NSLI-Y 2025 Taiwan – Week 2
Dajia hao! Nishta and Nat here, writing the week two blog!
The second week has officially ended, and things are settling down. Time has passed quicker than we thought possible. It’s been over two weeks since we were in Chicago, and we’re already dreading August 10th. We’re beginning to form routines as we master our daily commutes–many of us continuously extoll the virtues of Taipei’s highly efficient public transport system–and explore this beautiful city.
Rohan and Zara having fun exploring Taipei
Sam, Idhaant, Valor, Preston and Chinmay playing ping pong.
Stella, Tommy, Nitya, Marcela, and Nishta
David, Rocio, Camila, Nishta, and Nat during office hours
Language classes continue to ramp up, and project meetings have begun. The Tigers (intermediate) and Dragons (advanced) were able to put their language skills to use by ordering zhen zhu nai cha (Boba tea) from Wootea and 50Lan. Although the Pandas have not yet covered that unit in class, they were still able to practice their conversational skills through customer/vendor roleplays.
Marshall in line for his free boba
The Pandas in conversation class, roleplaying a birthday party. (Nat, Camila, Narayani, Addyson, Rocio, Leah, Zara, Sonam)
Although this week has been relatively calm in terms of school outings, stay tuned for next week’s multiple cultural excursions and field trips!
Of course, in the absence of school-sponsored trips, we organized our own. Each day before school, a student (or three) could often be found perusing the shelves of the 7-Elevens and Family Marts that line the street. Clusters of students were frequently gathered around the multiple boba shops that face Shih Chien, eager to practice Chinese.
Longer outings were scattered throughout the week, as we explored different spots around the city–both local and tourist-y. Students visited Yongkang Street, Taipei 101, and Jiufen Old Street, along with countless night markets and shopping malls with their host families. On Friday night, many of us headed to the Zhongshan district, eager to investigate the many malls and shopping centers. From sprawling stationery stores to small and overpriced thrift boutiques, to ping pong tables, we saw it all. Although we realistically glimpsed only a fraction of what Zhongshan has to offer, we left hours later: tired, happy, and with significantly lighter wallets.
Stella, Nat, Sonam, Nishta, and Camila
Tommy, Kelly, and David enjoying a night out in Zhongshan at Life4Cuts in Zhongshan
In between bites of local cuisine, such as stinky tofu (opinions are divided), Taiwanese fried chicken, and countless desserts, some students opted for a taste of home.
Students try Taiwanese McDonald’s for the first time
We also used this week to spend some meaningful time with our host families. Stella, after celebrating twice at school, arrived home on Tuesday to a surprise birthday party. Happy sixteenth, Stella!
Stella’s pre-birthday celebration, with a cake generously provided by Wang Laoshi.
Stella and her 16 “candles” in her rice “cake.”
But although hers was our cohort’s only birthday during these six weeks, the celebrations didn’t stop there.
Chinmay and Mike celebrating Chinmay’s host sister’s birthday!
This week, we also had the opportunity to speak with the American Institute in Taiwan about their work and their path to become foreign service officers. Thanks to them for the amazing opportunity!
Everyone gathered together for a meeting with the American Institute in Taiwan
A very informative virtual meeting with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).
To wrap up, this week was chill but still full of fun and learning! Here are some pics from our time everyday at school
Nat, Rocio, Marcela, Pan Laoshi, Sonam, Camila, and Nishta
Rohan and Maya diving into the snack box that comes out during our breaks
Z for Zhongshan! (Sonam, Nishta, Leah, Stella, Narayani, Camila, Rocio, and Addyson)
⅓ done, and we’ll see y’all next week! Zaijian!