Ayra Noor Sangi
Double Major: Asian Studies, Modern Languages, Linguistics & Intercultural Communication
Pre-Departure Post
Hello everyone!
My name is Ayra Sangi, and I am a senior double majoring in Asian Studies + Modern Languages and Linguistics.
In less than a week, I will be flying to Taipei, Taiwan!!! I’ve wanted to study abroad in Taiwan since I was a junior in high school, and now that it’s actually happening, it’s hard to believe that this is real. I have spent years daydreaming and learning the language, so I really am grateful for the opportunity. To say that I am excited feels like an understatement but I’m also very nervous. I am basically a weird blend of anxiousness and happiness. I know these feelings are completely valid, so I am just going to take it one step at a time!
Although this isn’t my first time studying abroad, it is my first time going for an entire semester. I have been lucky to study abroad at UMBC, which has definitely helped me prepare for this experience, but they were both short-term programs. This time, I will be spending three months in a completely new country that is on the other side of the world.
Thankfully, I have traveled internationally before so I am hopeful that I will be able to adjust to the new environment quickly. That being said, every country is different and has its own culture, history, language, etc., and this can definitely lead to moments of culture shock and homesickness. However, this is just a part of the experience, and I have a great support system set up with my friends, family, and program.
Not surprisingly, one of the biggest challenges has been packing. It’s been hard to find time to pack and do anything else since I have been doing a full-time internship during the summer. 40-hour weeks and other commitments have unfortunately made it difficult to start packing, so I am supremely behind (that’s nothing new – I have a horrible habit of procrastination). In my defense, after working eight hours a day and coming home to find an empty suitcase in my room, it can be overwhelming. The idea of organizing, planning, and putting everything in my suitcase is not something I am looking forward to. I wish I could skip the packing process and just get on the plane. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that, no matter how hard I dream. However, I have bought everything I needed to buy, including medicines, new clothes, shampoo and conditioner for my dyed hair, and other miscellaneous items. I got everything I needed, so now I just need to put everything in my suitcases, which will happen… eventually.
One thing I managed to get done was getting my hair redone last Saturday, since the color was fading. I wanted it to look fresh before I got to Taiwan. My hair is dyed in the peekaboo style, meaning it’s hidden unless I lift part of my hair. It looks great, so I am super happy about it!!
Academically, I will be taking an intensive Mandarin Chinese course through CET Taiwan, which is designed for students to learn the language. It’ll be my first time in an immersive environment, which is something I am really looking forward to. Being surrounded by the language is a great way to build your comprehension. I am also taking a Taiwanese history course to do something other than language and expand my knowledge of the culture.
Other than academics, I am just excited to explore Taiwan. I plan to explore the entire island in the three months that I will be there. There are no shortages of museums, national parks, cafes, bookstores, and many other beautiful places that are definitely worth visiting. Just thinking about all the places I can visit makes me super excited.
As the day of my flight slowly approaches, I am just getting through my last week at work and trying to properly start packing. Every time I check something off my to-do list, three more things seem to appear. This post ended up being a bit of a ramble, which honestly feels pretty fitting considering where I’m at mentally right now. If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading! I hope you all continue to follow me this semester.
In-Country Post #1
Hello again! It has been officially a week since I landed in Taiwan, and so much has already happened that it feels like I’ve been here for much longer. I arrived on August 20th at around 4 am after over 20 hours of traveling (not fun at all). I spent most of the time sleeping because I did not know what to do for 14 hours on a plane. When I finally arrived at my apartment, I slept for the entire day, which in hindsight did nothing to help with my jetlag, but I couldn’t help myself.
I’m currently living in an apartment with four other people, and we’re about a 40-minute commute from the National Taiwan University (NTU) campus, where I’ll be studying for the semester. Thankfully, the public transportation system here is very efficient and convenient. The buses run often, so getting to school has never been a problem, though it is a bit far.
One thing that stood out to me about the city was how many convenience stores there are. Taiwan is famous for having the highest density of convenience stores per capita in the world. After spending a week here, I can say for a fact that this is very true. In the convenience stores here in Taiwan, you can print papers, buy concert tickets, and pick up packages. It’s totally different from the US!
Something I didn’t expect, though, was how cash-based Taiwan is. A lot of stores here, especially smaller ones and traditional markets, don’t accept credit cards. My card has already been declined at a few places, which has been a bit of a hassle. I’ve learned to always carry some cash with me, just in case.
After arriving, we had orientation for three days where the CET staff explained everything we needed to know to get around the city and how to have a successful semester. They told us how to get around the city, the different events they have planned for us, and how to live in Taiwan. On our last day of orientation, we took part in a scavenger hunt around the city, and we were paired with local students to help us. My group and I ended up biking around for about four hours, which was exciting as it’s been forever since I’ve ridden a bike, but I was a sweaty mess by the end of it.
The day after orientation was a free day, so I decided to visit Taipei 101, which is the tallest building in Taiwan. I took the high-speed elevator up to the observation deck, where I got an incredible view of the entire city. I went later in the evening so I could see the sunset. The city at night was incredibly bright. I could even see mountains far in the distance.
Classes officially started three days ago, and I am already so busy. I am in the intensive Chinese language track, which means I have class every day for three hours. On top of that, I’m also taking an elective on Taiwanese History and Culture once a week. The language course is definitely challenging, but I’m definitely getting used to it. Being immersed in the language both in and outside of the classroom is a lot more fun than I expected. I’m really enjoying the experience.
I’m still adjusting to the climate here — the humidity is something else. It’s far more intense than anything I’ve experienced back in Maryland. The moment you step outside, you start sweating. Thankfully, I brought a small portable fan which has been my savior. In Taiwan, it is very common to see people walking down the street with an umbrella to protect themselves from the sun. It’s something I have also started doing because the sun is no joke, and when it’s paired with the humidity, it can be hard to adjust. The weather here is very different from the US. Right now, in Taiwan, it is typhoon season, and though nothing has happened yet, I have been told it won’t be long until it starts raining like crazy. Just two hours ago, there was a small earthquake, and my building trembled for a few seconds. During orientation, the CET staff mentioned the many, many earthquakes that occurred in Taiwan, so this probably won’t be the last one I feel while I’m here. It was a little unsettling at first, but it seems like most locals are used to it.
All in all, this week has already been full of new experiences and learning. I can’t wait to see what else happens.
Until next time!
In-Country Post #2
Hello again!!
It’s been almost a month now since I landed in Taiwan, and each day is still so exciting. Time is flying by, and each day continues to bring new and exciting adventures. There is still so much more of the city and the surrounding areas to see.
I have had my Chinese class for a few weeks now, and I am getting into the rhythm of an intensive course. Despite class being three hours per day, they pass by quickly. My teacher teaches at a fun pace and keeps the class interactive. My class only has five students, so I never feel like the teacher doesn’t have time to focus on me. It’s only been a few weeks, but I feel like I have already gotten better at understanding Mandarin. I can pick up on more conversations happening around me, and recognizing characters is becoming easier. I still have a long way to go, but it’s encouraging to feel the improvement already.
One of the things I really appreciate about CET is how many cultural events they organize for students. I’ve been trying to take part in as many of them as possible to make the most of my time here.
The first event was the Maokong Hike and Tea Tasting. Maokong is a small mountain near Taipei. My peers and I rode in a gondola to the top, which had amazing views. When we reached the summit, we went to a traditional tea house. We were able to try different Chinese and Taiwanese teas. The oolong was definitely my favorite. There was also a variety of snacks like dried mango, dried squid, peanut butter bars, and more. After that, we hiked down from the top to the bottom. It was sweltering outside, but the views were very stunning and totally worth it.
Another event was a workshop on traditional Chinese instruments, featuring the guqin, a seven-stringed instrument, and the erhu, a two-stringed instrument. We got to learn about the history of the instruments and watch performances. The performances were really moving. You could hear the emotions in the music and the stories they were trying to tell. It really was amazing. Afterwards, we were able to play the instruments ourselves. I thought the guqin was really fun, and I have even been thinking about taking lessons while I’m here.
The last event I attended was a pottery workshop in the small town of Yingge, known for its ceramics and art. It wasn’t too far from the city. There were many shops selling ceramics. I wanted to visit each one! We were taken to an older building where there were tables set for us and pottery wheels. The owner taught us how to do pinch pottery, and we all had the chance to make something on the wheel as well. I made a small cup, and in a month, the owner will send it to us so we can take it home! I’m really looking forward to seeing how it turns out. After the event, I visited the Yingge Ceramics Museum, where I got to learn more about the history of ceramics and the different creation methods.
Outside of CET events, I’ve also been squeezing in other fun experiences when I have the time. I got my bangs trimmed and visited my first night market in Shilin, which is one of the most famous ones. It was lively and packed with energy—so many sights, smells, and tastes. I tried this cranberry lemonade, which is one of the best things I have ever had. Another dish I tried for the first time was mango shaved ice. It was one of the best things I have ever had. Authentic Taiwanese mango shaved ice is a must-have if you ever visit.
Every day in Taiwan brings something new, and I feel incredibly lucky to be experiencing so much. I still have more CET events coming up and many more places I want to explore. I can’t wait to see what the next few months bring.
Until next time!
In-Country Post #3
Hello again! It has now officially been one month and a few days since I arrived in Taiwan. The past few weeks have been filled to the brim with classwork, exams, and what feels like a never-ending list of school assignments. With midterms coming up soon, everything has started to move even faster, and I’ve been doing my best to keep up. That said, I’ve still managed to squeeze in some fun in between all the studying and academic responsibilities.
When I’m not buried in homework or studying for tests, I’ve been trying to explore and take advantage of the opportunities around me. Through my Taiwanese history class, I had the opportunity to visit the Taiwan New Cultural Movement Memorial Museum. It is an old police station that has been converted into a museum, focusing on early 20th-century Taiwanese history. We also got to see some old jail cells and were even able to go inside one of them. There were seven cells, and although they weren’t that big, in the past, they used to shove 200 people in there, which was surprising to learn.
My Chinese class, which, as I mentioned before, is very small, has also been a great source of connection. We recently went out to eat together to celebrate one of our classmate’s birthdays.
Another highlight was a visit to a local cultural center that featured dozens of small shops run by local artisans and craftspeople. There was so much stuff, I didn’t know what to get. I spent a long time admiring the handcrafted items and super unique designs. I ended up getting these gorgeous flower earrings. I am a sucker for long, dangling earrings, so it was the perfect souvenir.
As part of the CET program, each student is paired with one or two language partners—local Taiwanese students we meet with weekly to practice Chinese and explore the city. One of my language partners and I went to this adorable cat café, where you could paint whatever you’d like. They provided a large canvas, millions of paintbrushes, and different kinds of paint. We ended up staying for hours, and it ended up being a really fun experience. The employees even ended up giving us cat food, so we feed the cats ourselves.
Another exciting outing with my language partners was ice skating, which was a first for me. I had never been on skates before, so they spent most of the time patiently helping me stay on my feet while I tried (and failed) not to fall every five seconds (though I did end up falling like four times). It was a bit scary at first, but honestly really fun once I got the hang of it (not really).
CET also had another event that I attended, which was a puppet show. Glove puppetry is a popular art form here in Taiwan, and CET was generous enough to give some students tickets to watch a puppet show about Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. I will admit that I didn’t understand the whole show, but it was still enjoyable to watch. The craftsmanship of the puppets and the live traditional music made the entire performance a really unique cultural experience.
Looking ahead, October is going to be even more hectic than September. Along with studying for midterms and keeping up with class assignments, I’m also starting to travel more on the weekends since the weather has cooled down a oy since August. Soon, I will be going on a day trip to Jiufen, which is famously known as being the inspiration for the Spirited Away movie. On top of all that, I’m also beginning to work on graduate school applications, which are slowly opening up.
That’s all for now! I’m hoping next time I’ll be able to tell you all about the traveling I’ll get to do. Until then!
In-Country Post #4
Hello!! These past two weeks have been incredibly busy with midterms, day trips, and even some overnight excursions outside of the city. October is packed with holidays and long weekends, and I’m trying to make the most of it by visiting as many places as I can. I’ve barely had time to catch my breath!
One of the highlights of these past few weeks was hanging out with both of my language partners. They took me ice skating for the first time ever! It may sound crazy, but that was my first time ever on skates. I never had the chance to do it back home. My language partners were super amazing and very supportive. They helped me start and made sure to stay close to me. They definitely stopped me from falling a few times (though I did slip and fall a couple of times). By the end, I managed to stand without support and skate a bit (which is a huge accomplishment for someone with no balance). It was such a fun experience, and I’m really grateful they encouraged me to try it.
I have also been enjoying some trips outside of Taipei. Two weekends ago, I booked a day tour to Shifen, Jiufen, and Yehliu Geopark. It was so beautiful!! In Shifen, I got to write wishes on a lantern and launch it into the sky. Afterwards, we went to the Shifen waterfall and explored the hiking trails for a little bit. We then went to Jiufen, a small town located on a mountain. The streets were crowded, but the views were amazing. You could see the ocean from different viewpoints, and the streets were adorned with hanging lanterns. I ate a delicious bowl of noodles right next to the famous A-Mei Teahouse, an iconic attraction known for its stunning architecture. Our last destination was Yehliu Geopark, a coastal park renowned for its unique, natural rock formations. It was completely worth it, and I’m super grateful that I booked a tour because having someone driving you around on a bus is a million times easier than figuring out the public transportation (though that’s always a choice).
Of course, the fun couldn’t last forever, as I had to start studying for my midterm when I got back. My Chinese midterm covered six lessons and many, many grammar patterns that I needed to memorize. It consisted of all four skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Even though I haven’t received the results yet (so who knows how I actually did), I’m pretty confident about it. I definitely feel proud of the effort I put in, and I’m just happy it’s behind me for now!
Last weekend was a three-day weekend because Monday was a holiday. It was the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is a day to spend time with family and eat mooncakes. My Chinese teacher brought mooncakes and oolong tea to class for us to enjoy. Some CET students and I went on an organized overnight trip to Yilan, a coastal city. The trip was called “Blind-Sighted” because we went to Taiwanese locals who were vision-impaired. It was a learning experience on how blind people travel.
On the first day, we were assigned to groups with students and the locals. After getting to know each other, we went on a walking tour of the historic part of Yilan. We took a ferry to one of the islands off Taiwan’s coast called Turtle Island. It really was beautiful. It is currently no longer inhabited by any people, but in the past, over 700 people used to live there. However, the military relocated them to Taiwan as the typhoons made the island dangerous, and the military turned it into a military base. Nowadays, no one lives there, and it has become an attraction to visit. We went to our hostel and spent time playing games based on the Mid-Autumn Festival for the rest of the evening. The next day, we went to Magang, a small fishing village right on the ocean. We had a walking tour of the village and then were able to go to a rocky beach where we got to see starfish and other small sea critters. Talking with the locals and learning more about their lives as blind people really helped me perceive my surroundings differently. One of the locals shared with us how he can identify different types of trains just by the sound they make, which was so impressive. It really made me think about how much we take our senses for granted and how much information can be processed through sound, touch, and even smell. It was a humbling experience and one that stayed with me long after the trip.
We have a couple more three-day weekends in October, and I have trips planned! I can’t wait to talk about them. Until next time!!