On October 10, Taiwan bursts into vibrant celebrations for “國慶日,” or National Day. This day commemorates the Wuchang Uprising of 1911 that heralded the end of China’s Qing Dynasty and paved the way for establishing the Republic of China. The celebrations, rich with festivity, beautifully display Taiwan’s cultural diversity and… read more
English
First Impressions of “Ilha Formosa,” the Beautiful Island of Taiwan
In the heart of East Asia lies Taiwan, historically known as “Ilha Formosa” or “The Beautiful Island” by 16th-century Portuguese explorers. This island nation serves as a melting pot of cultures and technological innovations. During my stay in Taiwan’s largest city, Taipei, I have been introduced to an environment that… read more
What to Expect When Not Expecting
Entering the semester, I, along with every other exchange student, came in with certain expectations. Whether those expectations were met or not is irrelevant. In retrospect, the most important facet of the exchange experience is the unexpected. Throughout my time in Bristol, I have encountered unanticipated situations, people and experiences.… read more
Birthday in Bristol
For my very first blog post, I’ve decided to share my experience in Bristol, ringing in both the new year and the 20th year of my life. Embarking on a journey across the pond already feels like a massive change; being alone on your birthday in a foreign country will… read more
Worries Don’t Disappear, But Excitement Offsets Them
I desired to study abroad ever since the summer of 2019, when a wide-eyed freshman me arrived at the great University of Texas for orientation. Among all the sessions for clubs, organizations and societies over those two days, “Devin of the past” felt most intrigued and inspired after talking to… read more
I Studied Abroad … Now What?
After planning my study abroad trip for more than three years (thanks to what I’ve nicknamed “pandemic patience”), my four months in Costa Rica passed in a flash. I’ve been back in the United States for a little over a month now, and my time abroad already feels like a… read more