August 7, 2025
I’ve officially kicked off my internship in Taiwan—yay! 🎉
Landing at the airport, I hopped on a train (and then another), navigating my way to the internship site. It was a bit nerve-wracking to ride public transport in a new country, but since Japanese people can read Chinese characters, it felt surprisingly familiar and comforting. Traveling solo and figuring things out on my own gave me such a thrill!
Once I arrived, I got invited to dinner with the kindergarten principal, her secretary, and a student’s family—completely unexpected but so fun. We ate at a renowned buffet in Tianmu General Department Store. Every dish was amazing—it really felt like a “Taiwanese gourmet baptism”! Honestly, I wanted to dig in so badly… but thanks to the in-flight meal I had at a weird time, I wasn’t that hungry. Total regret moment—but it was still an unforgettable dinner and the perfect first-day memory.
Hearing stories from a Japanese family living in Taiwan was super insightful. I’ve always dreamed of living abroad, soaking in different cultures, and meeting new people—so this felt really meaningful. They mentioned they met through the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, reminding me just how many paths life has waiting for you.
After dinner, I headed to the principal’s house—where I’ll be staying for a while. Fun fact: she’s connected with my grandfather’s organization for years, but this was my first time meeting her in person. I expected someone around 52, but guess what? She’s actually 70! I was totally blown away. She radiates warmth, kindness, and ambition—can’t wait to hear more of her stories on weekends to come.
That evening, I squeezed in a bit of Spanish study, took a shower, and slept like a baby.
Tomorrow morning, I’m joining a volunteer Zoom meeting, and then my real work at the kindergarten begins in the afternoon.
I’m a little nervous about this new routine, but my heart is fluttering with excitement. I’m ready to live each day with energy, joy, and authenticity 😊
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