Studying abroad in Taipei has greatly opened up my perspective, both in terms of my personal identity as an Asian American and in reflecting on the challenges of stepping out of my comfort zone. Before coming to Taipei, the only thing I was looking forward to was good food at great prices. Now, I am happy to say that my study abroad experience has exceeded my initial expectations.

One funny thing that happened while I was here is that the restaurant owners kept asking, “你是香港人？” which means "Are you Hongkongese?" I assume they have that impression of me because of my appearance and my mixed-up tones while trying to order food.

During my time here, I traveled to many tourist sites like 九份 (Jiufen), 淡水 (Tamsui), and 宜蘭 (Yilan). Every single trip allowed me to see the deep integration between this beautiful culture and the local people, especially through the lens of trying their local food.

While I did step out of my comfort zone in various ways, I would say one of my greatest improvements has been in my relationships with friends from all around the world. I learned to never assume what I know about them and to always take the initiative to understand their perspectives better. As long as both sides are happy, we can create an awesome experience together. Time is limited, so there’s no need to dwell on the unchangeable past or the uncertain future; as long as we are happy right now, that is all that matters.

One key takeaway from this experience is that new people come and go. We had a great time hiking through gorgeous scenic areas, wandering through different night market stands, and trying out new exotic cuisines, like stinky tofu, together. Although all of these experiences have come to an end and there is a good chance I won’t see my friends in Taipei again, the memories we created together will last forever. I’m glad I took this opportunity, and I let it shape my view of my identity and my willingness to try new things instead of wondering, “What if?”

Name: Shane Patrarungrong
Status: Senior
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: St. Joseph, Michigan
Program: National Taiwan University - International Chinese Language