It has finally hit me! We will only be in Taiwan for another three and a half months! Did the last seven months just quickly rush by like a category six typhoon or is it simply because I have been having far too much fun to even pay the slightest amount of attention to the calendar? Whatever the case may be, I think we can all agree on the fact that it is imperative we make the best of what little time left and make each and every moment memorable. With that said, I thought it would be best to turn this blog post into a suggestion piece!

Suggestion #1- Don’t linger on the negative aspects of your time abroad. This is a no-brainer. To have the ultimate experience, it only makes sense to focus on the things that make you happy on this fantastic journey. My mood and overall state of being has been brought down one too many times due to annoying things friends have said or done or the absurdity of some decisions that have been made for us. Nevertheless, I try to remember that we aren’t living in an evil dictatorship like North Korea. On the contrary, we are getting a free education in an amazing country, a dream come true for many! Including mine!

Suggestion #2- Appreciate the people you have met abroad. I have met wonderful people from every corner of the globe; France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, you name it! Try to spend as much time as you can with these people because you will never know when you’ll have the opportunity of seeing them again.

Suggestion #3- Prioritize and focus on your primary goal! I have stressed this so many times, learn for the sake of learning! Yes, we must impress colleges with high grades as well as omnipresent organizations but what truly matters is what you can remember and apply to the world outside of classroom walls. We are not here to pursue a degree people! Don’t miss out on an awesome opportunity to go out and socialize with your Taiwanese peers because in the end what is more important? Practicing your Chinese and having memorable experiences or making sure you get that one linguistics assignment turned in on time?

Suggestion #4- Take risks! By taking risks, I don’t mean jumping off of bridges with a rope tied to your waste or driving the maximum speed limit. What I mean is you should step outside of your comfort zone, take every chance you get to practice your language skills regardless of how embarrassing or “American” you may sound, and release your inhibitions and insecurities. Going abroad serves as a tool to help foster maturity and growth. Breathe in the culture, do the unexpected, and live the lifestyle. When in Kaohsiung, do as the Kaohsiungians do, right?
I hope this blog post helped! If not, that is okay because it helped me by writing it!