Leaving everything you know in the name of an experience abroad is sure to entice excitement. Sophomore summer, 2024, as an undeclared student in LSA, I decided to take that opportunity. Cultural immersion, on site education and diversification of personal perspectives are commonly considered the greatest benefits of study abroad. The outward excitement of it all tends to distract from the most impactful component: yourself.
While study abroad is only a temporary experience, the impact it can have on you can last a lifetime. Taiwan was my experience. As an avid writer, I went into my experience with an open mind and empty journal. Each day, I stuck to my routine of personal reflection, daily recaps and documentation of my feelings. I studied Chinese language, as well as interned at a sustainable energy company, which taught me a lot of soft skills and language development.
I explored down the west coast of the Island, and spent many nights exploring night markets and the abundance of street food. Taiwan was energetic, full of life, excitement, and opportunity. Quick access to mountainous hiking trails overlooking the city view, easy to navigate public transport, local roommates and the array of fresh tropical fruit left little to be desired. Warm, sandy beaches just a train ride away and day trips to historical food districts were frequent destinations on my weekends. It was a dream. And the people I met as well as the experiences I gained truly tied it all together. The friendships I developed cast a light into my life that I will forever value, while the University provided ample resources to intensify my language skills.
Educational gain and enhancement was no doubt a fantastic component of my time abroad, but my understanding of myself was undoubtedly the biggest lesson learned. The habit of my daily journaling, reflections, and attention inward established a greater sense of self. I decided my major and future career aspirations, I gained an understanding of my own perspectives as well as others, and I left Taiwan with the best souvenir money can’t buy: my own personal journey all accounted for in my little red leather journal.
The confidence, sense of self, and personal development was the most unexpected gain I experienced abroad, and I cannot stress enough how valuable my daily journal prompts became. Go abroad. Live for yourself. And write! I promise you will not regret it.
Have questions for Maeve Lyon about her experience on Immersive Chinese in Taipei, Taiwan? Contact her at maevely@umich.edu.
