Truth be told, I didn’t expect to be accepted to this program. The closest to weather in Taiwan that I’ve experienced would probably be the suffocating heat of Cancun, but Taiwan still surpasses the latter by far. Fortunately, apartment hunting wasn’t too difficult, since a family member’s friend’s best friend introduced a place to me (yes, somehow all East Asians know each other). Settling into Kaohsiung was actually very easy. Being of Chinese descent, I could easily pass for a Taiwanese person, until I opened my mouth. For those concerned about finding their way around, the MRT, the equivalent of the MTA, includes English as well. However, you’ll have to download an app called Bus+ if you need to navigate areas in Kaohsiung using buses. Moreover, Google Maps is reliable in terms of reviews and directions, but don’t put too much trust in the approximate arrival and departure times of buses given by any app other than Bus+.
A warning given by a professor prior to applying was that you must be prepared to be independent. In contrast to some of the people around me, I didn’t experience homesickness, and I didn’t hesitate to communicate in Chinese. After all, while New Yorkers are a different breed, Taiwanese people are very friendly. The Mandarin teachers in Taiwan are not necessarily proficient in English, so be prepared to have class for three hours every weekday in full Chinese, with no English subtitles. Unless, of course, you download Pleco. You must complete a proficiency exam one week prior to classes, and spend an adequate amount of time studying after school each day, in order to succeed academically. As long as you’re consistent, there shouldn’t be any issues. Unlike classes with ten students, my class only had four other students, so we were quite close-knit. Attending class was more enjoyable, given the cozy atmosphere and the approachable personalities of our educators.
Since I was in a foreign country using NTD (New Taiwan Dollar), whose value pales in comparison to the US dollar, it’s important to keep a record of your expenses and plan accordingly. My monthly expenses were around $600-$700 USD on average, excluding the monthly stipend given by Huayu, so I would recommend having access to at least $2000 USD on hand. The stipend mostly went to paying rent and the bills, which left me flabbergasted, considering the prices of rentals in New York. Financially speaking, this program is one of the best offered by Hunter, since Hunter College provides a flight ticket reimbursement up to $3000 USD, and you receive a $450 USD monthly stipend from the Huayu program associated with Wenzao.
Although Kaohsiung is not as lively as Taipei, the city has its own charms. Museums like the Pier 2 Art Center are scattered throughout the city, along with scenic spots such as Cijin Beach, Sizihwan Beach, or Shoushan Mountain, also coined as Monkey Mountain. One of the teachers said Taiwanese people love going to malls and shopping (even during typhoons) because of the free air conditioning, so make an effort to visit some of them! After all, Dream Mall has a ferris wheel on the roof that provides both a stunning view of the sunset, as well as a student discount. That being said, keep in mind that many educational centers like aquariums or zoos also provide student discounts in Taiwan, making them a nice pastime.
In terms of food, visiting the popular night markets of Kaohsiung are a must; Ruifeng Night Market and Liuhe Night Market are the biggest ones in the city, with cheap and tasty street food. To keep your health in check, make sure to eat home cooked food or grab something from 7/11 on a regular basis. Another option is to get boxed lunches from health food restaurants, of which there are two in the vicinity of Wenzao.
My advice is to take this chance and apply, because this summer was the best I’ve experienced in my life. The people I’ve become friends with over the course of this trip hold a special place in my heart, and I still chat with them on a regular basis.