This past weekend we went to Yilan and Hualien to see a
different perspective of Taiwan – the more rural county side. We left Friday afternoon, after our Chinese
class – which did not go as well as I would have liked because we had another
test that I was unprepared for. On the way to Yilan, the bus ride was
terrifying and slightly nauseating. The bus driver drove at high speeds,
shaking my body and making it extremely uncomfortable to sleep. Akeel and I
tried to pass the time by reading our books, and playing various paper games
until we both felt nauseous. We then decided it would be best if we take a nap,
and after we both woke up we agreed that the nauseous feeling went away. Other
than the constantly turning and twisting, the views were spectacular. I felt
that I was on a tropical island looking out at the mountainous view with bright
blue waters, it was very different that Maryland because Maryland has a flat terrain
with green/brown Chesapeake Bay waters. In Yilan we experienced a DIY project,
and had a chance to appreciate the nature and beauty that Taiwan has by walking
around the Barn. The Barn hotel was wonderful, with a panel window and large sized
beds. We also enjoyed hot pot and a Wushu performance, and Zack also performed that
night! It was very exciting to watch. The following day, we went to Hualien.
Hualien gave me the impression that the people living there have been living
there for a while because the place seemed very “run down” and did not seem
that the economy was flourishing in that area. We saw a performance performed
by the aboriginal people, and even though Dr. Liu said she was not impressed, I
personally found it very entertaining and I enjoyed participating with the
dancing portion. After that, we went to a market, and then went back home to
Taipei.
My
focus this week is to compare and contrast classroom etiquette between Taiwan
and America. One thing that I noticed today was that in Taiwan, when a teacher
gives back an assignment, she will discuss what you did wrong right in front of
you. This may be convenient and efficient, but it slightly makes me feel
uncomfortable because I am definitely doing the worst in the class right now.
It just makes me feel that everyone knows that I made a lot of mistakes on my
homework assignment. Also, the teacher points out who did well in the class –
and I am sure that she means well, but it almost makes me feel that people who
do well get recognized. In America, we do not display or announce other
students’ grades in the classroom. In America, it is even awkward to discuss
grades with other students. We do not even ask another student what grade they
got in the class because that is the student’s personal business. In Taiwan, I
think that it is okay for student’s to know each other’s grades, because all
the students in my class are very open with sharing what grades they got. Sometimes
they will even come over to my desk and just casually take my homework or test
to see how I did. I am not too upset by this because I think it is a cultural thing,
it is just a little awkward knowing that everyone else knows how I am doing in
the class. One more thing that I noticed is the Taiwanese obsession with owl
products. I am a really big fan of owls, because they are my favorite animal. I
have noticed that in almost every souvenir place that we have been to there
have been owl products. I am wondering if owls are just popular right now in
Taiwanese culture, or if owls have a deeper meaning to the culture itself.
This
upcoming week is very stressful because I have two oral presentations to prepare
for, a test, and an essay to write. So I will be very busy working on my studies.
Also, we are going to a Taiwanese opera and then we are going to
过我的室友的生日。 但是这是一个密密， 所以他不知道明天我们过他的生日！
This past weekend we went to Yilan and Hualien to see a
different perspective of Taiwan – the more rural county side. We left Friday afternoon, after our Chinese
class – which did not go as well as I would have liked because we had another
test that I was unprepared for. On the way to Yilan, the bus ride was
terrifying and slightly nauseating. The bus driver drove at high speeds,
shaking my body and making it extremely uncomfortable to sleep. Akeel and I
tried to pass the time by reading our books, and playing various paper games
until we both felt nauseous. We then decided it would be best if we take a nap,
and after we both woke up we agreed that the nauseous feeling went away. Other
than the constantly turning and twisting, the views were spectacular. I felt
that I was on a tropical island looking out at the mountainous view with bright
blue waters, it was very different that Maryland because Maryland has a flat terrain
with green/brown Chesapeake Bay waters. In Yilan we experienced a DIY project,
and had a chance to appreciate the nature and beauty that Taiwan has by walking
around the Barn. The Barn hotel was wonderful, with a panel window and large sized
beds. We also enjoyed hot pot and a Wushu performance, and Zack also performed that
night! It was very exciting to watch. The following day, we went to Hualien.
Hualien gave me the impression that the people living there have been living
there for a while because the place seemed very “run down” and did not seem
that the economy was flourishing in that area. We saw a performance performed
by the aboriginal people, and even though Dr. Liu said she was not impressed, I
personally found it very entertaining and I enjoyed participating with the
dancing portion. After that, we went to a market, and then went back home to
Taipei. 
My
focus this week is to compare and contrast classroom etiquette between Taiwan
and America. One thing that I noticed today was that in Taiwan, when a teacher
gives back an assignment, she will discuss what you did wrong right in front of
you. This may be convenient and efficient, but it slightly makes me feel
uncomfortable because I am definitely doing the worst in the class right now.
It just makes me feel that everyone knows that I made a lot of mistakes on my
homework assignment. Also, the teacher points out who did well in the class –
and I am sure that she means well, but it almost makes me feel that people who
do well get recognized. In America, we do not display or announce other
students’ grades in the classroom. In America, it is even awkward to discuss
grades with other students. We do not even ask another student what grade they
got in the class because that is the student’s personal business. In Taiwan, I
think that it is okay for student’s to know each other’s grades, because all
the students in my class are very open with sharing what grades they got. Sometimes
they will even come over to my desk and just casually take my homework or test
to see how I did. I am not too upset by this because I think it is a cultural thing,
it is just a little awkward knowing that everyone else knows how I am doing in
the class. One more thing that I noticed is the Taiwanese obsession with owl
products. I am a really big fan of owls, because they are my favorite animal. I
have noticed that in almost every souvenir place that we have been to there
have been owl products. I am wondering if owls are just popular right now in
Taiwanese culture, or if owls have a deeper meaning to the culture itself. 
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