¡@¡@How does Taiwan touch my heart? Seems a simple enough question, but just to answer that question in a simple word or a sentence just wouldn't be enough.
¡@¡@Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed of traveling, and yes that is a dream that I believe is wished by everyone, well for me it was not as easy to chase after.
¡@¡@I have always been attracted to the Asian Culture; I always wanted to meet this side of the world because for me it is the most dynamic continent and represents endless opportunities. When I heard about this program and having the chance to come to Taiwan I was beyond thrilled. I applied as soon as possible and now I am here.
It's been six months since my arrival on Isla Formosa and there has not been a day where I regret coming here; I've been happy with my study program and I love the fact that there is always someone or someplace new to meet.
¡@¡@Taiwan touches my heart in many ways, both professionally and socially. The people in Taiwan are always very kind and willing to help you, even though we have a big language barrier, they still find a way to help however they can.
Taiwan represents a unique vision of how I would like my country to eventually develop into. It is almost hard to believe in how organized Taiwan is. Little details such as standing on the right side of the escalator at the MRT station to let the others passengers pass if they're more in a hurry than you are. Details which may seem completely logical and normal to this country, could make a big difference in mine. Everything is so organized and clean. I often tell my friends from back home that it is unbelievable the amount of people on this small island and how organized they are; my country may be bigger but it lacks this coordination.¡@
There is also little crime here, I love that, and you can just walk around and not be worried about being assaulted. In my case, like many other foreigners, I have the freedom to take out my cell phone to look for an address, to me, this is a luxury that I sadly cannot have back home.
I have also met so many people here; Taiwan is a place where many cultures come together. I have met people from all over the world and I've had some very unique experiences. One of my recent experiences is the Hindu Holi Festival which was a completely new experience for me, I met incredible people from India, hung out with friends from all over the world and I also met Taiwanese people that were just as happy as I was to participate in this event. It is always very lovely to meet Taiwanese people embracing all other cultures also.
I love that Taiwan makes the most out of everything they have to offer, they take nothing for granted. I recently visited Miaoli, a place where they have strawberry farms, it was so beautiful to me because I had never seen a strawberry farm and besides going I also had the pleasure of picking and cutting the strawberry's to enjoy for myself! After that you can just go into town and enjoy lots of foods, snacks and drinks all strawberry based.
It really touches my heart how Taiwan is so proud of everything they have whether it's a pottery museum or an eagle shaped rock on top of a mountain, they make the most out of it. It is something I would like my own country to embrace because, like Taiwan, we have many beautiful things.
Taiwan has touched my heart; showing me a side of them that I didn't know could be so excitedly beautiful and that is permanently going to change the way that I see my life, my country and the world.
