Last Argus Article - "lessons"

For those of you Argus readers that have followed my year of adventures teaching and traveling in Taiwan, I’d like to wrap up my year with some of the valuable lessons that I have learned or that have been reiterated over this past year. Because I will be home in less than a month (June 26), this will be my last article for the Argus. I would like to thank everyone for the continued support and prayers. When I think back on my year in Asia, two major lessons speak strongly to me.

For the first lesson, I actually formed a personal motto to keep me focused in times of frustration. It pulled me thru many difficult situations. The motto: “Smile, take a deep breath, do the right thing.” This may seem like a simple reminder, but it has been my saving grace time and time again.

Being in a foreign land, I was faced with having to solve problems in a different way. Typically, when there is an issue between two or more individuals, one confronts the other and they try to solve the problem or, a third party is enlisted to resolve the issue. In most all instances there is some form of resolution. That method of problem solving is rarely, if ever, utilized in Taiwan. Many things are “swept under the rug” so that no one “loses face,” becomes embarrassed or humiliated. In Asian culture, one does everything possible to avoid this from happening, either to themselves or others. Once you lose face, the Taiwanese believe it is impossible to regain respect and honor. So many times I just had to smile, walk away from the situation and deal with whatever was the issue on my own in the best manner possible.

Remembering my motto has been vital to retaining friendships in the workplace as well. Something minor that could be mentioned casually to solve a problem or make a situation better, very likely would cause a colleague to lose face. I have learned that it is better to not bring attention to minor problems and just deal with it myself. This process has made me think much more before I act or react. I guess it could be said that it has taken the phrase; “choose your battles carefully,” to a whole new level for me. I have done a lot of “dealing with it” this past year.

Along the same line, I have learned that just because something is done differently than what you are accustom to, does not mean it is wrong. I believe this is a difficult lesson for most everyone, and I am no exception. Obviously, the topic just discussed above is one example. Another prevalent Asian behavior has been a bit more difficult for me to assimilate----chronic procrastination and lack of fore planning. For instance, the school calendar, and other important dates, is not given to teachers for several weeks AFTER the semester begins. As a foreign teacher, I have to wait a few more weeks until someone translates that for me. Also, there has been more than one instance when I was given a responsibility or project that could have been assigned weeks prior but instead was told just hours before it was to be accomplished. The first few times it occurred I thought it was just an oversight, but as it became a pattern I knew it was just an aspect of the culture. Rarely do things get done “on time” or exactly when it was published to happen.

I was told before my arrival in Taiwan that this culture can be procrastinators but I was not prepared for the level that exists in all facets of life on this island nation. I am, by nature and training, a “planner” and “organizer” so you can imagine the frustrations that I encountered. My motto helped work through things like these examples and actually, after time, assisted me with acceptance of many cultural differences. I believe this axiom, or any other proverb-like saying is a great way to remind us how we want to act in certain situations. In my case, it kept me focused on not going with my initial instinct in any given situation but, instead, to step back and evaluate situations before acting.



The second major lesson learned during my year abroad was actually introduced to me in 7th grade, but the reality of that message seemed to escape me until this past year. At the very beginning of that academic year, my algebra teacher, Mr. Jason Schemenauer, made this statement to our class: “extra effort is the key to success.” At the time, I figured he was telling us that we needed to finish our homework everyday even though it wasn’t checked everyday. I had no clue he may, indeed, have been talking about homework, but that in actuality was imploring a life lesson. Funny how you remember seemingly inconsequential things from the past as you gain life experience. I thought I gave my “all” in number of previous situations but it wasn’t until this one that I knew I really hadn’t. Giving an extra inch, foot, or mile in any situation will always bring you closer to success. I got it now.

While in Taiwan, I have applied this principle to my teaching. Typically, on the first day of a job, you are given expectations, rules, and other useful information for being successful in your new workplace. On my first day, I was given the student book for each grade and set off on my own. I was in the dark as to what aspect of the lessons I should focus on, what the students’ English level would be, and other vital facts about my students and curriculum. These things I would have to learn on my own. Instead of focusing on my frustration, I decided to give extra effort and use my free time to create educational games and activities that would engage my students. This method of teaching is hardly ever used in Taiwan so even though the students enjoyed it, some of the other teachers were less than impressed.

Having no translator and students with very limited English, I was faced with the problem of basic communication. How can I explain a game or activity to students that don’t comprehend my language and I don’t understand theirs? I kept the rules simple, but still challenging, and used a LOT of gestures. Sometimes I had to enlist a bilingual teacher to translate the instructions into Chinese so the students could read them. At times I felt as if my classroom was a tornado of misunderstanding, but at the end of most days I can honestly say that I had used all my energy, resources and imagination to do the job I came here to do----teach Taiwanese students the English language. I gave more of myself to this endeavor than I thought I had. Sure, my students learned from me but through it all, I learned much more than they did.

Before I wrap up this article, I would like to share a heartfelt story with you, my readers. I depend on public transportation here, and typically there are solicitors trying to make a dollar at the bus and train stations. In the past, I have ignored their pleadings and looked the other way. This one particular Sunday I encountered a 4-year old girl doing the soliciting. She followed me from the ticket booth to where I would wait for my bus. She kept saying hello and showing me what she had for sale. I asked her where her parents where (in Chinese) and she never told me a straight answer. This broke my heart to see a child, who obviously had not bathed in days, having to sell key chains at a train station.

I would imagine that most everyone ignores her, as they do the many adult peddlers so, I decided to sit with her and talk while I waited for the bus. I have never seen a child’s eyes so bright and face smile so big. We made silly faces and laughed with each other until my bus arrived. As I approached the bus, I looked back for one last smile to my little friend. I wept on the bus ride home. I would have done anything to take that child with me, give her a good meal, and a comfortable bed to sleep in. As we pulled away, I watched her wander around through parked taxis and busses, all the while regretting that I didn’t give her everything in my wallet. I have prayed for this young child many times since then, and know if I ever see her again I will be sure to buy her a meal and perhaps some clothing, and maybe, buy a key chain or two. Amid all the aimless people and peddlers walking the streets, I was drawn to this one little girl. We never know when individuals are placed in our paths for a reason. Although I brightened this little girl’s day, I have this gnawing feeling I should have done more. Sometimes there are instances when perhaps we shouldn’t think too much before acting. This is one time I wish I would have acted more and thought less.

I am not naïve enough to believe this is the only country where poverty is rampant and that it doesn’t exist in many parts of the world, including our own United States. I have now been living for almost a year surrounded by these ever-present “street” people. It was something I witnessed only briefly before and forgot quickly, like when I traveled to the Caribbean or visited a large city. It is just so pervasive here and I am confronted with it daily. It sure makes me appreciate where and how I was raised, I can tell you that. Although I feel a sense of remorse for all of them, my heart aches for the children of the street, like the little 4 year old. They have no “childhood” as we know it and I wonder what view of the world they are growing up with and how that will impact their lives forever.

I guess that is why I chose teaching as a profession. School is the one place where their environment can be controlled and people can impact the life of a child in a positive manner no matter what the rest of their life is like. It can be a place, sometimes the only place, in a child’s life that can provide safety, food, nurture, hope and, yes, tools for the future-----an education.

I am very excited to return to US soil on June 26th, and visit all my friends and family that have supported me through emails, expensive phone calls, and prayers. As for what’s next, I’m not quite sure. My ideal plan is to get a teaching job in the area, possibly purchase a house, and begin to settle down. Because of the economy, I am aware that jobs are few and far between, so I have been thinking of alternatives. There is always substitute teaching. I could return to Taiwan but if I had to go abroad again to teach I would probably choose another part of the world just for the experience. The school here would like it very much if I did return. I guess I just don’t know at this point.

Again, I would like to thank everyone for the support and prayers throughout this past year. It has been a tremendous growth experience for me and most of those around me. I will never forget the experiences I have had, the lessons I’ve learn or the people I have met. I know this, I return to the US a much different and, hopefully, wiser person than the naïve recent college graduate that left Shiawassee County that muggy August day in 2008. I have enjoyed writing about my experiences and hope you all enjoyed my writings. I would also like to thank the Argus-Press, especially Gary Webster, for encouraging me to share my thoughts and exploits while in Taiwan with all of you.