Why did I choose Taiwan

Hello there! Because of FEA, I had the opportunity to have a great summer, and I’d want to briefly discuss why I picked the location and program I did.

First of all, I chose Taiwan because it’s a really cool country that welcomes everyone, especially LGBT people. In fact, it is the only location in East Asia where same-sex marriage is legal! No matter who they are or who they love, Taiwanese people feel that everyone deserves to be treated with decency and respect. That, in my opinion, is fantastic and adds to Taiwan’s uniqueness and inclusiveness. The teachers and students at NTU welcomed me with smiles and kindness when I got there. Despite the fact that I was far from home, they made me feel like I belonged. This welcoming environment made me feel at ease and motivated to learn Chinese.

Now let’s discuss the language courses at NTU. They were extremely fun! Learning Chinese was made fun by the understanding and attentive instructors. We engaged in fun activities, sang songs, and played games to help us recall new words and phrases. I was able to practice my Chinese outside of class when I was in Taiwan, which made me feel proud of my development. Additionally, it allowed me to study Mandarin Chinese from a new angle! Although they both speak a version of Chinese, the mainland and Taiwan have very different dialects. Both speak Chinese that is very distinct from one another, just like English is very different between England and America!

But I didn’t just choose Taiwan to because of the language, I choose Taiwan because of the landscape that ranges from breath taking mountains, to beaches and everything in-between. There is so much to discover in Taiwan’s natural beauty and urban areas. There were breath-taking sights wherever I looked! You can reach anything from oceans to mountains in just a half-hour train journey in any direction. Additionally, Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is a really cool place. With bustling night markets and sky-touching towers, the city is alive with vitality. One of the tallest structures in the world, Taipei 101, was visited by us.

As I reflect on my experience, I am glad for the memories and lessons I have learnt. Studying Chinese at National Taiwan University was the best decision I’ve ever made! I not only improved my language skills, but I also got to know the Taiwanese people and marvel at their country’s natural beauty. If you ever get the opportunity to study abroad, I recommend Taiwan. It’s a place where you may learn and grow while also feeling appreciated for who you are. Taiwan will always have a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to return someday to discover even more of its enchantment!