The Doyle Engaging Difference Program - Georgetown University

Traveling to Taiwan for the first time with my family on vacation and then going back six years later to study abroad is unlike any experience I could have imagined. I fell in love with the island back then, and studying abroad allowed me to immerse myself within the culture and create more amazing memories. Whether it be through exploring the city, admiring beautiful landscapes, or enjoying the lively evening city scenes, my growing understanding of Taiwanese culture, food, and traditions shaped my time abroad.

To introduce us to life in Taiwan and increase our confidence in speaking Mandarin with people our age, we were each paired with two language partners. Every week I would meet with Julia and Doris and we’d go around the city exploring places even they had never been to before. We loved trying different fusion cuisines, finishing an escape room solely in Mandarin, and shopping in local outdoor marketplaces. We also sought out cultural activities such as playing ancient musical instruments and learning to make the famous Taiwanese pineapple cakes from scratch (one of my favorite treats from my initial trip to Taiwan).

Although Taipei is a metropolis with skyscrapers and temples standing side by side, I saw an extraordinary amount of nature interspersed. On the way to university, I would see a public park every few blocks. They resembled ones in the U.S. with common playground sets but also included outdoor exercise equipment and a wide variety of plant life. I often saw groups of older women and men gathering in the early mornings to partake a in group exercise, whether it be yoga, Tai Chi, or ballroom dancing. I was fascinated to see this sense of community created around being outdoors. Our host university, National Taiwan University, also boasted a beautiful selection of flowers and trees that had us wanting to be outside as much as we could.

On the weekends, I visited the island’s natural wonders from Laomei Green Reef, formed from lava from the Datun Mountain volcanoes, to Shifen Waterfall (Taiwan’s Niagara Falls) where the rocks along the waterfall go against the flow of the water. My favorite trip was to Yehliu Geopark at the Northern tip of Taiwan where once again, I was fascinated by the sandy colored ground and grand rock formations overlooking the coast. Six years ago, my family visited the very same geopark. We saw the unique geologic formations such as “The Queen’s Head” and had taken a photo back then. When I returned to Yehliu Geopark during my study abroad experience, I knew I had to take a photo in the same place. Putting those two pictures side by side, I saw how the neck of the rock had narrowed in a mere six years. This is the result of natural erosion by the wind and sea due to the close proximity to the coast. I’ll be interested to visit in another few years to see how the landscape has changed.

In addition to the beautiful nature and scenery, Taipei is a city that transforms at night. I remember begging my parents to go to a night market every night back then, and sure enough, it became my favorite place to grab a bite during my semester abroad. Each night market has stands where families have perfected one dish and passed the recipe down, generation to generation. You can even find Michelin-awarded stalls at these night markets! I marveled at the sight of my favorite foods such as scallion pancakes (chong you bing), sweet potato balls (digua chou), oyster omelets (o-a-chian), and pork belly buns (gua bao). Thanks to Doris and Julia, I came back with an even greater appreciation for Taiwanese delicacies, the craft, and the dedication of the vendors. The culture and community around night markets made them one of the highlights of my study abroad.

Studying abroad also provided me with the opportunity to engage in celebrations such as the Mid-Autumn Festival and Taiwan National Day. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a holiday celebrating family unity in honor of Chang'e, the goddess of the moon. There is a lot of religious symbolism with the full moon which is said to be the brightest on this day, representing completeness and family reunion. We rode the Maokong Gondola that night to look at the full moon and think about our loved ones. We later joined the neighborhood barbeque with drinks, music, and raffles all through the night as it is a tradition to celebrate together, sharing mooncakes and pomelos.

Leading up to Taiwan National Day, Taipei hosts exhibitions that showcase Taiwan’s history and culture. On October 10, we saw President Lai Ching-te deliver an address titled “Taiwan Together for Our Shared Dream.” In reference to Taiwan’s two main political parties, he said, “national interests come before the interests of parties, and the interests of parties can never take precedence over the interests of the people.” I found this to be a powerful statement on political unity. We continued the celebrations by going to Taipei 101, a 101-floor skyscraper, to see fireworks beautifully lit across the night sky to celebrate the one hundred and thirteenth Double Tenth National Day. It was special to see the shared ideals and community as everyone came to see the skyscraper’s first ever National Day fireworks show.

It was an incredible experience living abroad in Taiwan, a country I had dreamed of returning to, while experiencing it in a whole new way. After revisiting the places and indulging in the culinary delicacies I remembered so fondly, I now have a new appreciation and deeper understanding of the architectural design, religious and political traditions, and intricacies of cuisine and society.