From Sam (MSU student) - June 23

A Typical Monday

Today started off just like any other Monday- slow. Of course, no one felt like getting up and going through the usual morning routine of taking a shower, brushing our teeth, putting our clothes on, and catching the usual 802 bus to Fu Jen, but we all forced ourselves up out of bed and drug ourselves through half our morning routine.

After school, I decided to treat myself to some good ole American McDonald’s. It was not a good idea. Since I’ve been eating the healthy meals Taiwan has to offer, my stomach had adapted from the greasy, fatty, unhealthy food of America to the easy-going dishes native to this country. My stomach didn’t sit well with the McDonalds and I felt sick the rest of the day. Upon returning to my apartment, my body was telling me to sleep, but my mind was saying that I really need to wash some clothes before I wind up without any to wear. Well, it wound up being just me going. I caught a taxi and told him that I wanted to wash some clothes. He did not know where I wanted to go- which was what I wanted- and I got to use my new Chinese grammar I had learned the previous Friday.

After starting my load of laundry, I sat down with my Chinese textbook and started writing Chinese characters and preparing for our test we have tomorrow. At first, I was the only person in the Laundromat, but then I was joined by a lady and her two children; very curious children that is. When they entered, they noticed my book had Chinese characters on the front and they soon made their way over to where I was sitting. I could hear them talking amongst each other saying that how cool it was that I was a foreigner.

Well, to intrigue their imaginations a little more, I was so courteous to tell them the signature phrase in Taiwan- Ni Hao Ma- which means, “hello, how are you?” This excited these little kids and embarrassed them at the same time. They first laughed and turned away, but then turned back around to see if I had more. I put my pencil down and tested my elementary knowledge of Chinese. We had a very cool, short conversation about who I was and where exactly I was from. Their mom caught wind of our little conversation and did not like that her kids were talking to a complete foreign stranger and quickly called them back over to her side.

After gathering my clothes, I caught another taxi back home and put my things away. Since it is Monday, everyone was just laying around, not doing much. This did not go over well with me, so I gathered everyone and we made our way to get some supper. We didn’t walk far before we decided to eat at a Japanese restaurant called KoHiKan, meaning a coffee café. When we got back to the apartment, we all separated and went to our rooms to study. Our Monday started off just like any other Monday would and ended the same as it had begun… typical! --- Sam

From Mitch (MSU student) - June 19

Today in our first class we started off with an exercise where we had to go up to the board and write sentences in Chinese as Feng Laoshi called them out. It was very challenging for me, but I think it really helps when the pressure is one me and everyone is watching because it makes me not want to mess up. After that exercise we review vocabulary some more and then did our normal routine of going around the room and asking different people questions so that we can practice not only speaking and pronunciation but proper grammar as well.

In our second class we had a quiz where our teacher would call out a vocabulary word and we had to write the pinyin with the correct tone as well as the character for that word. It did not take long but was a lot more challenging than I originally thought. After that we learned some new grammar and then divided into groups of two to practice asking the questions using the grammar and responding with proper grammar. It is very repetitive but at the same time I know that practice makes perfect. Next we reviewed some more vocabulary and went over the dialogues in the book. I really like practicing the dialogues because it allows me to understand the grammar a lot better using it in real life situations.

After class we went to eat with a fellow student that was heading out to meet his parents in Beijing. We went to a favorite Japanese restaurant and then wished him well. I was very tired from studying the night before so I decided to come home and take a nap. I guess I underestimated how tired I really was because my one hour power nap turned into a two and a half hour nap. When I woke up I decided it was time to do laundry. I loaded up all my dirty clothes and headed down to the local laundry mat. When I got home it was time to meet our two Taiwanese friends from school at the school for a night of bowling and games. When we arrived at the school I was surprised to see some of the people we had met doing the English camp. I was really glad to see them again and even more thrilled that they were coming along with us. We took the bus and MRT to a night market to buy dinner. We then walked a little ways down the street to the bowling alley. Bowling was really fun because it is a little different than how we do it back home. After every frame you switch lanes, I am assuming so that no one has an unfair advantage. It was a little confusing at first, but it did not take long to get used to it. We ate while we bowled which was a little unusual because back home they do not allow food near the lanes. After we bowled we went to play some darts and then some video games. I was pretty excited playing darts because I got a high score. I’m not sure how long it will stay recorded but at least I will always know that I made it in the top ten. To top the night off we went to a room that had several massage chairs and lounged in those until it was time for us to leave. It was very relaxing to get a massage but I am afraid I might have become addicted.

When we got home I had to pack and get ready for my trip to Hong Kong tomorrow. I am really excited about the trip because I am going to meet up with a friend from Mississippi State that is living close to Hong Kong doing an internship. I hope everything goes well tomorrow and that I have a safe trip.

From Hannah - June 24

Today was a rarity in our usually busy and hectic schedules, a short day that ended at noon. In my first class, we had a test on Lesson 3. The test consisted of 2 parts: writing the pinyin for the characters we were given and translating English sentences into Chinese characters. The subject matter of the test dealt with purchasing items and different methods of payment such as credit cards, cash, checks and traveler’s checks. This information is extremely valuable to foreigners like us.

During my second class, we learned how to ask people about their plans. With partners, we practiced asking and answering the questions: “Where are you going?”, “What are you going to do there?”, and “How are you getting there?”. In addition, we learned the vocabulary needed to ask and respond to such questions. For example, we learned dianyingyuan is a movie theatre, baihuo gongsi is a department store, feiji is an airplane, and gongche is a bus. After class ended at noon, we were free for the rest of the day.

From Sam (MSU student) - June 16

A Foreign Meeting

Today was a very interesting day. It started off rather diverse because everyone showed up to class at different times. Ben and I were the first to arrive at class, followed by Mitch, Michelle, and Hannah.

Tiffany was out sick for the day with a cold. After our routine of going to class for four hours, it was time to meet our Taiwanese Fu Jen students for our first session of English tutoring. We all drew letters out of a hat to see which group of students we would be paired with; I chose group C. We introduced ourselves, had some lunch, and asked each other questions about one’s culture.

When everyone was finished getting to know each other, we traveled to different classrooms to teach other simple songs to sing for Tuesday’s presentation. I taught my group how to spell Mississippi that southern way. I told them to say, M-I-crooked letter-crooked letter-I-crooked letter-crooked letter-I-humpback-humpback-I. They got a pretty good laugh out of it and after some translating what a crooked letter and a humpback was, they accepted it and agreed to present it Tuesday at the presentation.

It was time to give them a challenge after spelling Mississippi. So I taught them the very first song I remember learning, “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.” I showed them the hand motions, taught them tempo, and the correct pronunciation of each word. Taiwanese students are very, very smart so they caught on to the song and hand motions fast. Then, it was my turn to learn how to sing a simple Chinese song. To my surprise, I already knew the song because it was a spin-off a very popular American song, “When We All Get Together, the Happier We’ll Be.” After being pumped up about learning this song in Chinese, I soon found out that I had to perform it solo Tuesday in Chinese. But I don’t mind, it’s good that we challenge ourselves everyday. Upon returning to class, we were informed that we were about to play a very famous game of paper, scissors, rock. It was fun to play a game we use to make conflicting decisions between two friends half way around the world with people that are a different nationality. It was then time to move into a big group question and answer session. I did not realize how much influence America has on other countries until today. One of the questions I asked the Fu Jen students to answer was what they thought about America.

Many of their responses were shocking. They all thought that Americans were friendly and smart. But, being an American and knowing our ways, I totally disagree. The big difference between people in America and people in Taiwan is that the Taiwanese people are so much friendlier than people in America. I thought I knew what southern hospitality was residing in Mississippi, but there is no one more hospitable than a citizen from Taiwan. Also, I was amazed at how much English they can speak and how long they have been studying it. Most of them start studying English when they are juniors in High School while others start when they are in Kindergarten. Here I am, one year into Chinese and these students have been studying English for six or more years. The work ethic in Taiwan is a lot harder than it is in America. The people here think very highly of Americans. Some said we were very handsome and beautiful, others thought of America as the most powerful country, while some thought our professional sports were the best around. People don’t realize just how good we have it in America until you hear it from someone of another nationality. These people work hard everyday to make a decent living and gladly accept us from a country they look up to into their country. These people are cool in my books, and are welcome to America anytime they want.

From Sam (MSU student) - June 9

An Adventurous Day

Upon waking up a little early, we decided to walk to school. It took longer than we thought and we were a little late to class. Luckily, our teacher was running a little late also. We took a test in our 8 o’clock class. I had studied the night before so I felt pretty good about it. Despite our doubts, we all made pretty good on the test. After school, we went to get something to eat.

Since we had nothing to do in the afternoon, we decided to eat at this restaurant called Yoshinoya. We all agreed that it was just about the best thing we have eaten this whole trip. When we arrived to the apartment, everyone was feeling tired so we all took a nap. Nonetheless, we all slept for many hours.

After we all woke up, we decided, once again, to take a trip into the city. Our destination was Taipei 101 shopping center. On the way, we met a peculiar fellow from Africa. He asked if we were from America and just what in the world we were doing in Taipei. We told him that we are from America and that we are in Taipei to study Chinese.

In comparison, he also was here to study Chinese, but he has been here for 1 year already and plans to stay for another 3. We were amazed that a fellow from Africa would come to Taiwan for 4 years to study. When we reached Taipei City Hall Station, we all got off the subway and made our way to the shopping center. During the daytime, Taipei looks dull and boring like a normal city, but by night, the city comes alive with lights, signs, and many people like us snapping photos, sight seeing, and shopping. The first store to catch our eyes was New York, New York. As soon as we entered the door, I was approached by three beautiful girls from West Virginia University. After our quick conversation, we found out that they too were here to study Chinese. We exchanged phone numbers and agreed to meet up one night to hang out. “Score one for the Gipper,” I said.

Our journey to the city and the shopping had made us very hungry, so we went to the basement of Taipei 101 to eat supper. To our surprise, there was so many restaurants to choose from I had trouble picking which one I wanted to eat at. We all went to separate places, but there was one restaurant that caught my eye- sushi. We finished our supper and decided it was time to head back to the apartment and call it a night. But, we still had one more place to go to; the marketplace. Most of us grabbed some breakfast foods and snacks, but the highlight of that grocery store was that they sold American made Gatorade! We traveled back to the apartment with smiles on our faces and fell asleep fast from the exhaustion of an adventurous day.

From Sam (MSU student) - June 2

Our First Day of School

Getting up Monday morning was a hassle for all of us because we were still getting over our jet lag from our arrival on Saturday. After a shower and getting dressed, we all assembled in front of our apartment to make our way to school. The students from Notre Dame met us at the 85 degree Celcius café in front of our bus stop, and after a few minutes of arguing about which bus to take, some of decided on the 802, and the others took the 513- little did we know that both buses go to the same stops. Before I climbed aboard the bus, I ordered a Cappucino Ice Smoothie from the café. Man was it good!

Upon reaching Fu Jen Catholic University, we were directed to room 220 where the dean of foreign languages, Mr. Lascek, greeted us to Fu Jen. After some opening remarks, we journeyed to room 210 where we were given our placement tests. Adam Jones scored the best out of us all, so he was moved to an upper level Chinese course. The rest of us were placed in the same classroom and begin with the basic Chinese grammar.

Our classes are divided into two periods; 8-10 & 10-12. Our eight o’clock teacher is Feng Laoshi and our second period teacher is Qiu Laoshi. When class let out, we all went to grab a bite to eat and head back to school for Orientation. After orientation, we caught the bus back to our apartment to rest. We then made our way down the street to the Seven Eleven to grab something to drink and went up on our roof to sit and view the city. It is a really nice view from up there.

We even persuaded some people to come to their windows and talk to us. I think they were curious to talk to us because we are Americans. It’s not often that these people see American citizens sitting on the roof top viewing the city. After a while we all got tired of the roof and we came back down to our rooms to get ready to go eat supper. Everyone decided that since we had eaten some bizarre Chinese cuisines that we were going to eat some good ole American style McDonald’s. This is when we got a little adventurous and we made our way into Taipei City. We road the 802 all the way into the city and got off at Ximen. From there, we roamed the streets and shot in and out of random stores scanning ahead for the next best thing. That’s when I heard someone say, “Look!” pointing up in the air at a tall building. In the windows, we could see arcade games as far back as the room would allow. We all decided that it was time for some kid fun. We played arcade games for about an hour and finally made ourselves leave before we ran out of money. After a little more roaming, we decided it was time to head back to our apartment. We reached home in time to find ourselves doing some homework and falling asleep in our bed.