Reflections

I couldn't resist putting in a video for this song

Surprise! So I'm in Taichung--台中!

Taichung--which I kindly circled in red for you--is just about a two-hour bus ride away from Taipei 

Actually, I have been in Taichung for about a two weeks now, on account of an internship (more on that another time), and meant to do this post a lot earlier (ie. when I was still in Taipei or at least on the bus to Taichung), but did not exactly have free time (I still had a paper to finish!) or internet access for that matter.

Anyways, with my semester at NTU over, I thought I would do a little post reflecting (again, I meant to write this a lot earlier) on my time in Taipei, at NTU, and just abroad in general.

So back when I was still a wee sophomore attending all these study abroad fairs to prepare myself for a semester (or two) abroad, one thing that I heard often, from both students and teachers alike, is that your study abroad experience will change you. After my semester in South Korea, I have to admit, I didn't feel any different, nor did I think I really changed that much. I did realize however, that I am terribly lacking in social skills and that I am a lot more introverted than I realized. Although these realizations came a bit too late, it helped me prepare better for my time here in Taiwan. Now I admit, at the end of it all, I'm still the shy, quiet, introvert that I was before coming here, but I will say that I at least made a lot more of an effort to try to get out of my comfort zone, to work on my social skills, and to get out there and meet people. Did I always succeed? No, but for each of my failures I'd like to think that I learned a little something, either about myself, or about how to interact with others.

So have I changed? Like I said, I'm still shy and introverted, but I would say that I've gotten a little better at not shying away from any and all social situations all the time. Moreover, and this may have to do with being in Asia for a whole year or the fact that I follow a lot of Asian Americans on YouTube, but I've become more aware of the issues surrounding media representation/portrayal of different ethnicities in the U.S. I am in no way an expert on these issues, but I think I just now am starting to realize how big the disparity is between the way media portrays different groups of people or even who you see on TV. Anyways, on to less heavy material.


Things I Have Learned

1. Sometimes You Just Have to Be Bold
   That is not to say of course that you should be someone you're not, but if you want to make friends, you can't always expect others to come up to you. Sometimes you have to make the first move. And/or the second. Maybe even the third. Friendship cannot be maintained by one side alone after all. That means striking up conversation, inviting others to eat with you, planning a hang out and following through with it, etc... And of course, being open to trying new things, foods, experiences. Don't write something off just because you're afraid (unless it's life-threatening or against your morals) or because you find it strange; go out there and try new things, broaden your horizons, your viewpoints!
2. Things Aren't Always Going to Go the Way You Want and That's Okay
   Sometimes people make plans and don't follow through with it. Sometimes you hit it off with someone but then you don't really hear from them again. Sometimes you find you have absolutely nothing in common with someone and so have nothing to converse about. And sometimes you're just absolutely confused and frustrated maybe because of a cultural difference or language barrier. The most important thing is to not let it get to you. Coming to a new country by yourself for the very first time (or maybe not even for the first time) can be scary and lonely and I admit, I got quite homesick the first month or so that I was in Taiwan. I missed my home, family, and friends terribly and wanted to wallow away in my room. But of course, if I had really done that, I would not have made so many good friends, gone on so many adventures, and seen so many sights. Things are not always going to go smoothly, but you should be patient, persevere, and stay positive. After all, you're in a new country, a new environment--you should make the best of your time abroad because it really can be a truly wonderful and unique experience if you let it.
3. Sometimes Being Alone is Okay Too
   Sometimes it's nice to go out with others, either in a small group or a larger group of people. But sometimes it's nice to just go out and have a meal by yourself, to explore on your own, or just take some time to yourself. Some people will get too lonely being by themselves. Some people get worn out from being around so many people; regardless you just have to find a nice balance that suits you.

Things I Wish I Knew

1. Food Vocabulary
   This is really important. Especially when you don't have a meal plan and have to go out and buy all your meals. Two years of language study will certainly leave you with a considerable wealth of vocabulary; however, one thing that I wish I knew more of were food words. A lot of times, I was just staring at a menu frustrated because I couldn't understand the menu or could only read bits and pieces of it. My solution for that I guess would be to pick up some Chinese menus (from actual Chinese restaurants--none of that Panda Buffet business--with both English and Chinese) and familiarize yourself with different types of food so that you can go prepared to eat at any restaurant.
2. Language Study
   I don't know about other languages, but I feel that for Chinese, two years of Chinese class alone is not enough to get you around. I was lucky in that, being a heritage learner, I already had a foundation from which to build upon when I started formally learning Chinese, but if you're serious about going abroad to improve your language skills, you have to do some learning and practicing outside of class too. Watch a lot of dramas, variety programs, television programs, and practice often with your native Chinese speaking friends. And when you're abroad, make the most of your time abroad. Being in Taiwan will force you to continue practicing your reading, listening, and talking skills beyond the classroom, but it doesn't count as immersion if you're only going to speak English all the time or going to places where you know they'll speak English. Of course, if you're a complete beginner, you obviously can't expect to be able to make a lot of conversation, but I've met some people who didn't start studying Chinese until they came to Taiwan and because they were always practicing their Chinese with natives, their language skill improved greatly.

Other Important Notes

1. Toilets
   A lot of the buildings and facilities in Taiwan are quite old and, as such, rather traditional, which means that in many public places, especially outside of Taipei, the bathrooms are going to have squatter toilets. Of course in fancier restaurants, or department stores, there will be seated toilets, but in many places you will find that the toilets are mostly (or all) squatter toilets with only one or two seated (usually there will be a sign on each stall indicating what kind of toilet it has).
   
   Actually quite a few places in Korea had squatters too and the first time I used one was actually in Korea, because I figured I should try it before writing it off. I admit, the first time was a little strange as I wasn't used to it, but after coming to Taiwan (especially here in Taichung), I kind of had to get used to it. While a little strange initially I don't find that it's anything to get freaked out by--I mean sure sometimes the stalls are a little dirty, but hey the same can be said for any toilet stall, sitting or squatting. And from the point of view of the Taiwanese it's cleaner than a seated toilet because you are not placing your bare bum on a seat that a bunch of other bare bums have been on and so who knows how many germs are on that toilet seat?
2. Paper
   Always have tissues/napkin paper on hand. Always. When you go out to eat. When you go to the bathroom. When you go out at all. Just have paper on hand. I actually learned this from one of my friends the first time we met (which happened to be at the Lantern Festival outing), and I thought, that's no problem, I usually have a pack of tissues with me anyways. But I soon learned what she meant. In New York, when you go out to eat, whether it's at a fancy restaurant, casual restaurant, or take-out, you will usually be  supplied with napkins, either at the table or atop your take-out container. In Taiwan you do not get tissues with your take-out and when you go out to eat, sometimes there will be a package of tissues on every table, every other table, or in tissue dispensers at the back/front of the restaurant or by the counter. Sometimes they run out of tissues. Therefore, always have tissues on hand when you go out to eat.
   
   Also when you go to the bathroom. Sometimes there will be paper in the bathroom, but not in the stalls so you have to get it before you go into the stall. Sometimes there's just no toilet paper in the bathrooms at all. Or again, they're outside the stall, but they've run out. Bathrooms in outdoor locations, such as parks, tend to be of the paperless variety so bring paper with you to the bathroom. Always, always.

Asian-American Experience

Cantonese version sung by the lovely 陳慧琳 (Kelly Chen), which is one of the three different versions featuring more traditional Chinese instrumentals--I actually really like the Cantonese versions, and no it's not due to a Canto-bias (okay maybe just a little)

This is the ABC Guide after all, and what would this reflection be without a word on the experiences of an Asian-American in Taiwan? As I have mentioned, the experiences of an Asian-American (or Asian-Canadian, or English or what have you) in Asia can be quite different from the experiences of someone who is not of Asian heritage. The biggest thing is that many people will not think twice about where you're from--they will automatically just assume you are Taiwanese. Thus, as with in Korea, when you go out, you will get treated just like any other Taiwanese (or Korean) and if they realize that you're not actually a local, they will be totally surprised. I don't know how many times people have said to me, "誒，你不是台灣人嗎?" Of course when I mention that I am in fact from the U.S. that surprises them even more. And just as in Korea, when you go out with your non-Asian friends, expect to be viewed as the interpreter. Of course other foreign students will also assume that you're a local too and will probably speak to you in Chinese. Just the other day, I ran into a pair of international students at my dorm and they greeted me in Chinese, which I admit kind of amused me and when I held the elevator for this other international student, he thanked me in Chinese.

Maybe it is from Hollywood influence, but I feel like a lot of people (in both Taiwan and Korea) think of your typical blonde-haired, blue-eyed Caucasian (or maybe just the Caucasian part) when they hear 美國人 and so there is this sort of surprised "But you don't look like an American" response when I tell them that I am from the United States. Almost always afterwards I then get asked whether I am a 華人/華僑 (of Chinese descent/overseas Chinese), whether I have lived in the U.S. my whole life, or where my parents are from. I am always a little unsure about how to answer that very last question as my family is from Vietnam but we are of Chinese descent, so do I say my parents are from Vietnam or do I say that they are 中國人? I admit I'm not always consistent with the answer I give--sometimes I give the whole from-Vietnam-but-we're-Chinese answer and sometimes I simply say 潮州人.

One of the most conflicting experiences I've had being an Asian-American in Asia is a bit of an identity crisis. As I mentioned once before in a previous post, in the U.S. I would identify as being Chinese or Asian, but in Asia I would identify as being American. At the same time though, I feel as though I don't completely fit either: I don't really keep up with American culture and so don't get American references that others make, but at the same time, despite being interested in Asian dramas, music, and culture, I can't completely 100% relate to Asians either, especially since I'm not even fluent in Chinese (or Korean). Sometimes I feel a bit like a broken Asian, made up of a bunch of different aspects and knowledge of various Asian and Chinese cultures but never quite complete, full knowledge.

One thing that I have learned from constantly being confused for Taiwanese is when to just go with it and when I should fess up. Now when I say to go with it, I don't mean to pretend that you are Taiwanese, but when they automatically assume you're Taiwanese it would be kind of silly to tell them each and every time that you aren't especially when it doesn't really matter. For example if you get asked for directions or you're out ordering food and you get asked a question about how you would like your dish. I admit that sometimes I don't understand the different options, but I just nod or go for the option that I did understand (or apologize and say I don't know in the case of the directions). Maybe winging it isn't quite the best way for learning Chinese but when you are at a busy breakfast place or restaurant it seems like it will just cause too much trouble to ask for a translation for each and every thing (like I said--my food-related vocabulary is a little lacking). When it's something important however--creating a bank account, inquiring about your A.R.C., working on a group project--you should never ever just try to wing it. I don't know about others, but I have always been self-conscious about using English when I was in Korea and Taiwan, but when it comes to important matters, such as the aforementioned ones, you should not try to pretend you understand if you don't and you should not be afraid to ask for someone who can speak English.

This doesn't quite fit in the Asian-American Experience, but I thought I would put it here anyways. One thing that I noticed, both after my semester in South Korea and in Taipei is that my English has gotten a little worse in terms of speaking and typing too. I find that I have a hard time just thinking up simple words or phrases and I think part of that has to do with the fact that while I was abroad, obviously I wasn't surrounded by English speakers nor was I reading any books or watching TV in English, whereas back in the U.S. I would be doing a lot more reading, either for class or for leisure, and of course getting a lot more exposure to English, but obviously in Taiwan and Korea there is much much less of that exposure. Even though I mix a fair amount of English into my Chinese, it's still a lot less than I'm used to. Thus I guess it's true what they say, that if you don't use it you lose it. I'm not saying that you're going to forget how to speak or write or understand English, but you might find that you have a slightly difficult time trying to think up the right word sometimes.

Final Thoughts
My semester in Taiwan has definitely been a lot more fruitful and fulfilling than my semester in Korea, for the reasons that I've been pushing myself more and coming here alone has forced me to be a little more independent, to be a little mature (I would like to think). That's not to say that I didn't enjoy my time in Korea of course--I would not trade that experience for the world--it's just that I didn't make as good use of my time there as I could have.

Being able to study in Taiwan, and in Taipei especially was a truly wonderful experience. If you ever get the chance to study in Taiwan, I really recommend studying at National Taiwan University, for its convenient location, lovely campus, diverse selection of classes (I especially recommend the Exploring Taiwan courses), and plethora of activities and festivities. I think the Gongguan area is a great place to be and just being in Taipei in general is very convenient in terms of food, shopping, entertainment, and transportation. Also the Taiwanese are so friendly and helpful and a lot of things here are actually pretty cheap (compared to New York anyways). Of course if you're ever in Taiwan, I hope you also get the chance to experience some festivals and holidays because they sure know how to celebrate (the Sky Lantern Festival in Pingxi is a must), and though my time in Taiwan is almost over (about a month and a half before I head home), I hope to be able to go out and explore more.

To close, this has been a fun semester and I am super thankful that I was able to have this opportunity to study in Taipei at NTU. I have met a lot of wonderful people here and made a fair share of friends both international and local and am so so thankful to all the people who have made this semester abroad so fun and memorable. I truly feel blessed to have met all of you. Thank you all so much! ^-^ <3 謝謝你們，我們這一輩子再遇到吧！

You didn't think I would have not included the Mandarin version of the song (sung by Coco Lee) did you?? (Although I have to admit, I don't think her voice really matches Mulan's character..)

Atop 象山 (photo courtesy of my wonderful roommate)

After calling this place home for a semester, it looks so forlorn with all my stuff packed away

Farewell, it's been a wonderful semester!