So many of my friends here have been asking what I have been writing in my blog recently and because only one of my friends here can read finnish, but almost everyone of my friends and relatives in Finland can read English I decided to try my best to write some post in English too. I also promise to try to write in Chinese in some point, but I think I still need little bit more time to gather more courage for that. But I can promise that this Chinese post will definitely come someday! :)
Even though I have been speaking and writing English everyday last tree months and my speaking has been improving very much I am still quite bad with writing in English so forgive me my mistakes that I will probably make a lot during this text.
I have now live here in Taiwan almost tree months. I have to say that the relationship between me and Taiwan was almost love at first sight, after the first day. First day here was horrible, my two-person dorm room changed to four-person dorm room, toilets were super weird hole in the floor toilets, I felt like nobody can speak English, I could't find any other exchange student, weather was way too hot and food was also bad. But like I said, after the first good night sleep my whole attitude towards Taiwan changed and now I can honestly say I love almost everything in here. I have not even suffered from homesickness at all, not a single time.
If I would have a choice to stay here longer I would definitely do that because this place is more than incredible!
1. PEOPLE
I can't say I have been traveling super much but I can still say I have never met people friendlier and happier than the Taiwanese. They always offer to help and love talking to foreigners. Taiwanese are incredibly hospitable and genuinely kind. Chances are you won’t ever have to ask for help, if you even look like you are in need someone will already be there to help you.
I think everybody should come to Taiwan to learn how to treat other people, make new friends and just how to enjoy life to the fullest without forgetting other people.
2. WEATHER
Even though my first couple months in here were a constant battle against sweat I can't complain, because for example last weekend, December 3rd and 4th, I was wearing a skirt, t-shirt and flip-flops. I think that would sound quite perfect winter weather for anyone from norther hemisphere, right? And I do not even live in the southern part of Taiwan were the temperature continues to remain the heat readings and the only thing you can do is lay on the beach! You also should not forget typhoons and other special weather conditions which will make your stay in Taiwan even more exciting!
3. NIGHT MARKETS
Night markets are an important part of Taiwanese culture and even though at first they felt a little bit overwhelming they still transform into one of my favorite part of Taiwan.
Streets are lined with food stalls serving up everything from chicken hearts to stinky tofu and shaved ice. You also should be prepared to finagle the crowds and scooters to find what you want and you’ll leave with a full stomach and authentic Taiwanese experience.
4. BUBBLE TEA
If someone is not yet understood my love for bubble tea, they should read my older posts again. Well, actually, it’s the bubbles (tapioca pearls) at the bottom of the drink that are my favorite, but anyhow Taiwan is the bubble tea paradise. Bubble tea was invented here, and tea shops are even more popular than Starbucks or 7-Eleven. From this shops you can find incredible amount of different tea flavors from the classical milk bubble tea even to exotic fruit teas and smoothies.
5. FRUITS
Persimmons, passion fruits, dragon fruits, guavas, watermelons, mangos, apples, grapes, pineapples.. You name it, they have it! For me as a fruit lover this is like a paradise. I can just buy a box of pineapples, guavas and persimmons straight from the campus cafeteria when I am going to the class or wash away my sugar cravings with a fresh piece of watermelon or mango. If you really love fruits as much as I do you should be already booking your flights to Taiwan.
6. CHINESE LANGUAGE
I have been studying Mandarin Chinese almost three months now and I totally love it. I love speaking my bad Chinese, trying to understand at least some words when Taiwanese people are speaking it and guessing what different characters might mean. If you go trough the internet you will find a lot of articles etc. about how hard is it to learn Chinese and even though many of my friends are not agree with me I will say that I think learning Chinese is not that hard that many people think. Okey, I only know maybe 10-20 characters but I think my vocabulary capacity and knowledge about grammar is quite fine after only three months of studying.
So if you have ever even thinking of studying Chinese you should definitely do that, and of course come here to study it because you will learn twice as fast as for example in Finland. Characters will be pain in the ass, but the Chinese language itself is so beautiful to hear and quite easy to speak when you just learn enough words and tones and grammar and ten different s, z, q -sounds and, and, and… Easy like I said!
So what are you waiting for, this beautiful island and these wonderful things are waiting for you here!
