Last year, I took the plunge and chose Taiwan as my study destination, much to the confusion of many who could not quite place it on the map, often mistaking it for Thailand.
The majority of travelers would tell you that one of the most notable aspects of Taiwan is Taiwanese hospitality. Taiwanese are renowned for their warmth and hospitality, and this extends to interactions with foreigners.
Now, I will admit, I did not exactly do any research before hopping on the plane. I went in blind, like a kid on the first day of school with no backpack and no clue where the classroom is.
Arriving in Kaohsiung, I found myself lost in a whirlwind of unfamiliarity.
With heavy suitcases and a foggy jet-lagged mind, I tripped on the stairs and fell with all my suitcases while desperately trying to find my way in the subway.
Just when I thought I could not sink any lower, a chorus of kindness emerged from the crowd. Strangers came to my rescue, offering assistance and translation.
They helped me go to my hotel and a few days later dropped me off at Wenzao University.
And let me tell you, navigating the bus system was like trying to crack the Da Vinci Code.
In Europe, such acts of kindness are not so frequent. People sometimes toss you a side-eye or walk away.
Yet in Taiwan, these acts of kindness seemed to be the norm. The openness and generosity extended beyond my initial encounters, shaping my entire experience abroad.
Whether it was hiking in the mountains or strolling through Siaoliouciou (小琉球), I was constantly met with friendly faces and welcoming gestures.
In Taiwan, strangers become friends in the blink of an eye.
A simple stroll through the market or a shared moment at a show can lead to unexpected connections and conversations, even sharing fruits and biscuits just like if you knew each other before.
It is this genuine warmth and openness that has not only helped me navigate life abroad, but has also enriched my experience in ways I could never have imagined.
Taiwan might not have been my first choice, but it has undoubtedly become a special place in my heart and my home for the past 10 months.
So, when people ask me: Why Taiwan? I simply smile and say: “Why not? It is a place worth visiting and why not live here? Its landscapes and culture are just waiting to be discovered.”
Lise Tournier is a student in the Department of International Affairs at Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages.
In their recent op-ed “Trump Should Rein In Taiwan” in Foreign Policy magazine, Christopher Chivvis and Stephen Wertheim argued that the US should pressure President William Lai (賴清德) to “tone it down” to de-escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait — as if Taiwan’s words are more of a threat to peace than Beijing’s actions. It is an old argument dressed up in new concern: that Washington must rein in Taipei to avoid war. However, this narrative gets it backward. Taiwan is not the problem; China is. Calls for a so-called “grand bargain” with Beijing — where the US pressures Taiwan into concessions
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) were born under the sign of Gemini. Geminis are known for their intelligence, creativity, adaptability and flexibility. It is unlikely, then, that the trade conflict between the US and China would escalate into a catastrophic collision. It is more probable that both sides would seek a way to de-escalate, paving the way for a Trump-Xi summit that allows the global economy some breathing room. Practically speaking, China and the US have vulnerabilities, and a prolonged trade war would be damaging for both. In the US, the electoral system means that public opinion
The term “assassin’s mace” originates from Chinese folklore, describing a concealed weapon used by a weaker hero to defeat a stronger adversary with an unexpected strike. In more general military parlance, the concept refers to an asymmetric capability that targets a critical vulnerability of an adversary. China has found its modern equivalent of the assassin’s mace with its high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) weapons, which are nuclear warheads detonated at a high altitude, emitting intense electromagnetic radiation capable of disabling and destroying electronics. An assassin’s mace weapon possesses two essential characteristics: strategic surprise and the ability to neutralize a core dependency.
Chinese President and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Chairman Xi Jinping (習近平) said in a politburo speech late last month that his party must protect the “bottom line” to prevent systemic threats. The tone of his address was grave, revealing deep anxieties about China’s current state of affairs. Essentially, what he worries most about is systemic threats to China’s normal development as a country. The US-China trade war has turned white hot: China’s export orders have plummeted, Chinese firms and enterprises are shutting up shop, and local debt risks are mounting daily, causing China’s economy to flag externally and hemorrhage internally. China’s
RSS