I’m really excited (and almost equally nervous) to be flying out to Taiwan in a little over a week from today! It’s been wonderful getting to know Prof. Chen, Prof. Young, and all of the others who will be going on this trip, and I’m looking forward to growing closer once we’re there. I’m also very stoked for some of the activities we have lined up on our itinerary, especially the ones where we will get to meet people. My main goals are to make new friends and experience as many things as I can that I would not be able to do outside of Taiwan.
We’ll have so much free time, I’m not sure what I’m going to do with it all. This week leading up to the trip is definitely going to be focused on planning and trying to pick up a few phrases in Mandarin, which is another thing I’m a little nervous about. I’m sure communication will work out just fine even if it pushes me out of my comfort zone a little, but that is honestly also something I’m looking forward to! I can’t wait to experience the culture in Taiwan, and I’ll be back soon with a new update.
It is completely natural to feel a mix of excitement and nerves before a trip like this, especially one filled with so many opportunities for new experiences and personal growth. You seem to be approaching it with precisely the right mindset: open-minded, curious, and ready to embrace both the familiar and the unknown. This will also be my first time serving as a tour guide, and I can only hope things do not go sideways too often!
Your focus on building connections and immersing yourself in the local culture will undoubtedly make the journey even more meaningful. Learning a few phrases in Mandarin is a wonderful idea; even a small effort to communicate in the local language can go a long way in creating mutual respect and forming deeper connections with Taiwanese people.
Make the most of every moment, whether during our planned activities or in the quieter stretches of free time, which often lead to the most surprising and memorable experiences. I am looking forward to hearing about all that you discover in your next update!