Hello! My name is Satoko Ito and I am a student in the Resource Policy and Management Course of the Faculty of International Resource Sciences. I was an exchange student at the University of Taiwan from February 2020 to January 2021. In this report, I would like to tell you a little bit about my classes and activities at the University of Taiwan, my life in Taipei, and my thoughts looking back on my study abroad.
 
I started learning Chinese in earnest after I arrived in Taiwan. Therefore, I took classes on history, resources, and about Taiwan in English while taking elementary Chinese classes at the University of Taiwan. Since it is a large university with many international students, there were plenty of English classes and I was able to learn about a wide range of subjects in English. The class that left a particularly strong impression on me was “Women and Taiwanese Society”, which focused on social issues related to women in Taiwan. In the class, we learned about the movements and activists that liberated women’s rights in Taiwan by looking back at the history. There was also a group work session where international students and local students worked together, allowing me to exchange opinions with students from different cultures. Through the lectures and activities in this class, I began to think about my own life as a woman and about women in Japanese society. I also participated in the Japanese language classes as a conversation partner, and I had the opportunity to interact with many students. I was able to make many memories with the students I met, and I am glad that I participated in the classes.
 
In addition to the classes, I joined an a cappella club. I had no a cappella experience at all, but when I saw the performance at the time of the introduction of the club, I thought it would be fun and decided to join. As I practiced more and more, my singing voice became more coherent and I got to know the members better, which was a lot of fun. We were complimented by the seniors and the audience at the Christmas concert on how well we sang. This was a good memory for me.
 
I was able to live in Taipei without any inconvenience. There are convenience stores, restaurants, supermarkets, a police station and a hospital near the dormitory. I felt that the cost of daily necessities was not that much different from Japan, but I think I was able to keep the food costs low. Personally I ate out most of the time, but by buying from food stalls or getting take-out from restaurants, you can eat three meals a day for as little as 1,000 JPY.
 
On looking back at my academic life, I do feel that I didn’t take enough classes. I didn't take many classes in the previous semester, probably because I felt insecure simply being at the prestigious University of Taiwan. From the second semester, I proactively took classes and was able to live a fulfilling life. Therefore, I think I should have taken classes without fear right from the beginning. The one thing I regret about my time in Taiwan is how I spent my money. There is a saying, “Buy one, send one”, which means that if you buy two of a product, one of them will be free. I often found myself buying slightly expensive items that I would not normally have bought had there not been a “buy one, send one” offer.
 
During my study abroad experience, there were both enjoyable times and hard times. Each time, many people helped me with their love and support. Thanks in large part to them, I feel that I was able to grow and become stronger in a good way. Having completed my study abroad program, I feel that now is the time to test my growth. In order to make the lessons I learned during my study abroad experience my own, I think it’s important to continue appreciating the support of those around me and to cherish the present. Xie Xie!
 
Click here for the study abroad experience reports of the Akita University ‘Miraisozo Fund’ overseas student study support program.