What I Learnt from Two Weeks in Taiwan

Taiwan

Ayane Chiba, 3rd Year, 2nd Year, Department of Electrical Engineering
Study Period: Saturday, August 23–Saturday, September 6, 2025

I participated in a two-week Chinese language training program at Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

I walked from my hotel to the university every day. Chinese classes were held for four hours per day. The Wenzao students acted as instructors, providing morning lectures and afternoon oral practice in a mini-game format to reinforce the morning lesson. Most participating students were beginners in Chinese; therefore, the instructors carefully taught us the basics, including pinyin and tones, using slides and gestures. Many of the phrases and expressions we learned in class were practical for everyday life and, very helpful during my stay in Taiwan.

I also enjoyed various activities organized for cultural experiences and interactions with local students, such as making pineapple cakes, preparing instant drinks from grains, and sightseeing in Tainan.

Meeting my tutor for the first time

After class, each pair of Japanese students was assigned a local student tutor. With their guidance, I conducted self-directed research, explored various sightseeing spots, ate dinner at night markets, and　gained close experiences of daily life in Taiwan. Since this was my first time abroad, I was initially anxious, but my tutor recommended shops and provided hands-on support, which was helpful.

Ruifeng Night Market

Kaohsiung has many sights not found in Japan, including the Ruifeng Night Market and the Pier-2 Art Center. The night market, in particular, exceeded my expectations—I imagined small festival stalls, but the market was so large that it was impossible to see everything. Locals frequent the Ruifeng Night Market, which offers not only Taiwanese food but also clothing, accessories, games, massages, and nail services. It is an essential part of the community.

Pier-2 Art Center

Although the program lasted for only two weeks, I was able to experience Taiwan’s unique culture in my daily life. The people of Taiwan were kind and friendly, and I was impressed by how warmly they treated me once they knew I was Japanese.

The most important lesson learned during this program was the importance of taking action. In the first few days, I often hesitated to speak, worrying about being misunderstood, or receiving a cold response. However, I realized that even saying a few words with courage often worked, which boosted my confidence. I learned that it was essential to communicate with confidence.

Experiencing different cultures and perspectives challenged my preconceptions and helped me develop an international mindset. I realized that understanding not only a language but also the culture is crucial.

Through this training, even as someone who is not naturally confident learning foreign languages, I enjoyed communicating in Chinese and gained self-confidence. Every experience during the program became a cherished memory. I plan to continue studying Chinese and hope to visit Taiwan again the following year. I will not forget the knowledge and experiences I have gained and will continue to actively engage in international exchange.