Studying abroad in the states has always been placed at the top of my wishing list. I have started my English learning as early as since I was born. My parents wish to turn me into a bilingual person, so they have sent me to all-English teaching school since my kindergarten years. Also, they require me to watch a lot of English videos or books all the time. At first, I felt a lot of stress. But then, as I grow up, I gradually find myself loving English. It helps me to communicate with more people around the world, and broaden my horizon on different subjects of learning. Throughout years of daily practice, I think now comes the time for me to explore the real English world! There are so many things to experience in a totally different culture. It is so much different from studying words or phrases in English classes or in books. To me, English is not merely a subject to pass at school, but a system, or a way of life. Therefore, the only way to familiarize ourselves with English culture or to train ourselves to speak like a native is to live with English people, and immerse ourselves in that environment. Also, it does not make sense to claim ourselves an expert in English skills if we never have lived in the states and truly interacted with those people. After all, “A language is not a language until you start to use it.”
I take Exchange Student program as a chance and platform to practice or master my English skills. However, besides that, I would like to take this great opportunity to experience the classroom atmosphere and course designs differences between the western and the eastern campuses. I will pick up optional courses of my interest such as politics, international affairs, economics, etc, and commit myself to class discussions to share opinions with my classmates. I want to know in person what kind of impacts has Trump brought to his people since he came to power this year. I want to feel things and talk to people, not just learning knowledge through second-hand news, books, or hearsay. After class, I will sometimes immerse myself in the library, join activities on campus, or hang out with friends. Sometimes I will travel around the city to see what it’s got to provide. Yosemite National Park and San Francisco are places of my dream, and I’ve got to visit them! I also wish to maintain life-long friendship with some foreign friends there even when I come back to Taiwan. In conclusion, my plan for exchange student program is to learn as much things as possible. Not limited to schoolwork, but also learn from every matter or people that I encounter. Hopefully after a year when I’m back to Taiwan, I can become more independent as a person, know better of what to do in life, and continue my English learning. I will also want to help others in need of information on exchange student program.