NSLI-Y 2025 Taiwan – Week 4
Nǐ hǎo! This week’s blog was written by Stella, Camila, and Narayani. Currently, it’s Week 4, and some highlights of this week are the cultural classes, history lessons, and a trip to Jiufen. We can’t believe that we’re past halfway through the program. Time has been flying by!
Monday:
In our first class of the fourth week, the Pandas started learning about describing their interests. The Tigers, on the other hand, started learning about describing medical terms, while the Dragons started learning about jobs. All of the classes also had conversation time, lots of roleplays, and quizzes. Although we didn’t have any activities after school on Monday, we were all able to catch up on studying and finish our homework!
Tuesday:
This day was a long one for all of the students, since we had both Chinese singing and dancing class. In our singing class, we learned a new song called “戀愛-ing” (Love-ing), which had a rather fast pace, but a catchy and fun tune to sing along to. This is our fourth new Chinese song that we have learned so far! Shortly after the singing, we moved on to Chinese traditional dance. We first started with a presentation to learn about the meaning and culture behind the dance, before actually attempting it.
Our Chinese dancing instructor!
Students having fun and trying not to drop their plates while dancing!
Wednesday:
On Wednesday, students had their weekly meeting with their Resident Directors, where they reflected on how they have been dealing with homesickness, lack of motivation, and the challenges that come with studying abroad. A few suggestions that arose during the conversation included physical activity, frequent communication with loved ones, maintaining a routine similar to one they have at home, and finding joy in little things, whether it is trying a new boba shop or taking the time to continue a hobby while abroad. After their reflections, they all split into groups and presented to their peers their presentations on current American politics in regards to Confucianism and Daoism. After the presentations and the meeting concluded, a few students went to a baseball game with their host families, but most students went to a local theater with RDs and Shih Chien University staff to watch the new Superman movie on the big screen. After a short 20-minute walk, students bought both traditional and Taiwanese snacks and took photos before filing into the theater to watch the movie. After the movie, we asked students what they thought about it, and most really enjoyed the movie! They particularly loved the message and the plot, and enjoyed the humor and heart throughout the film. After the movie, some students headed home while others stopped at the food court and worked together on homework and studying while getting a bite to eat. Quite a long day!
Students at the movie theater, both in their seats and having fun while waiting for the movie to start!
Sam and Marshall smile while Chinmay and Mike brandish baseball banners
Idhaant, Sam, and Marshall are cheering at a Baseball game! Preston and Mike behind them.
Thursday:
This past Thursday, we met with language partners and did some interviews in Chinese, an important step for our culminating project. Everyone came prepared with their interview questions, depending on their topic, and asked the language partners. This session allowed us to complete three of the six required interviews, putting us well on our way to finishing the project.
Friday and Saturday:
On Friday, students finished their day with another meeting with their residential directors. They had an interactive lesson on the history of Taiwan, and competed to see who knew the Island’s history the best. A couple of students decided to shop at Miramar after school for an hour or two, and others headed their separate ways for the weekend. Students spent their Saturday differently, with some going on roadtrips, others visiting neighboring districts, and others catching a baseball game, yet all made sure to catch enough sleep to wake up on time for their Jiufen trip the next morning!
Sunday:
This past Sunday, many of us traveled to Jiufen, a picturesque mountain town renowned for its unique charm and diverse offerings. Our visit was filled with activities that allowed us to truly experience the local culture and stunning scenery. We explored the vibrant streets, where many people browsed the numerous souvenir shops while others enjoyed tea tastings at local shops. The breathtaking coastal views provided a gorgeous backdrop throughout our exploration, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape and ocean. And, of course, no trip to Jiufen would be complete without sampling the many different local foods, from savory snacks to sweet treats, giving us a true taste of the region
Kelly, Tommy, and Nitya on a picturesque street in Jiufen.
Zara, Maya, and Rohan at one of the viewpoints in Jiufen.
Rocio, Stella, Nishta, Camila, and Nat exploring the streets of Jiufen.
Narayani, Marcella, and Sonam exploring the streets of Jiufen.
Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you again next week!