Argus article 1

You’ve spent hours studying for finals, and thousands of dollars on your college education. Graduation day has finally come, along with the question of “what now?” For most, the reply would consist of finding an apartment, landing a new job, etc… But for me, it was a different story. I chose to travel half way across the world and use my education to teach English to Taiwanese children for my first year out of college. Some would say that this decision was a very brave thing for me to do, but I feel as if it is what I have been called to do, and hopefully can make an impact at my Taiwanese school.
On August 16th, I boarded the plane after a tear-filled good-bye to my family. I was anxious to see what awaited me twelve time zones away. I had no idea then, and still am quite curious, as to what all lies ahead.
My first ten days in Taiwan was spent in a government-funded educational foundation with twenty-four other foreign English teachers. Here we spent ten hours days attending seminars and classes dealing with everything from culture shock to difficulties in teaching. Though some of the classes seemed like more of time fillers than actual useful information, this time was very helpful in regard to adjusting to a foreign lifestyle. I was also able to network with others going through the same situation. As a result, I now have a friend in every county of the country and am able to visit them during my free time.
Following the 10 day orientation a representative from the school where I will teach picked me up and we made the 3 hour drive south to the small town of Hsin Kang which is in the county of Chiayi, Taiwan. My school placed me with a host family that lives across the street from the school. I am so grateful to have been placed with the Huang family; they have opened their home to me as if I was one of their own. I have my own room and bathroom on a separate floor than their family so I have plenty of privacy. But, they are always present when I need someone to be around.
Because school has not yet started, I would like to give some initial impressions of the Taiwanese culture. The very first thing I noticed in this foreign land was how everything smells different. This is something that we don’t always consider when traveling; the air, the water, the food, the people. It all took getting used to. The food was definitely not what I expected being a first time traveler. My naivety had me believing that I would have General Tso’s chicken and fried rice for a year. You can’t beat that! The food here is NOTHING like one could imagine. I have gone back to being a vegetarian, because sometimes I do not know what I’m eating and I would rather have a vegetable surprise than a meat surprise!
Transportation is the next major shock as a foreigner. Traffic laws are mere suggestions in Taiwan; if you don’t feel like stopping at a red light, don’t! If you get a cell phone call and want to stop in the middle of the road to chat, it is perfectly alright. The police will only pull over a moped driver with no helmet, or a driver that turns right on a red light. Everything else is fair game!
Finally, my third major shock is in regards to restroom use. There are traditional western toilets in most newer buildings, but in buildings more than ten years old, there is what I like to call a “squatty potty.” I was never informed of this “potty,” and when I first entered a stall with this porcelain hole in the ground, I was terrified. Even now that I am used to this commode, it is still humiliating to use. Also, not all restrooms supply toilet paper, so I must carry tissues at all times. Toilet paper does not come in rolls in Asia; instead, there are bags of tissues to use as you would toilet paper. It is different, but an easy adjustment.
I hope that I have given a small glimpse of my wonderful experience thus far in Taiwan. I look forward to sharing my many adventures with everyone back in Owosso. Feel free to email me anytime kstrein@yahoo.com and also feel free to view my pictures kateintaiwan.shutterfly.com. And remember, a smile is the same in every language.