Elisa Bianchi

NTNU: The Gateway to Mandarin Mastery

Back in 2015 when I first moved to Taiwan, NTNU stood out as the best choice for studying Mandarin because of its bachelor program in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language. I had heard that most teaching materials for foreigners learning Mandarin in Taiwan were written by NTNU professors, so I felt confident that the teaching quality would be excellent.

My favorite place on campus is the benches in front of the Wen-Huei Hall. If you lie on them and look up, all you can see is the sky and palm tree leaves. As an undergrad, I liked to lie there after a test or a stressful class, and it felt like a mini vacation.

Embracing Freedom in Taiwan and Discovering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

What I love most about life in Taiwan is the sense of freedom. I don't need a car because public transportation is excellent, and I feel safe going out at night. I am free to choose whatever hobby I like because Taipei is so full of options that you can basically try whatever you like. I feel free to voice my opinions because I think I am surrounded mostly by accepting people who are not afraid of having a conversation. I feel free, and I do not take this freedom for granted.

Last year I started taking Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes not far from school, and I really love it. Because of school and working in an office, I don’t get many opportunities to let my body have a bigger range of movement, but you can sometimes end up in positions you did not even know were possible in BJJ. Plus, it’s a great workout, and contrary to what some people think of martial arts, the environment is very friendly and safe for female students, with supportive coaches and classmates. 

A Full Cultural Immersion Experience

I would say one of the most rewarding experiences was joining the International Docent Volunteer Program at the National Taiwan Museum, which is a still ongoing program. I've learned more about Taiwan's history and shared it with others through guided tours. Sometimes, even Taiwanese people are shocked that I know certain aspects of local history that they did not necessarily know about. This experience has opened up many opportunities and allowed me to meet wonderful people.

If I had to pick a most unique cultural experience, I would say my wedding, of course. I would never ever have imagined that I would get married on an island kilometers away from where I was born. Even though our wedding in Taiwan was not that traditional, it was still quite different from Italian ones. We wore embroidered Chinese wedding outfits for part of the ceremony and had a small tea ceremony with our parents. It made me very emotional to think that we were able to each take part in the other’s culture like this.

Recommending Taiwan: Something for Everyone

I would recommend everything about Taiwan to friends and family, except coming here in summer because it’s way too hot and humid for most people! Jokes aside, I think everyone who has come to visit me in Taiwan found something to like, be it the food, the nature, the culture, or even the stationary. I think Taiwan has something for everyone, and you can totally see that from the souvenirs people bring home. For example, my cousin got excellent tea leaves, while her boyfriend got action figures. My aunt bought a Japanese lucky cat, my mom lots of cute stickers, and my step dad goes home with a new electronic gadget every time. Oh, and they all bring pineapple cakes and fabric from Dadaocheng to my grandma because she loves both!

Future Plans: Continuing a Fulfilling Career

After graduation, I'd like to continue working at my current part-time job. The company creates courses for professionals in the renewable energy industry. Although it's unrelated to my degree, I love the relaxed, multicultural environment and find the work fulfilling.