My First Overseas Experience in Taiwan
- Administrator
- 2025年10月10日
- 読了時間: 3分
B3 Mikako Harada
This summer, I participated in a short-term language training program in Taiwan through
my university. It was my first time abroad. I would like to reflect on my experiences during the program in this essay.
I had studied Mandarin for about a year and a half, but my learning had mainly focused on reading and writing, with little opportunity to practice speaking. Therefore, my goal for this program was to improve my practical communication skills in Mandarin. The host institution was National Taiwan Normal University. It is one of the most prestigious universities in Taiwan, known for training secondary school teachers. In addition, its Mandarin Training Center, established in 1956, is the most prominent language education institute in Taiwan, and many students from my university have previously participated in its programs.
The program consisted of three hours of language classes every morning. On the first day, we took an oral placement test, and based on the results, we were divided into small classes of about ten students. All classes were conducted entirely in Mandarin. At first, I struggled to understand the teacher’s instructions, but as the days went by, I gradually became able to understand them. One of the most memorable parts of the program was the recording assignments. We were required to read aloud selected passages from the textbook, record them, and submit the recordings for feedback. This task was assigned three times in total. Each time, I received detailed advice from my teacher, and I realized once again that I had difficulty pronouncing diphthongs. From now on, I would like to pay more attention to pronunciation and apply the feedback I received.
In addition to language classes, the program also included three cultural activities:
Taiwanese tea ceremony, Chinese knotting, and Tai Chi, as well as three field trips: Shifen, Jiufen, and the National Center for Traditional Arts. Thanks to our supervising professors, we also had the opportunity to meet alumni from our university who are working in Taiwan and share a meal with them, as well as visit many historical sites and popular tourist attractions.
In the latter half of the program, we had a free day. Wanting to travel farther and use different modes of transportation, I planned a short trip to Tainan. I first took the MRT to Taipei Main Station, then walked to the bus terminal to buy a ticket for Tainan. Although I managed to get on the intercity bus, I suddenly felt anxious during the ride and decided to
get off midway in Taichung. In Taichung, I visited Miyahara, a building originally constructed as an eye clinic in 1927 and later renovated into a stylish sweets and souvenir shop. I lined up with the other visitors, enjoyed some ice cream, and bought pineapple cakes as souvenirs for my family. Afterward, I decided to return to Taipei by High-Speed Rail. Taichung Station was huge, and I felt nervous about transferring from the MRT to the HSR, but I managed to buy a ticket successfully. When I boarded the HSR to Taipei, I felt a great sense of relief. Being able to take a short trip on my own in a foreign country gave me confidence. This program made me feel much closer to the world beyond Japan. I consider myself fortunate that my first overseas experience was in Taiwan, and I have come to regard it as a country I would definitely like to visit again.
Above all, the most outstanding achievement of this experience was the increase in my motivation to continue studying Mandarin. During the program, I often felt frustrated when I could not fully express myself in Mandarin. There were also moments when I knew the correct expression, but my pronunciation was inaccurate, preventing me from being understood. Moving forward, I want to study harder so that when I return to Taiwan in the future, I will be able to engage more deeply with local people.
Lastly, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my fellow participants and the professors who accompanied us, and everyone at National Taiwan Normal University who supported this program.
This is a heartfelt and inspiring reflection on a first overseas experience, especially the way language learning is connected with cultural immersion and personal growth. Experiences like these often motivate students to explore further study opportunities abroad. At GraddingHomes, we support students on similar journeys by guiding them in choosing the right courses and universities, and by helping them find safe and comfortable student accommodation in Chester when they plan to study overseas. Stories like this truly encourage students to step out of their comfort zone and learn globally.
My first overseas experience in Taiwan was truly life-changing, helping me grow academically and culturally while adapting to a global learning environment. Such international exposure encourages students to explore quality education opportunities abroad, and options like the University Canada West Scholarship make this journey more accessible. With the right guidance, students can turn their study abroad dreams into reality by securing scholarships and choosing universities that support both academic excellence and career growth.
Great read! I really enjoyed your reflection on your first overseas experience in Taiwan and how much you learned through language and cultural immersion — especially about pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. Your story made me think about my own goals in language learning. I’m currently working through the TOEFL syllabus and planning daily routines around focused reading and listening skills. I’ve found doing an IELTS reading practice test each week really helps sharpen comprehension and stamina, which I think would be useful for anyone preparing for English proficiency exams while studying abroad. Thanks for sharing such an inspiring journey!
My First Overseas Experience in Taiwan was truly eye-opening, filled with cultural discoveries and new friendships. To prepare for such international experiences, I also enrolled in IELTS online classes, which helped me communicate confidently and effectively abroad.
Your reflection beautifully captures how a study abroad experience goes far beyond academics—it builds confidence, cultural awareness, and long-term motivation for learning. Short-term overseas programmes like your language training in Taiwan are often the first step for students who later pursue longer international study opportunities, whether through exchange semesters, summer schools, or even full degrees abroad. Experiences such as navigating transport independently, engaging with local culture, and learning directly from native speakers are precisely what make overseas education so transformative.
For students who decide to take the next step and study in major global education hubs, practical planning becomes just as important as academic preparation. In the UK, cities like London attract thousands of international students each year thanks to their world-class…