Haruna Ono

Exploring Taiwan: Why I Chose to Study Here  

I chose to study in Taiwan because I wanted to learn more about different cultures and saw it as a great opportunity to learn Mandarin. Additionally, I wanted to gain more life experiences while I am still young.  

I believe Mandarin will be useful for my future. I started learning Mandarin when I was in high school. However, after arriving in Taiwan, I realized I didn’t speak Mandarin very well. I’m not confident in speaking it yet, but I continue to improve by practicing with my friends. 

Learning & Facing Challenges  

I selected my school in Taipei because of its excellent location. It is close to the station, making it convenient, and the campus itself is wonderful. I felt it was the perfect place to spend my university life. My favorite place on campus is the library. I think it is one of the most beautiful places at the school, and I especially love it at night. The library is symbolic of our school, and being there makes me feel comfortable and inspired.

Living abroad, away from my parents, has been my greatest challenge. It’s also difficult to live and study while using another language that I’m still learning. I find it hard to understand lessons in class sometimes, but my classmates are very supportive and help me a lot.   

Experiencing Taiwan & Participating in Community 

Besides studying, I enjoy going for walks. It’s a refreshing way for me to relax. I particularly love taking walks at night while admiring the beautiful scenery of Taiwan.  

Although I haven’t participated in any projects yet, I recently joined a Japanese society where I take part in activities that spread Japanese culture with its members.  

I had the chance to experience the Lunar New Year in Taiwan. My teacher invited me to her house for dinner, which turned out to be a valuable experience. I learned about the traditional Taiwanese dishes served during Lunar New Year, each of which has a special meaning, such as luck, wealth, and prosperity. I truly enjoyed that day and appreciated the cultural insights I gained.

Discovering Taiwanese Culture Through Cooking  

What I love the most about studying and living in Taiwan is my cooking class, as food and beverage management is my major. In this class, we learn to cook local Taiwanese foods. I find this fascinating because these dishes can only be found in Taiwan, and it helps me learn about Taiwanese culture at the same time.

I would recommend the food in Taiwan to my friends and family. There are so many unique dishes that can only be found here. The food is relatively cheap, very delicious, and caters to a variety of tastes—spicy, sour, sweet, and more. I believe that anyone who comes to Taiwan will find something they love and may even become obsessed with Taiwanese cuisine.

Future Aspirations: Building a Career in Taiwan    

If I have the chance to stay in Taiwan after graduation, I would like to work in the tourism industry, as it is related to my major in hospitality. In the future, I hope to use my Mandarin skills to build a career in this sector and contribute to the tourism industry.