after 3 months

May 22 was the last day of class. It was truly a wonderful experience to study abroad. You not only learn a new knowledge, but also learn about the culture of other nations. Seeing and meeting so many citizens of various countries makes me reflect during my CISV experience 12 years ago. It was when I attended a summer camp in Bacolod participated my young delegates from across the globe. Here in Taiwan, the feeling is similar. I now have new friends with different and unique backgrounds and races. For 3 months, we felt special... I guess because we are foreigners here. The Taiwanese people are generally helpful and hospitable. Though they speak a few English words (and sometimes none at all), many try to convey their message through actions and through their smiles.

It's fun to be a foreign student because you can act stupid... hehehe. You are free to do whatever, because you know a few of their rules and customs and you can act as if you knew nothing (including the language). You can just be a dummy because everything you see and feel is fairly new to you and it makes you wonder with awe. It makes you act like a kid again when a kid learns and sees something for the first time. It's like being a foreign student- when for the first time you eat a weird local food, witness a unique local tradition, hear an exotic local music and see a beautiful local place.. the feeling is like a child seeing a nice toy or a yummy ice cream.

Overall, my Taiwan experience is great (and it's not over yet!!)

*by the way, I passed with flying colors in my Mandarin class :-)