Hello! My name is Kanoko Kodama and I am currently studying at Lunghwa University of Science and Technology (LUST) in Taiwan.
 
I am studying Chinese and English at the university. Chinese classes are held every day in the morning. I study together with my Korean and Vietnamese classmates. The classes are extremely interesting and easy to understand. Even though I was a beginner in Chinese, I have been able to improve my Chinese a lot. Since I am learning locally, I can immediately try out the Chinese I have learned and apply it to my daily life. Furthermore, there were no other Japanese students besides me this semester, which I think was a very good environment for learning Chinese. Most importantly, I really like learning Chinese because it is a tool to communicate with my friends.
 
In the English classes, the teachers often spoke Chinese, and I had a hard time understanding them at first, but recently I've been able to understand most of what’s being said.
 
I am living in a dormitory on campus. My roommates are three Taiwanese people. They are all kind and interesting friends. They have been very supportive of my study abroad life in many ways. I often ask them questions about my life. We often go out for dinner or go shopping together. In the dormitory, we joke around, chat a lot, and have a lot of fun every day.
 
In Taiwan, there are so many Japanese products and Japanese language classes that I was reminded of the appeal of Japanese culture, products, and Japanese language. Many of the students at LUST are also learning Japanese. After class, I studied together with my friends who I had met there. On holidays, we went out together and had a great time.
 
My friends have made my study abroad experience even more fulfilling. Many of my friends work during the day and attend classes at night. They are very busy every day, but in their free time or on their days off, they often take me to see their favorite places in Taiwan, night markets, and night views. They are also kind enough to help me if I have any problems. I am very grateful to them.
 
Taiwanese people are fun and wonderful people who are willing to chat to anyone and help anyone in need. In fact, I have chatted with people I didn’t even know and they gave me directions when I lost my way, and on one occasion, I even got to be the one giving directions.
 
My study abroad experience in Taiwan is coming to an end. I was bewildered by the different culture and way of thinking at first, and sometimes I had a hard time communicating in Chinese. But to sum up my experience, every day in Taiwan was fun and fulfilling. I also made some friends who mean a lot to me. When I think about going back to Japan, I become really sad, but my experiences will stay with me for the rest of my life.
 
Why don't you visit Taiwan too?
 
Click here for the study abroad experience reports of the Akita University ‘Miraisozo Fund’ overseas student study support program.