Taiwan have many stereotypes about Americans, especially related to the food we eat and our habits in the home. One Taiwanese friend asked me if Americans sleep with their shoes on. She must have heard that we sometimes wear our shoes in the house so assumed we never take them off!
What advice would you give to another student?
If you are considering studying abroad, I would say to go for it! Even if your experience abroad brings many challenges, the friends you get to meet make it completely worth it. While abroad, I would recommend asking for help whenever you need it! When I first arrived in Taiwan, I wanted to try to figure things out on my own but soon realized I needed a lot of help. I never regretted asking for directions or where to find something in a store. Most people are very kind and willing to help. Other advice I would give is to give it your all when you are studying abroad. Don’t spend all your time in your room. Go out, explore, and just take time to grow familiar with your new campus and city!
How did you connect with locals and/or meet local friends?
National Taiwan University (NTU) offered several courses in English, and many Taiwanese students signed up for those classes. One of my classes in particular was a literature class designed for Foreign Language majors at NTU. I was in a presentation group with three others, so that was an easy way to spend a lot of time with local students. One of my best friends I made in Taipei was a local Taiwanese student. We met spontaneously at the campus waffle stand and after our first meeting we would have dinner together each week. She brought me to explore many of the places she loved in Taiwan, including several night markets. I also met locals through the church I attended in Taipei. I would go to the Sunday service and a small group for college students during the week. Everyone there was very welcoming and made it easy for me to connect with locals!
Would you do it again?
Absolutely.
