While it takes me longer to order food at restaurants--sometimes to the point that I end up holding up the line--I am not met with impatience, but rather, people trying to help me by pointing at pictures or explaining what I need to know in their broken English. This type of treatment is vastly different from what I have felt living in other Asian places, which is why I love living in Taiwan so much.
This unassuming, friendly atmosphere has helped me quickly blend into Taiwanese culture. My teaching passions have connected me with a classroom of students and teachers in the 大树 (Big Tree) community. Through English teaching and learning, my students have taught me the value of international education and what is means to embrace my two identities. My co-teachers are role models who have shaped me to not only become a better teacher, but also shared with me a part of their lives in Taiwan. My series of host families have driven me to the beautiful mountains and wilder landscapes of Taiwan. My Mandarin language partner and teachers have taught me how to navigate Taiwanese life using certain phrases and jargon. Lastly, my crowd of international friends--both domestic and fellow English teachers--have shown me the day-to-day joys of living, loving and traveling in Taiwan through various road trips filled with delicious foods, songs, and new challenges every day, whether joining the gym or learning to jetski.
To me, Taiwan is more than just a place full of great foods and people. Taiwan is also a place that is trying to find its place and identity in the world. While it is a small island of 24 million people, Taiwan's culture is strongly rooted in history but also focused on modern-day societies.
